The All-American Program

by
posted on June 29, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
program.jpg
(Photo from the book: NRA All-Americans)

Created in 1936, the All-American award honors collegiate shooters in the rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines. Award recipients are selected by NRA's Collegiate Programs Committee, one of 39 policy-making committees of the Association. The selection committee is comprised of individuals well known in the competitive shooting community. Some committee members are former All-Americans, have served as coaches of All-Americans, or both.

The program is committed to recognizing and honoring collegians that have performed remarkable shooting feats during a shooting season while demonstrating exceptional leadership and character. To be named an All-American is the pinnacle of athletic achievement. Consistent and exemplary performance is a hallmark and perhaps the most evident characteristic of this award. All-Americans also embody intangible attributes such as integrity, respect, and responsibility. Therefore, these highly motivated men and women distinguish themselves on another level. Whether NRA All-Americans continue outstanding marksman careers or pursue other fields such as medicine, architecture, education, law, the military or even space exploration, they accomplish notable successes in their profession.

null
Margaret Murdock (Kansas State University)
The All-American award has become an attainable, although elusive, goal for all three disciplines of college shooting sports. The experiences and knowledge gained in pursuing and achieving the prestigious honor remain with the NRA All-American throughout his or her shooting and professional career.

The selection criteria for Rifle and Pistol All-American status has evolved from performance in specific matches and personal knowledge of the shooter, to move objective guidelines including: full time undergraduate or graduate status with or without team affiliation, average score for the season, minimum number of shots fired, number of matches fired, specific matches required, recommendations from coaches and other school officials. NRA All-American Shotgun honors are awarded to the top ten High Overall National Champions at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships. Places 1 through 5 are awarded First Team NRA All-American Shotgun awards, and places 6 through 10 are awarded Second Team NRA All-American Shotgun awards. No preliminary paperwork is necessary to become a Collegiate Shotgun All-American.

Since the start of the NRA's college honors program, All-Americans have contributed significantly to international shooting. For example, Robert Sandager, a 1936 NRA All-American from the University of Minnesota, went on to be named to the U.S. Shooting Team for the 36th World Championships. Since that first year, the extensive list of NRA All-Americans competing at the international level reads like a Who's Who of shooters.

The NRA All-American Program stands out because of its commitment to recognize and honor collegians that have performed remarkable shooting feats through a shooting season. This emphasis on continuous exceptional performance has been a major strength of the program. Acknowledging the outstanding achievements of collegiate shooters remains paramount to the All-American Program's history. The integrity of the All-American Program has remained intact because its foundation was built on respect for every college shooter willing to reach beyond the status quo and challenge himself/herself not only to meet, but to exceed the standards required of an All-American. To be an NRA All-American is to always accept the challenge of performing at optimal levels while demonstrating exceptional leadership and character.

This premier commemorative book chronicles the early years of the NRA All-American Program. Over the past 60 years (1936-1998), the top Collegiate Rifle, Pistol & Shotgun shooters have been annually selected as an "NRA All-American Team". If you were selected as part of this team during this period, or are interested in the NRA Collegiate Shooting Program, this book is for you. The cost of the commemorative book is only $25.00. You may order your copy from the NRA Program Materials Center 


Latest

2026 HPR LR 1
2026 HPR LR 1

Registration Open for 2026 NRA National High Power Long-Range Championship

NRA High Power Long-Range Nationals return to Alliance Rifle Club in Malvern, Ohio, with five days of competition at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards.

The Hand Cannon: The First Handheld Firearm

ARTV explores the hand cannon—the first handheld firearm in Europe—from its documented origins around 1326 through three distinct types to the eventual development of the matchlock.

Dania Vizzi Earns Women’s Skeet Silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier

Dania Vizzi earns women’s skeet silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier, falling one target short of gold medalist Bethany Norton in Morocco.

Rebuilt Trap Fields To Greet Empire Satellite Grand American Competitors

The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s 22nd Annual Empire Satellite Grand American runs six days in Cicero, N.Y., with 15 events, cosmic night shooting and newly refurbished trap fields.

Eric Harvey Goes Back-to-Back at Gator Cup, Edmunds Takes Lady Crown

Eric Harvey wins his second consecutive Gator Cup Main Event HOA with 183/200. Desi Edmunds claims Lady HOA as Winchester and White Flyer competitors sweep top titles.

A Tornado, a Target Mix-Up and Triumphant Returns: 1992 National Matches

The 1992 National Matches at Camp Perry featured tornado evacuations, a historic target mix-up and dominant performances by Lozoya, Wigger and Bernosky.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.