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

Echelon Pro SA 1
Echelon Pro SA 1

New: Springfield Armory Echelon Pro 9 mm Pistols

Springfield Armory’s Echelon Pro Comp brings an integral compensator, laser-sculpted grip texture and a steel magazine well to the 9 mm Echelon.

2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot: U.S. Women’s Results

Lanny Barnes and Lena Miculek each won three world titles while Dianna Muller took silver at the 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot.

Kentucky’s Braden Peiser Goes Perfect, and the NCAA Rifle Streak Rolls On

Kentucky’s Braden Peiser fired a perfect 600-53X in air rifle against Murray State, the sixth 600 of the young NCAA season.

Hillsdale College Freshman Orientation Moves to the Range

Hillsdale College swapped its freshman campus tour for a Halter Center visit built around safety instruction, live fire and team building.

How One Postal Match Bridged U.S. and Australian Smallbore Competition

SSAA’s postal match sparked the Hands Across the Sea match during the 2026 NRA Smallbore Nationals, and a U.S. team will compete in Australia in 2027.

Rusty Newton Goes 5-for-5 at 3,119 Yards to Win King of 2 Miles

Rusty Newton went 5-for-5 at 3,119 yards to win the 2026 King of 2 Miles Global Finals at the NRA Whittington Center.

Interests



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