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

USPSA Accuracyspeaks 1
USPSA Accuracyspeaks 1

Accuracy Speaks: The On-Site Gunsmith Keeping Competitors in the Fight at Rio Salado

Bob LaMarca of Accuracy Speaks provides free on-site gunsmithing to competitors at Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, delivering extraordinary service when it matters most.

The Revolver Ambassador: How David Rotigel Became the World’s Top Steel Challenge OSR Shooter

David “DJ” Rotigel shares how he became the No. 1 OSR Steel Challenge shooter and why growing the revolver community drives him.

Connor Daniel Leads Team Winchester and White Flyer Sweep of Seminole Cup Main Event Podium

Team Winchester and Team White Flyer sweep Main Event podium at 2026 Seminole Cup, Connor Daniel wins HOA and Desi Edmunds takes Lady champion honor.

2025 IPSC World Shoot: Team USA on the World Stage

Christian Sailer won gold by 136 points at the 2025 IPSC World Shoot in South Africa as Team USA medaled across all divisions.

Mount Aloysius Defends MAC Championship Title as Two Mollys Steal the Show

Mount Aloysius College defends MAC championship title with 4558 aggregate as Schreiner’s Molly Mitchell and Mounties’ Molly Miller split conference’s top individual honors.

New: Fix It Sticks Armorer’s Punch Toolkit

Fix It Sticks pairs a new magnetic-socket hammer with 24 punches in a portable kit aimed at competition shooters, armorers and gunsmiths who work on guns away from the bench.



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