The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- May 24, 1999

Rifle group eyes future event hosts

The Men's and Women's Rifle Committee recommended one significant rules change and discussed the future of the National Collegiate Men's and Women's Rifle Championships during its annual meeting April 30-May 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.

After commending Norwich University and head rifle coach Mike Hourigan for hosting a successful 1999 championships, the committee discussed other options for future championships, stressing the importance of bringing rifle to different parts of the country.

The committee currently is accepting proposed budgets for the 2001 championships and beyond. Representatives of institutions interested in serving as championships hosts are invited to contact Michelle A. Pond, NCAA assistant director of championships, at the national office. The 2000 championships will be March 9-11 at Virginia Military Institute.

In the only rules action, the committee approved a change to Rule 5.7. The change permits dry firing during the preparation period and competition for air rifle.

In another matter, the committee discussed the possibility of using the USLN1 smallbore target. The committee declined to approve its use for the 2000 championships but will consider the target for the future.

The committee also will research the impact of allowing five competitors to shoot in a discipline and having only four score, and it will determine whether the committee has an interest in pursuing this change in the future.