NSSF Launches Scholastic Steel Challenge with $50K Grant
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), in partnership with the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) has launched a new pistol-shooting discipline for high school and collegiate shooters — the Scholastic Steel Challenge (SSC). The Scholastic Steel Challenge program is being modeled after the highly successful NSSF-developed Scholastic Clay Target Program. The NSSF will help launch this new discipline with a $50,000 grant to the SSC, administered under the USPSA.
SSC Format Based on Steel Challenge
The SSC competition format is based on the Steel Challenge, a popular action pistol competition that attracts some of the world’s best shooters. The scholastic version has been designed so it can be enjoyed by both novices and experienced shooters. Competitors will engage targets from a low-ready position and not from holsters as is done in the Steel Challenge.
SSC Will Have Two Divisions: Junior (Age 14-16) and Senior (Age 17-20)
SSC is open to all eligible youth shooters. There is a Junior Division for 14 to 16-year-olds and a Senior Division for 17 to 20-year-olds. Scores and rankings will be posted online, and championships will be awarded in both divisions.
“We thank the NSSF for its support and for providing an outstanding model for our Scholastic Steel Challenge program,” said Scott Moore, director of SSC. “Our goal is to introduce the thrill and action of shooting steel targets to the youth of America through a program that is grounded in safe gun handling principles.”
“Developing new target shooters through programs that teach safe and responsible handling of firearms is a priority of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and we’re proud to help a program get off the ground that holds so much potential for introducing new shooters to a lifetime sport,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF President.