Press Release

Archery Program Introduced in Alabama Schools

May 15, 2003

Olympic gold and bronze medalist Rod White visited four Alabama middle schools May 15-16 to introduce a new archery program. “Archery – On Target for Life” is a two-week curriculum modeled after a similar program in Kentucky. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is partnering with the State Department of Education on the program. Two schools from each of the eight State Department of Education districts were selected for inclusion in the pilot program. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries provided all of the necessary equipment to implement the program in the 16 schools.

White, who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, conducted demonstrations at the schools listed below to introduce the program to students and provide them with an opportunity to learn the basics of Olympic style archery. The pilot program will provide physical education students with an opportunity to become involved in a life skill that has no barriers. Unlike many activities, students of all sizes can easily be involved in archery. 

School                                         City                         County

Floyd Middle Magnet School          Montgomery             Montgomery

Riverton Middle School                  Huntsville                  Madison

Hubbertville School                        Hubbertville              Fayette

Phillips Preparatory School             Mobile                      Mobile

Earlier this year, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries personnel were trained by the National Archery Association as Level II instructors. Physical education teachers from each of the 16 pilot schools have been trained by agency personnel as Level I instructors.  The teachers will begin teaching the two-week archery curriculum during the 2003-2004 school year. 

Other schools selected for inclusion in the pilot program include the following:

School                                               County

Central Baldwin Middle School             Baldwin County

Andalusia Middle School                      Covington County

Alex City Middle School                      Tallapoosa County

Jemison Middle School                         Chilton County

Eclectic Middle School                         Elmore County

Pittman Middle School                         Jefferson County

Simmons Middle School                       Jefferson County

Charles Henderson Middle School        Pike County

Brookhaven Middle School                   Morgan County

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School           Jefferson County

Curry Middle School                            Walker County

Ider Middle School                              DeKalb County

Questions regarding the pilot program should be referred to Ray Metzler, Hunter Education Coordinator.  Contact Mr. Metzler at 334-242-3620 or 1-800-245-2740.

###