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MSU to Build Shooting Sports, Education and Training Center
10/26/07
Contact: William Taylor
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
517- 353-3048
or
Kirk Heinze
517-432-1555, ext. 153
cell 517-712-3651
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State
University (MSU) Board of Trustees has approved the
development of a new $3.5 million sports facility, the John
and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and Training
Center.
The 23,000 square foot, multi-purpose facility will support
NCAA shooting programs and team sports, the National Archery
in the Schools Program (NASP), and hunter safety and 4-H youth
programs. It will also house club shooting sports --
including small-bore, air rifle and archery -- and academic
programs in shooting sports, law enforcement and related
curricula.
Funding for the center has come entirely from private and
public contributions to the university, with principal support
from John Demmer and his late wife, Marnie. The Michigan
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Glassen
Foundation are also major supporters of the center and its
allied activities.
“It feels great to be helping Michigan State University bring
a world class facility to its campus for the promotion of
shooting sports,” said John Demmer, chairman of the Demmer
Corporation. “My wife, Marnie, and I met at MSU prior to WWII,
and the university has been a very important part of our lives
ever since. Being able to provide funding to develop this
facility is an opportunity to honor her legacy as an important
part of my life. It has been our fondest wish that this
spectacular facility will help inspire respect for the
shooting sports and that it will be replicated at other
institutions.”
"As the developers of the original challenge grant for this
project, we at the Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation
are excited about the depth of support provided by the
university and the many other partners," said Neil McLean,
president of the Glassen Foundation.
The center will serve as the training site for future national
championship caliber collegiate shooting sports teams. The
facility will also provide space for public shooting sports
education courses and extramural enjoyment opportunities for
the public. Two indoor ranges will accommodate small-bore, air
rifle and archery; an outside archery park will include
beginner, field and competitive ranges.
“The John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports, Education and
Training Center will provide our students and the public with
first class instruction and skill development, education and
training opportunities in a state-of-the-art facility and it
will help promote the importance of recreational and
competitive shooting sports,” said William Taylor, chair of
the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. “One day we want
to see an MSU Spartan as an Olympic shooting athlete.”
"This facility will not only enable me to excel in my
training, but it will also serve as a foundation from which
the public can learn about shooting sports in a safe,
structured environment,” said David Roth, president of the MSU
Archery Club and member of the 2007 U.S. Archery All-American
Team. “The completion of this highly anticipated project will
serve as a blueprint for other universities nationwide to
follow."
The center will be open to MSU faculty, staff, students and
the public. It will integrate and expand academic and
certification programming. Among the programs requiring
firearm safety and education certifications are the
conservation officer specialization and environmental crime
certificate offered through the departments of Fisheries and
Wildlife, Criminal Justice and ROTC training and recruitment.
The center will also accommodate state programming and
certification in firearm safety for all age groups. DNR
conservation officer and MSU Police officer certification
training will also be part of the educational training
portfolio.
"MSU and the DNR have a long history of building strong
relationships," said Rebecca A. Humphries, director of the
Michigan DNR. "The new John and Marnie Demmer Shooting Sports,
Education and Training Center is yet another opportunity for
our organizations to strengthen our partnership by developing
shooting sports as a life-long recreational pursuit. Not only
is the pastime one of the fastest growing activities in the
nation, it offers a platform for self-discipline and
concentration -- characteristics that exemplify leadership and
sound decision-making."
Construction is expected to begin in May 2008, with final
completion to take place by late March or early April 2009.
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