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from a wide range of backgrounds and shooting experiences. What con- nects them is a shared love for the sport and the support they give one another. Practices, competitions, travel, and team traditions create opportunities for friendships to form and leadership to emerge. All of this has been strengthened through our involvement with the USACCTL. 40 PULLUSA MAGAZINE SPRING 2026 THE FIELD INSIGH T Participating in collegiate clay t a r g e t s h o o t i n g c h a l l e n g e s s t u - dents in meaningful ways beyond competition. Balancing academics with practices and travel teaches t i m e m a n a g e m e n t a n d a c c o u n t- ability. Competing in League events requires focus, communication, and the ability to perform under pres- sure. These experiences help stu- dents build confidence and develop skills that are valuable both in col- lege and beyond. In just three years, Illinois College Clay Target has become more than a team. It is a community built on shared experiences, strong relation- ships, and a partnership that sup- ports student athletes as shooters and as people. As the sport continues to grow, Illinois College is proud to work alongside the USACCTL to pro- vide opportunities that help students thrive on the range, in the classroom, and as part of a connected campus community. ✪ Being part of the USACCTL gave Illinois Colleg e a strong founda- tion on which to build. The League's emphasis on safety, sportsmanship, and education-based athletics aligns closely with our campus values and helped us establish clear expecta- tions for how the program would o p e r a t e . T h a t st r u c t u r e a l l ow e d our coaches and student athletes to focus on development, consistency, and teamwork while competing at a high level. As an Athletic Director with admit- tedly very little knowledge about shooting sports prior to beginning our program, the USACCTL has shown me why people fall in love with this sport—the community and support that is intertwined into every aspect of the clay target world. From the very beginning, the USACCTL com- munity has supported Illinois College in the launch of our program. From recruiting to team management, they have been a consistent resource and support system. The Illinois College Clay Target program brings together students FUN FACT Last fall, 83 teams participated in USA College Clay Target League programs. W hen Illinois College launched its clay target program three years ago, the goal was not simply to add another sport. We wanted to create a team where students could find community, grow as athletes, and feel supported throughout their college experience. From the start, our partnership with the USA College Clay Target League has played a key role in helping that vision become a reality. KIR A WOLF OF DETROIT L AKES WON THE FIRST- EVER GIRLS DIVISION MSHSL CL AY TARGET STATE TOURNAMENT IN 2023. BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP ILLINOIS COLLEGE HAS EMBRACED THE USA COLLEGE CLAY TARGET LEAGUE by MEGHAN ROMAN, ILLINOIS COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS