COACHES

Head Coach:  Vic Seiter
Assistant Coaches:  Randy Meadows, Craig Stouffer, Jeff Maxwell, Jason Merrell, Brent Wood, Marty Schaub, David George, Jay Ryan

SEASON INFO
GREENVILLE HURRICANE MARKSMANSHIP TEAM
2023-2024 SEASON

SEASON
September 4, 2023 - December 17, 2023 AND January 2, 2024 - July 20, 2024
The Marksmanship program focuses on preparing student athletes for competitive rifle and pistol shooting. Scoring considers accuracy, but may also be based on a combination of accuracy and speed.  Weekly practices prepare the athlete for multi-disciplined matches designed for either slow-fire accuracy, action steel, or practical and defensive action matches designed to combine the skills of accuracy and speed.

AGE CLASSIFICATIONS
At match competitions, boys and girls under 18 years old are classified as “Junior” Shooters.  There are further class designations, or age categories, in the primary organization we participate in- SASP, Scholastic Action Shooting Program:

• 4TH-5TH GRADE- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ROOKIE
• 6TH-8TH GRADE- MIDDLE SCHOOL INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED, or ENTRY (1st year)
• 9TH-12TH GRADE- HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR VARSITY, or JUNIOR VARSITY (1st year)

INITIAL MEETINGS
Informational Meeting:  September 4, Monday, 5:00pm, SharpShooters Indoor Range.  Learn more about the 2023-2024 Hurricanes Marksmanship team season, practices, events and matches.  Get your questions answered, meet coaches, meet returning athletes, watch a match, learn about action steel competitions and the other events we are planning for the team.

Discovery Day:  September 8, Friday, 5:00pm, SharpShooters Indoor Range. For new shooters and their families- NEW KIDS LEARN TO SHOOT FREE after going through instruction on the safe handling and use of firearms as well as proper operation of a rimfire rifle.  Following demonstrations, hands-on, one-on-one instruction with a coach will be offered to students that would like to experience shooting a rifle.  Rifles and ammo will be provided.  Meet the Hurricane athletes that medaled in the South Carolina State
Championships and the National Championship Team.  See them in action with their guns.

NRA Basic Shooting Safety Certification Course:  September 9, Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm, SharpShooters Indoor Range.  Mandatory training as a prerequisite to join the team.  Parents are strongly encouraged to attend this firearms safety training.  Hurricane athletes are free, Parents of athletes are discounted to $50 (one or both parents may attend for the price of $50).  Preregister at SharpShooters.

Orientation Meeting:  Saturday, September 9, 4:00-6:00pm at SharpShooters. For ALL registered Marksmanship athletes and their families.  League registrations, forms, paperwork, and season preparations.

GearUp Greenville:  Saturday, September 30, 9-5, SharpShooters. More than just a gun show experience!  With gun demos on the range, specials on the latest guns and gear in the industry and special items for youth target shooters, this annual event is a BLAST! Meet team sponsors and vendors that are supporting the marksmanship team.  See the guns and gear used in competitive matches and the swag to go along with it.  Random prize drawings throughout the day including
GUN giveaways!

PREREQUISITES

• Annual Sports Physical (Must have been done within the last 12 months and may never be more than 12 months old at any time during the season.)
• Copy of Birth Certificate (new Hurricanes athletes only--returning Hurricanes athletes already have their birth certificate on file)
• NRA Basic Shooting Safety Course qualification is required. Sign up at SharpShooters.  This course, taught by the team’s head coach, can be taken on Saturday, September 9. There is a written test and a shooting test after the training has been completed.  Guns, ammo, targets, eye pro, ear pro, and training materials provided.  Certificate issued.  There is a $50 fee to secure a spot for parents with limited spaces available.  Returning Hurricanes and SharpShooters Summer Campers have already completed this requirement.  We encourage parents to get certified with their child.  If certification is needed, register at SharpShooters.
• Orientation meeting September 9, 4-6pm, SharpShooters

GUN DIVISIONS
For a limited time, new shooters may use a team gun at practices if they do not yet have one.  A .22LR rimfire rifle is required to participate on the Marksmanship team.  We understand it may take some time to decide on the model that fits best.  Hurricanes will have until November 1 to decide on a rimfire rifle. Suggested models are the Ruger 10/22, Tippman Redline, WilandUSA, Volquartsen, Custom built TacSol or Tactical Innovations
Rimfire Rifle.

Gun divisions used throughout the season are:
Rifles
Rimfire Rifle Iron sights, Rimfire Rifle Optic sights, PCC Pistol Caliber Carbine, High power Rifle, Precision bolt action rimfire rifle with any sight system
Pistols
Rimfire Pistol Iron, Rimfire Pistol Optic, Rimfire Revolver Iron sights, Centerfire Pistol Iron, Centerfire Pistol Optic, Centerfire Revolver Iron, 1911 model

EQUIPMENT
Athletes will need to bring their own gear to each practice and competition:

• Personal Eye and Ear protection
• Gun(s) and appropriate Ammunition
• Range bag to hold ammo, eye and ear protection, supplies, gear, cleaning equipment and tools

PRACTICES
Athletes are expected to attend practice at least once a week.  The season schedule will be released on TeamSnap (our team communication app) by September 4th.  Practices will be after school on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Additional practices will be scheduled on Saturdays.  Home schooled athletes may attend a Friday morning practice.  Thursday nights at SharpShooters provide another opportunity to practice in a competitive match setting. Practices provide an opportunity to develop skills and friendships while surrounded by
teammates, coaches and instructors encouraging each other to improve.  Practices will be used to review safety standards; to learn and exercise a particular shooting discipline; to prepare for specific upcoming matches; to understand a course and its rules; and to achieve individual NRA skill qualification level medals.  For those wanting to participate in a match, squads of 4 athletes in the same division will be formed based on results at practice and results from matches. The Team will host several local matches in the upstate competing against other individuals and/or teams in the area.  In addition to those matches, the team participates within several other leagues, organizations, and qualifiers.

SHOOTING LEAGUES AND ASSOCIATIONS

NRA MQP-National Rifle Association Marksmanship Qualification Program:  This is an individual skill development program that challenges the shooter to meet specific target accuracy requirements to earn qualification level ratings.  The first rating is called ProMarksman, then they will move on to Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and finally the highest achievement level available, the Distinguished Expert.  We focus on 3 Divisions:  Pistol, Rimfire Rifle, and America’s Rifle Challenge.  Athletes are awarded certificates, patches, medals and pins.

SASP-Scholastic Action Shooting Program:  Speed shooting on steel plates with rifles and pistols.  There are 4 age classifications.  Elementary, Middle, High School and Collegiate athletes compete in State, Regional and National Championship Matches each year.  SASP is the largest youth action shooting organization in the world. 2,500 competitors attend the SASP National Championships in Ohio for a week in July. There are 10 gun divisions.  An athlete may select to compete in multiple divisions from the 3 rifle, 2 revolver and 5 pistol
divisions available. The gun division is based on caliber (.22 rimfire or 9mm centerfire) and the gun’s sight system (iron sights or electronic optics without magnification).  A match consists of 4 stages.  Each stage is unique, but all 4 stages each have 5 steel plates that are arranged in various configurations, heights and distances.  The steel plates differ in size and shape, including 10” round, 12” round and 18x24” rectangles.  An athlete’s score is based on the time it takes to hit all 5 plates, which is called a string.  In a string, the first 4 of 5 plates may be shot in any order as long as the designated “Stop” plate is hit last.  Guns may be loaded with up to 11 rounds of ammunition per string.  Each of the 4 stages is shot 5 times in a row.  For scoring, the worst time is thrown out and the 4 fastest string times are added together for a stage score.   The 4 stage scores are added together for a competitors match score.  Awards for each gun division in each classification are given to a squad of 4 athletes competing together, as well as to individual athletes finishing in the top 3 at a match. The team has had a blast traveling to SASP matches in Belton SC, Talladega AL, Savannah, GA, Orlando FL, and Columbus OH.  Visit mysasp.com for details.

SCSA-Steel Challenge Shooting Association:  Speed shooting on steel plates with rifles and pistols.  Very similar to SASP, but more difficult.  Up to 8 stages.  There are 13 gun divisions to choose from.  Age categories include junior competitors under 18, regular competitors 18-54, and senior competitors over 55.  The Hurricanes compete at the Belton Gun Club in monthly matches.  State, National and World match competitions are held annually.  Visit scsa.org for details.

USSG- Upstate Sport Shooting Group:  Weekly indoor match competitions that rotate monthly at SharpShooters Indoor Range on Thursday evenings.  1st Thursday Bowling pin using a PCC centerfire rifle and/or pistol, 2nd Thursday Falling Steel Plates with rimfire rifle and/or pistol, 3rd Thursday Bullseye pistol and/or rifle, 4th Thursday Outlaw Steel Challenge with rimfire rifle and/or pistol, 5th Thursday Action Rifle, any caliber.

GSSF-Glock Sport Shooting Foundation:  There are both indoor league and outdoor match competitions throughout the year.  Any semi auto Glock model may be used and will determine the division you compete in. The monthly indoor league in Greenville is held at SharpShooters Indoor Range.  Competitors shoot at one target moved to 5 separate distances and are scored for accuracy.  The outdoor match has 3 stages (Glock M,
Glock Plates, and 5 to Glock) that combine speed and accuracy.  Cardboard bullseye targets and steel plates are used.  Awards- plaques, prizes, guns, gear and cash awards for adults, juniors and seniors.  The team plans to compete at matches in Greenville, Belton, Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah, and Talladega this season.   Visit
https://gssf.pro/outdoor-matches/rules/ for details.

IDPA-International Defensive Pistol Association:  For the trained, advanced competitor, this is a practical action pistol match using holster draw, concealment, cover, movement, and reloading.  There are multiple targets to acquire and other targets to avoid.  Indoor matches are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month at SharpShooters.  Outdoor matches are held monthly- one in Anderson and one in Belton.
There are additional competitions scheduled, TBA on the TeamSnap app.

RESPONSIBILITIES
To remain on the Hurricanes Marksmanship Team, athletes must follow the safety rules below and always be quick to follow all instructions given by Range Safety Officers, Coaches, Instructors and adult assistants.

• All guns must remain empty and cased until a coach instructs them to uncase.
• Always keep the gun muzzle in front of all flesh, pointed in a safe direction at your target down range.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger until instructed to fire and you see your sights are on your target.
• Always know your target and what is beyond it. Be aware of your surroundings.
• Always keep the gun unloaded until instructed to load, only at the firing line.
• Always assume all guns are loaded and treat them safely with the well-being of others in mind.
• Always listen carefully to important instructions given by coaches and range officers.
• No horseplay, yelling, pushing, touching, grabbing, jumping or running on the range.
• No threatening words or gestures, written, verbal or physical.  These will NOT be tolerated, whether meant to be funny or otherwise.

SEASON COSTS
Your registration fee pays for a team uniform (shooting jersey, long sleeve T, hoodie, shorts and at least one other t-shirt), individual range membership to SharpShooters (an upgrade to a family membership may be purchased for an additional $100), free access to other facilities and ranges, Awards, 1,000 rounds of .22 match competition ammunition, Private coaching sessions, squad coaching sessions, 5 match entry fees, targets, annual dues for SASP, Hurricanes organization overhead fees, use of team guns and targets throughout the season, team insurance coverage, fees that organizations charge for registering a team and their coaches which are needed for participation in matches. Most athletes will have their season registration fee paid for by sponsors.  Businesses may benefit from a tax deductible donation of at least $500 when they support our community youth development organization.  At registration, there are 4 payment options:

1) Secure a sponsor before September 9, and receive a discount code to register free.

2) Work toward finding a sponsor to pay your season registration fee. Select to pay $199 at registration, and commit to attend fundraisers, fill out a Sponsor lead form with at least five potential contacts to support the Hurricanes, then when your support comes in, you will receive a credit of at least the $199 you paid initially.

3) No sponsor needed, choose the payment plan instead. Select to pay $199 at registration, then an additional $100/month for 3 months will be charged on your credit card.  (If a sponsor is found later, you will be reimbursed what you have already paid or receive a credit to use for ammo/match fees/gear depending on the sponsor’s level of support.)

4) Select to pay for the entire season in full for $449 without using a sponsor,.  (If you secure a sponsor later, you will receive a minimum $500 credit for ammo/match fees/gear depending on the sponsors level of support.)

Additional expenses include:

• Ammunition
• Personal eye and ear protection
• Match entry fees
• Guns
• Cases
• Cleaning kit
• Optional gun upgrades
• Travel expenses
• Optional shirts, jackets, hoodies, hats, holsters, belts, mag carriers

AMMUNITION
.22LR for rimfire rifles and pistols.
9mm for centerfire rifles and pistols.
The amount of ammo needed in a season is dependent on an athlete’s participation level in practices and matches.  Plan on a minimum of 1,000 rounds of .22LR ammunition in the first half of the season.  Several athletes that enjoy being active will shoot 5,000-10,000 rounds of .22.  World class shooters can shoot 70,000-120,000 rounds a season. If shooting 9mm, most athletes go through 1,000-3,000 rounds a season, or more.  The team attempts to keep ammo on hand to sell at a discounted price.  There is no additional charge for tax or shipping through team purchasing.  Prices fluctuate, but currently, pricing for the team is as follows: .22LR cci mini mag, high velocity 1235 fps, 40 grain, copper plated round nose
FREE Each athlete receives their first 1,000 rounds of rimfire ammo
$10 100 rounds
$45 500 rounds
$80 1,000 rounds

9mm American Patriot match grade factory new brass, low velocity 870 fps, 147 grain, copper plated round nose, low recoil with 127 Power Factor
$40 100 rounds
$190 500 rounds
$370 1000 rounds

COMMUNICATION
App:  Download the TeamSnap app on your smart phone.
Website:  Hurricane Marksmanship Page:  greenvillehurricanes.com/marksmanship
Facebook:  Greenville Hurricanes Marksmanship
Instagram:  hurricanes marksmanship

UNIFORM

Each Hurricanes Marksmanship athlete will receive a Team Shooting jersey, Short sleeve T-Shirt, Hoodie, and Long sleeve T-Shirt.  Other T-Shirts are given to competitors throughout the 2023-2024 season.

SUPPORT THE TEAM

Be a part of an exciting character building sport by investing in the lives of our future leaders.  You can sponsor an athlete's season, or sponsor a match when you support youth development in our community with a minimum $500 tax deductible donation to our nonprofit organization.  Further details and questions-vic@SharpShootersIndoorRange.com or text Vic at (864)363-3805. We appreciate all the great support the team receives each year and recognize our sponsors by placing their logos on the back of one of our team shirts as well as on our team banner that travels to matches with us.  We send out posts on social media to recognize those that support youth sports in our community.  Or, if you wish
to remain anonymous, benefit with your tax deductible donation.

Midway USA Endowment Fund
Matching Funds are given to our team when contributions are made to the Greenville Hurricanes Marksmanship
Team ID: R16032 https://www.midwayusafoundation.org/givenow/
Enter to win Guns and prizes in random drawings at specified times throughout the season at SharpShooters
Indoor Range, 1345 Rutherford Rd, Greenville, SC 29609

FORMS & DOCUMENTS

SASP Official Handbook, and other forms - https://mysasp.com/resources-and-forms/

Hurricanes Handbook - https://www.greenvillehurricanes.com/handbook/

https://scsa.org/
https://gssf.pro/
https://appleseedinfo.org/
https://uspsa.org/
https://www.idpa.com/
https://www.sassnet.com/

EVENTS / WORKSHOPS

Stop the Bleed Certification
Law Enforcement Workshops- K9, SRT/QRT, Careers, Programs
National Night Out
LEO Appreciation Day
Veterans Day Appreciation Lunch
United States History, the uniforms and firearms of war
Rifle Maintenance
Pistol Maintenance
Ammunition and Firearm manufacturing plant tours
NRA Basic Shooting Safety Course
SASP Season Orientation
NRA Skill Qualification
Steel Challenge Clinic
Project Appleseed Event
IDPA and USPSA Workshop for Action Shooting Sports Match Competitions
Summer Marksmanship Camp at SharpShooters Greenville