Clay Target to Become Official NJCAA Sport

"The NJCAA is excited to offer competitive cheer, clay target shooting, men's volleyball, and women's wrestling as emerging sports," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO.  "Athletics is a vital driver of enrollment for many NJCAA member colleges. The addition of these four sports will also provide a pathway to increase opportunities for student-athletes around the country." 

Each of the new emerging sports have garnered interest amongst NJCAA member colleges as club sports in recent years.  Survey results from NJCAA membership showed an interest from membership in declaring for each of the sports, with enough programs planning to begin programs over the next three years to sustain sponsored sport status. Programs will be permitted to field teams beginning in the fall of 2021 under the recognized emerging sport distinction.  There will not be an NJCAA championship opportunity during the 2021-22 academic year, however, teams will have the opportunity to participate in various season-ending events, whether through the sport's national governing body or another organization. The timeline to begin NJCAA championships will vary based on sport, depending on participation. 

The NJCAA will form sport committees for competitive cheer, clay target shooting, men's volleyball, and women's wrestling in preparation for the 2021-22 academic year.  These committees will be tasked with navigating all areas of strategic planning for the emerging sports including trends in sponsorship, commitment periods, sports procedures, and recommended timelines. 

The adoption of the four emerging sports follows the NJCAA's addition of beach volleyball in April 2018.  Prior to beach volleyball, the association last added half marathon and women's lacrosse in 2003-04.  The NJCAA currently sponsors 28 sports across three divisions with 52 national championship events.   

From LRSC:

Clay Target is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation currently. With the ND High School League showing significant growth with over 63 schools and nearly 2000 participants in 2019. LRSC looked to take advantage of this three years ago with the addition of the Clay Target Club team.

President Doug Darling said this about the addition of Clay Target to the NJCAA, "We are thrilled to add the sport so that these young shooters have a place to continue in the sport after high school. Devils Lake and Grand Forks have strong programs and we are excited to be able to recruit these athletes for the Royals Clay Target Team." He continued, "Lake  Region State College is thrilled that the NJCAA is adding Clay Target as a sport. LRSC has had a successful club team for the past 3 years participating the MCAC Clay Target League.  We hope the Mondak conference adds Clay Target as well. The all-inclusive nature creates opportunities for boys and girls of all ages, skills and abilities. The sport is fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team. Additionally, it's an "adaptive" sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part."

"This is a great opportunity for the NJCAA and Lake Region State College," Athletic Director Danny Mertens said, "Clay Target is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. LRSC is proud to have had a successful club team these past few years and I look forward to us making the transition into an NJCAA sport." He continued, "This sport has allowed us to keep more local kids 'home', giving them an opportunity to pursue something they are passionate about while also getting their education at LRSC."

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a member of the LRSC Clay Target team they should fill out a Recruit Me Form HERE.