University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Rifle Officially Names On-Campus Facility
Apr 22, 2019 | Rifle
Home christened the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range in ribbon-cutting ceremony.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In January of 2017, the University of Memphis rifle program moved back to campus after 20 years of competing at different sites around the Bluff City.
Last fall, Memphis President M. David Rudd and UofM Athletics Director Tom Bowenannounced rifle's new home would be named the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range, after a commitment from Robert Fogelman and his family to help with facility and equipment upgrades and the expansion of recruiting internationally.
This past Friday, the naming of the facility became official in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range. The facility, located in South Hall on campus, is now marked by signage above the range's main entrance.
"We are grateful for the tremendous impact Bobby Fogelman and his family have had at the University of Memphis over the decades," said Rudd. "We are extremely pleased with their latest investment to renovate and outfit our recently constructed Memphis rifle facility. This gift will help strengthen our competitive teams and further elevate our university on a national level."
The R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range brought the rifle program back to campus in the winter of 2017. The 2017-18 campaign was the program's first full season at its on-campus home. From 1997 until their return to the University, the Tigers competed at off-campus venues around the city of Memphis.
"My family and I are honored to continue our tradition of philanthropy at the University of Memphis," said Fogelman. "We are confident about the continued success of Memphis Tigers Athletics, and this project in particular since it is an on-campus facility. We hope this gift will provide the necessary means for our rifle program to compete at the highest levels nationally."
The Tigers' new home provides a range for student athletes to practice and compete in both air rifle and smallbore disciplines. The site has a 10-point range with electronic target systems, live video streaming and scoring results projected within the range. There is team meeting space, secure equipment storage, a beautiful trophy case and men's and women's locker rooms. There is also an area for spectators to watch practice and competitions.
"The transformation of our rifle program has been extraordinary over the past four years," said Bowen. "The incredible generosity of Bobby Fogelman and his family will be instrumental in our quest for a national championship."
Memphis rifle has been one of the athletics department's top programs since its inception in the early 1990s. The Tigers have been ranked consistently among the nation's top 20 for the last few seasons. The 2013-14 squad posted the program's best finish at the NCAA Championships with a fourth-place performance, and Memphis also won the 2008 Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) regular-season championship.
The Tigers have a long history of top individual performances on the national scene. Beth Tidmore won the 2005 NCAA crown in air rifle, and head coach Dan Hermsmeier, who shot for the Tigers from 2011-14, earned seven All-America first team honors and nine All-GARC accolades. He served as captain of the Tigers team that placed fourth at the 2014 NCAA Championships.
This past season, Leighton Dempster and Levi Clark earned NRA All-America honors, and Clark placed sixth in smallbore at the NCAA Championships. Clark also has been selected for two international rifle competitions in China (competing now) and Italy in July.
Last fall, Memphis President M. David Rudd and UofM Athletics Director Tom Bowenannounced rifle's new home would be named the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range, after a commitment from Robert Fogelman and his family to help with facility and equipment upgrades and the expansion of recruiting internationally.
This past Friday, the naming of the facility became official in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range. The facility, located in South Hall on campus, is now marked by signage above the range's main entrance.
"We are grateful for the tremendous impact Bobby Fogelman and his family have had at the University of Memphis over the decades," said Rudd. "We are extremely pleased with their latest investment to renovate and outfit our recently constructed Memphis rifle facility. This gift will help strengthen our competitive teams and further elevate our university on a national level."
The R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range brought the rifle program back to campus in the winter of 2017. The 2017-18 campaign was the program's first full season at its on-campus home. From 1997 until their return to the University, the Tigers competed at off-campus venues around the city of Memphis.
"My family and I are honored to continue our tradition of philanthropy at the University of Memphis," said Fogelman. "We are confident about the continued success of Memphis Tigers Athletics, and this project in particular since it is an on-campus facility. We hope this gift will provide the necessary means for our rifle program to compete at the highest levels nationally."
The Tigers' new home provides a range for student athletes to practice and compete in both air rifle and smallbore disciplines. The site has a 10-point range with electronic target systems, live video streaming and scoring results projected within the range. There is team meeting space, secure equipment storage, a beautiful trophy case and men's and women's locker rooms. There is also an area for spectators to watch practice and competitions.
"The transformation of our rifle program has been extraordinary over the past four years," said Bowen. "The incredible generosity of Bobby Fogelman and his family will be instrumental in our quest for a national championship."
Memphis rifle has been one of the athletics department's top programs since its inception in the early 1990s. The Tigers have been ranked consistently among the nation's top 20 for the last few seasons. The 2013-14 squad posted the program's best finish at the NCAA Championships with a fourth-place performance, and Memphis also won the 2008 Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) regular-season championship.
The Tigers have a long history of top individual performances on the national scene. Beth Tidmore won the 2005 NCAA crown in air rifle, and head coach Dan Hermsmeier, who shot for the Tigers from 2011-14, earned seven All-America first team honors and nine All-GARC accolades. He served as captain of the Tigers team that placed fourth at the 2014 NCAA Championships.
This past season, Leighton Dempster and Levi Clark earned NRA All-America honors, and Clark placed sixth in smallbore at the NCAA Championships. Clark also has been selected for two international rifle competitions in China (competing now) and Italy in July.
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