For the first time in school history, The University of Memphis rifle team has qualified to participate in the NCAA Men's and Women's Rifle Championship, which will be held in Colorado Springs, Colo. on March 11-12.
So what does this mean for a team that had zero scholarship shooters up until three years ago?
"The world," said junior All-American Beth Tidmore. "It's a big deal when you can enjoy the fruits of your labor."
Sophomore teammate and fellow All-American Katie Benjamin shared Tidmore's sentiments.
"It's the reason why I came to Memphis," she said. "I wanted to be on a team that had a chance of making it."
The Tiger squad didn't always have a chance ... or at least not much of one. Just ask U of M rifle coach, Butch Woolbright.
"A couple of years ago, we had to build the team with walk-ons," he said. "We had no scholarship money. About three years ago, that changed. I was able to recruit some talented shooters. It took us three years to get where we're at today."
And where they're at today is big. The Tigers will be among eight teams competing in the air rifle division for a national championship. Tidmore will also be participating in the individual air rifle competition.
Although the event will be a first time experience for most of the team, Tidmore has been to the top before. In 2004 she qualified for the individual NCAA championships, placing 16th in air and 14th in smallbore.
The grand scale of the event didn't affect Tidmore's game then, and it won't affect it next month, either.
"Beth is intense," Woolbright said. "She's very focused. Once she starts shooting, nothing bothers her.
Tidmore said that as long as her teammates don't get caught up in the fanfare and heightened media coverage, they'll be just fine.
As for the teams the U of M will be competing against at the NCAA's, the Tigers have been shooting against many of them all year. The U of M faced Nebraska, Xavier and Army on Saturday at the Great American Rifle Conference Championship in Oxford, Miss. Memphis finished in fourth place, behind first place Nebraska and runner-up Army, but defeated Xavier. All three will be among the 10 teams vying for a national championship in March.
With that said, Tidmore believes there is no reason that the Tigers should be intimidated.
Well, maybe they should feel a little pressure. The University of Alaska Fairbanks has won the last six consecutive NCAA championships, and is primed to win another according to most experts.
Woolbright says the Fairbanks rifle team is similar to the Soviet hockey team that dominated decades ago. It may take a Miracle on the Range to take down the Nanooks, whose former coach, Doug Johnson, is now the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Rifle team.
Will the U of M have a chance against such a formidable opponent?
"Anything can happen," said Tiger assistant coach John Dowdy. "If we have our best day and they don't, it's certainly possible."
For a team that had next to no funding three years ago, just having the chance to compete at the NCAA championships in this short amount of time is phenomenal. Still, the coaching staff isn't satisfied. They're building a program that is getting bigger and better each year.
"Every year the bar gets raised," Dowdy said. "We're constantly chasing a goal that gets loftier."
With an allotment of 3.6 scholarships, Woolbright and Dowdy are now able to attract talent from a national pool, a vital component to a successful program.
"The ability to recruit quality athletes from around the country has helped us get where we're at today," Dowdy said.
Of the six team members, only senior J.B. Vaughan is from Tennessee.Tidmore, Woolbright's first scholarship shooter, was recruited out of Georgia back in 2002. The determined junior has been much more than just a good shooter during her career at the U of M.
According to Dowdy, "She's been the ambassador of our program."
As such, the All-American brings talent, effort, and grit to the team. She also brings 'Team Tidmore.' 'Team Tidmore,' the parents of the junior standout, tailgate at most of the Tigers' big matches and will also be in attendance next month at the NCAA championship.
They bring everything short of a barbeque grill to the competitions, including tables, food and balloons.
"They've made it so much fun," Tidmore said. "There's no way I'd be here without them."
Tidmore's teammate Brian Phillips, a sophomore from Louisiana, appreciates the football-like atmosphere that 'Team Tidmore' provides.
"They're great people," he said. "I absolutely adore them."
Whether the Tiger rifle squad brings home the championship plaque or not next month, coaches Woolbright and Dowdy are heading a rising program that will only get better. And as long as they are continually allotted scholarships, you can expect that Woolbright will continue to scour America's four corners for talent.
