The Murray State Rifle Team has made significant progress in athlete preparation, team unity, and spectator engagement, thanks to a successful Range Development project funded in part by a $29,000 grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation.
What is a Range Development Grant?
Through the Foundation’s Range Development grant program, programs can apply for funding to build, upgrade, or expand their training and competition facilities. The goal is to create spaces that not only improve athlete performance but also enhance safety, attract spectators, and grow participation in youth shooting sports. Murray State’s project is a perfect example of how these grants can transform a program.
From Vision to Rifle Suite
To strengthen their mental performance program, the Murray State Rifle Team needed a dedicated space off the range. Their athletic department offered an area that became the foundation for the new “Rifle Suite.” Using the grant funding, university surplus resources, sponsor support, and hands-on work from the team, they turned this vision into reality.
The suite now includes a full-sized classroom for video review, team meetings, and mental training exercises. Two smaller “team rooms” give athletes places to study, prepare for matches, and decompress on competition days. Each is equipped with TVs for match streaming and performance review.
Nutrition & Recovery Station
The nutrition area will give athletes a clean, dedicated space to share meals and refuel after early practices. Equipped with donated counters, a Pepsi-sponsored refrigerator, folding tables, and a microwave, this upgrade adds a resource that’s common in other sports but rare in rifle programs.
Enhancing the Fan Experience
The team also invested in upgraded displays that make matches more exciting and easier to follow. Pre-match videos now introduce athletes and the sport to spectators. New downrange display boards can show live team scores, bringing the high-pressure feel of finals into regular-season competition.
A Space That Inspires
Visitors to the Rifle Suite are welcomed by an impressive entry lobby and a brand-new trophy case, a fitting showcase for the team’s hard-earned successes.
The Murray State Rifle Team’s project demonstrates the impact of the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Range Development grants. These grants combine financial support with creativity, resourcefulness, and hard work to create a training environment that sets athletes up for success now and for years to come.