The Pat Spurgin Rifle Range At Murray State University

by
posted on November 24, 2017
ncaa1.jpg

Murray State University in Kentucky has one of the best ranges in collegiate rifle competition. Beneath the Roy Stewart Stadium, just past the football offices, is the entrance to Murray State’s Pat Spurgin Rifle Range. The range has served as the host of eight NCAA championships.
Pat Spurgin at the 1984 Olympics
Pat Spurgin (later Pitney) was inducted into the USA Shooting Hall of Fame in 2013. Now a Fairbanks, AK, resident, she was an 18-year-old Engineering Physics major at Murray State University when she won a gold medal in air rifle at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Why is this a top-notch rifle range? From the Murray State athletics website:

With adjustable targets and electric carriers, the permanent range features a roomy 16 shooting points. The range also houses an arms room and lockers for convenient storage of shooting equipment.

For special matches such as the NCAA Championships, the range can be expanded to allow simultaneous 16-shooter smallbore and air rifle competition. Media and hospitality rooms are located nearby, with match scoring provided by a custom-made computer program that offers competitors timely scoring results.

Later on in her career as the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Pat Pitney volunteered as an assistant rifle coach for over 20 years, helping the team to win the NCAA Rifle Championships nine times since 1994. She was also a torch bearer for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. At the end of 2014, Pitney was appointed as director of the Alaska Office of Management and Budget, ending her career as vice chancellor for administrative services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Latest

Buildingstagespeed 4
Buildingstagespeed 4

Guide To Building Stage Speed

These tips for building stage speed in action shooting will help you rise to the top of the match leaderboard at your next competition.

More Than 6,000 Shooters Experience An Improved Range: 1961 National Matches

A refurbished range greeted the more than 6,000 competitors at the 1961 National Matches, a number which broke attendance records.

Rich Combination Of History & Shooting On Display At Creedmoor 150 Match

A weeklong competition with period and recreated rifles was held in October to recognize the 150th anniversary of the original 1874 Creedmoor International Match.

NRA Announces 2025 National Matches Locations & Schedule

The 2025 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held at the Cardinal Shooting Center, Alliance Rifle Club, Oklahoma City Gun Club and Winnequah Gun Club next June and July.

2024 Holiday Gift Guide: Rifles

Five rifles that are excellent presents for competitive shooters this holiday season.

All About The 2024 USPSA Alabama State Championship

The 2024 USPSA Alabama State Championship was held at Cavern Cove Competitive Shooting Range in Marshall County, Ala., May 16-18.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.