Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program

Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) provides youth ages 9 through the 12th grade and college an opportunity to participate in the three main shotgun shooting disciplines—trap, skeet, and sporting clays—with peers from across the state.

Safety is our first priority. All participants must pass a certified Hunter Education course and receive additional training. All coaches receive multi-day, in classroom, safety, and hands-on shotgun training. Scholastic clay target shooting has proven to be among the safest sports available in schools today.

Tennessee SCTP teaches

Three athletes walking in a field
Safe firearm handling
Athlete properly throwing away shells
Responsibility
Two athletes
Leadership
Team of athletes
Teamwork
Two athletes fish bumping
Healthy competition

Find a TEAM

There are more than 80 teams across the state. Many are part of public or private schools, others serve an entire county. To find your team, complete the form below and we will contact you.

      Interested in starting a new team or don’t see one in your area? Complete this form and we will help you get started!

      FAQs

      When can I start participating with a team?

      Complete this form and we will get you connected with the head coach of the team that best fits your needs.
      Find a team>>

      What do I need to get started?

      The only items required besides a Hunters Education certification are these five pieces of equipment:

        1. Shotgun (12 or 20 gauge)
        2. Hearing protection
        3. Shooting glasses
        4. Ammunition
        5. Shooting vest or pouch

      To learn about other shooting sports essentials, click here.

      Where can I find Hunter Education classes?

      All Tennessee SCTP athletes are required to complete an agency-approved hunter education course. Classes are available online and in person.

      Find a class>>

      Are shooting sports safe? Yes!

      Yes! Shooting sports are proven to be one of the safest scholastic sports there are. According to American Sports Data, Inc., trap and skeet have one of the lowest occurrences of injury of any sport — 0.4 per 100 participants. Sports with higher occurrences of injuries include golf (1.0), gymnastics (2.9), baseball (5.8), basketball (7.6), ice hockey (15.9), and football (18.8).

      Safety is the first and foremost rule in all shooting sports and certainly within Tennessee SCTP. Firearms are unloaded 99 percent of the time and athletes must complete a Hunter Education course prior to stepping onto a Tennessee SCTP shooting range.

      Find a Hunter Education Class >>

      How do I know our coach is qualified?

      All head and assistant coaches must complete coaches’ training and pass a background check.

      Coach training classes approved by the Federation include NRA Level 1 Shotgun Coach course and SSSF Basic Shotgun Shooting Sports Coach Training

      How do I become a coach?

      Visit our Coaches page to learn more about Tennessee SCTP coaches, requirements, and access resources.

      tnwf.org/coach

      What time of the year is the regular season?

      Most teams begin practicing in February and March depending on the weather, but some teams practice year-round. Regional, state and national tournaments are held in May, June, and July, respectively.

      Is Tennessee SCTP insured?

      Coaches and teams are covered by a robust insurance policy. Contact us for more information on specifics.

      Does Tennessee SCTP offer college scholarships?

      All current Tennessee SCTP athletes who are graduating high school seniors and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 can and are encouraged to apply to the three SCTP scholarships we offer. The submission links for completed applications can be found on each of the scholarship requirement documents below.

      1. Robert E. Tipton Memorial Scholarship
      2. Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program Scholarship
      3. Dr. John O. Gayden Memorial Scholarship
      Are there universities and colleges that offer shooting sports at the collegiate level?

      More than 100 colleges and universities have teams or clubs. Many are student-run teams, but a few offer athletic scholarships! This includes six schools in Tennessee—Bethel University, Bryan College, UT Knoxville, UT Martin, UT Southern, and Vanderbilt University. Tennessee SCTP athletes interested in competing at the collegiate level should check out these schools to find the best match for their educational goals while continuing to compete.

      All athletes interested in being considered for a scholarship for shotgun sports are urged to keep a shotgun journal/diary to present to coaches when applying.

      Alexandria Tech & Community College
      Alexandria, Minnesota

      Angelo State University
      San Angelo, Texas

      Arizona Christian University
      Glendale, Arizona

      Arizona State University
      Tempe, Arizona

      Army West Point
      West Point, New York

      Auburn University
      Auburn, Alabama

      Bethel University
      McKenzie, Tennessee

      Boise State University
      Boise, Idaho

      Bryan College
      Dayton, Tennessee

      Central Lakes College
      Brainerd, Minnesota

      Clemson University
      Clemson, South Carolina

      Coe College
      Cedar Rapids, Iowa

      College of William and Mary
      Williamsburg, Virginia

      Colorado State University
      Fort Collins, Colorado

      Concordia University, Nebraska
      Seward, Nebraska

      Concordia University, Wisconsin
      Mequon, Wisconsin

      Connors State College 
      Warner, Oklahoma

      Doane University
      Crete, Nebraska

      Drury University
      Springfield, Missouri

      Eastern Kentucky University
      Richmond, Kentucky

      Eastern Oregon University
      La Grande, Oregon

      Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
      Daytona Beach, Florida

      Emmanuel College
      Franklin Springs, Georgia

      Florida State University
      Tallahassee, Florida

      Fort Hays State University
      Fort Hays, Kansas

      Fresno State
      Fresno, California

      George Mason University
      Fairfax, Virginia

      Georgia College
      Milledgeville, Georgia

      Georgia Southern University
      Statesboro, Georgia

      Grace College
      Winona Lake, Indiana

      Grand View University
      Des Moines, Iowa

      Hannibal-LaGrange University
      Hannibal, Missouri

      Hastings College
      Hastings, Nebraska

      Hawkeye Community College
      Waterloo, Iowa

      Hillsdale College
      Hillsdale, Michigan

      Indian Hills Community College
      Centerville, Iowa

      Iowa Central Community College
      Fort Dodge, Iowa

      Iowa Lakes Community College
      Estherville, Iowa

      Iowa State University
      Ames, Iowa

      Iowa Western
      Council Bluffs, Iowa

      Itasca Community College
      Grand Rapids, Minnesota

      Jacksonville University
      Jacksonville, Florida

      James Madison University
      Harrisonburg, Virginia

      Kansas State University
      Manhattan, Kansas

      Kent State University
      Kent, Ohio

      Lake Region State College
      Devils Lake, North Dakota

      Lake Superior College
      Duluth, Minnesota

      Liberty University
      Lynchburg, Virginia

      Lindenwood University
      Saint Charles, Missouri

      Lyon College
      Batesville, Arkansas

      McPherson College
      McPherson, Kansas

      Michigan State University
      East Lansing, Michigan

      Midland University
      Fremont, Nebraska

      Mississippi College
      Clinton, Mississippi

      Mississippi State University
      Starkville, Mississippi

      Missouri University of Science and Technology
      Rolla, Missouri

      Missouri Valley College
      Marshall, Missouri

      Mitchell Technical Institute
      Mitchell, South Dakota

      Montreat College
      Montreat, North Carolina

      Mount Aloysius College
      Cresson, Pennsylvania

      Mount Marty College
      Yankton, South Dakota

      Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
      Curtis, Nebraska

      North Dakota State University
      Fargo, North Dakota

      Northeastern University
      Boston, Massachusetts

      Northwest Community College
      Powell, Wyoming

      Northwest Iowa Community College
      Sheldon, Iowa

      Northwest Kansas Technical College
      Goodland, Kansas

      Oklahoma Panhandle State University
      Goodwell, Oklahoma

      Oklahoma State University
      Stillwater, Oklahoma

      Olivet College
      Olivet, Michigan

      Pine Technical & Community College
      Pine City, Minnesota

      Pratt Community College
      Pratt, Kansas

      Purdue University
      West Lafayette, Indiana

      Radford University
      Radford, Virginia

      Ridgewater College
      Hutchison and Wilmar, Minnesota

      Sam Houston State University
      Huntsville, Texas

      Schreiner University
      Kerrville, Texas

      Simpson College
      Indianola, Iowa

      Southeastern Community College
      West Burlington, Iowa

      Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
      Edwardsville, Illinois

      South Dakota State University
      Brookings, South Dakota

      Southeastern Illinois College
      Harrisburg, Illinois

      Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
      Fennimore, Wisconsin

      Southwestern Community College
      Creston, Iowa

      Stetson University
      DeLand, Florida

      Tarleton State University
      Stephenville, Texas

      Texas A&M University
      College Station, Texas

      Texas A&M, Corpus Christi
      Corpus Christi, Texas

      Texas State University
      San Marcos, Texas

      Texas Tech University
      Lubbock, Texas

      University of the Incarnate Word
      San Antonio, Texas

      University of Alabama
      Tuscaloosa, Alabama

      University of Arizona
      Tucson, Arizona

      University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
      Colorado Springs, Colorado

      University of Delaware
      Newark, Delaware

      University of Georgia
      Athens, Georgia

      University of Idaho
      Moscow, Idaho

      University of Illinois
      Champaign, Illinois

      University of Iowa
      Iowa City, Iowa

      University of Jamestown
      Jamestown, North Dakota

      University of Kentucky
      Lexington, Kentucky

      University of Lousiana
      Lafayette, Lousiana

      University of Maryland
      College Park, Maryland

      University of Missouri
      Columbia, Missouri

      University of North Dakota
      Grand Forks, North Dakota

      University of South Carolina, Aiken
      Aiken, South Carolina

      University of Tennessee at Martin
      Martin, Tennessee

      University of Tennessee, Knoxville
      Knoxville, Tennessee

      University of Tennessee Southern
      Pulaski, Tennessee

      University of Texas, Austin
      Austin, Texas

      University of the Ozarks
      Clarksville, Arkansas

      University of Vermont
      Burlington, Vermont

      University of Wisconsin, Platteville
      Platteville, Wisconsin

      University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
      Stevens Point, Wisconsin

      University of Wyoming
      Laramie, Wyoming

      Vanderbilt University
      Nashville, Tennessee

      Vermillion Community College
      Ely, Minnesota

      Virginia Tech
      Blacksburg, Virginia

      Waldorf University
      Forest  City, Iowa

      Warner University
      Lake Wales, Florida

      Wartburg College
      Waverly, Iowa

      Washington College
      Chestertown, Maryland

      West Texas A&M University
      Canyon, Texas

      Wichita State University
      Wichita, Kansas

      Youngstown State University
      Youngstown, Ohio

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