Collegiate archery has grown remarkably in the United States over the past decade, with dozens of universities fielding competitive programs and the USA Archery Collegiate Nationals drawing hundreds of athletes annually. Having competed and coached at the collegiate level at Mount Marty University, I can offer an insider's perspective on what the collegiate archery pathway looks like.
What is Collegiate Archery?
Collegiate archery competitions are sanctioned by USA Archery and organized across regions with a national championship at the end of each season. Teams are grouped by school enrollment size (Small, Mid, and Large), and athletes compete in individual and sometimes team events across recurve, compound, and barebow divisions.
Finding a Program
Unlike NCAA sports, collegiate archery programs don't need to be Division I or have formal athletic scholarships. Many strong programs exist at smaller schools. The USA Archery collegiate program list on their website shows all registered university clubs. Some schools offer partial academic scholarships or work-study opportunities for competitive archers — this is how I came to compete at Mount Marty University on a graduate athletic assistantship.
The All-American Award in Collegiate Archery
USA Archery grants the All-American designation to the top 8 nationally ranked archers in each collegiate category. I earned this award in 2023 (5th place nationally) and again in 2024 — a recognition of consistent performance at the highest collegiate level. Earning it requires strong scores at the Collegiate Nationals and high season-long ranking maintenance.
How to Prepare for Collegiate Competition
- Register with USA Archery and establish an official classification score
- Attend regional qualifying events before Nationals — performance there affects seeding
- Train specifically for the Collegiate Nationals format (typically indoor at 18m, then outdoor)
- Coordinate with your university's club president or coach about travel and equipment logistics
Starting a Collegiate Program at Your School
If your university doesn't have an archery program, you can start one. USA Archery provides a club formation guide. The minimum requirements are: a faculty advisor, a safe practice facility, and at least 5 members. I helped support program development during my time at Mount Marty and it's one of the most rewarding things you can do for the sport.
Interested in Collegiate Archery?
Contact Lalit Jain for guidance on collegiate archery pathways and competition preparation.