Club sports at OSU: The Pistol Club, open to students and faculty

Since 1948, Oregon State University students have been gathering to partake in the practice of target shooting using pistols, now known to students as the Pistol Club.

When it was first founded by Wade Anderson, it consisted solely of ROTC members, who later went on to win the national title that same year.

Now, though, the club is not exclusively for ROTC. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, from students to faculty.

"Primarily, people want to come and learn something new that they have never done before," Pistol Club President Eric Sundholm said. "It's convenient and cheaper than going out to a shooting range."

It only costs $5 to join the club, and $2.50 for ammunition, which is 50 rounds. You can go practice shooting at any of their practice times. They meet Sunday and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at McAlexander Fieldhouse.

Students who have not yet participated are required to meet at 6 p.m. to go through the training process before being allowed to shoot the .22 bull's-eyes pistols.

The training consists of learning how to properly use the guns, as well as the safety rules enforced at the club. Once the training is completed, members are allowed to practice.

Officers and coaches are always at practice to monitor what is being done.

"I've been the coach for four years. I never showed up as an undergraduate, but when I was hired as faculty I decided to give back and help out," Head Coach Jordan Jones said.

There is a distinction between club members and competitive members. Anyone who attends practices and has gone through the training is considered a member, whereas competitive members are the ones who compete with other clubs in their league.

They have competitions once a month against the Willamette Valley Pistol League. OSU is the only collegiate team on the West Coast, so the teams it competes against are actually clubs formed throughout the valley.

The last two years, the competitive team has been invited to the National Rifle Association Intercollegiate Pistol Championships. They placed sixth in the nation last year.

The competitive team consists of 14 members, while the general club itself has around 200 members.

For those members who are more interested in just practicing, some things must be kept in mind.

With target shooting being so precise, it takes a lot of dedication and serenity to be able to improve.

"It is one of the most relaxing sports I've ever been a part of. You have to be mentally focused to do well," Sundholm said.

Many compare shooting to martial arts and Zen, because of how "in tune" with you have to be with your body. "Kenjuudo" is the Japanese word that translates into "way of the pistol."

The mechanics are simple, but it is the focus and restraint required with one's body that makes it difficult.

Since the club has been around since 1948, the building they practice in will be getting a facelift this summer.

They plan on replacing the roof and upgrading the structure to accommodate members.

Once the renovations are made, they are going to be naming the range the "Anderson and Keeling Memorial Target Range," in honor of Wade Anderson and Ken Keeling, the two men who founded the Pistol Club.

The Pistol Club is a good way to get involved and learn more about the concept of target shooting, and general understanding of how a pistol is used.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about firearms, so I believe everyone should come try it so they can understand what it is like," Jones said.

Caitie Karcher, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com