Everett Sportsman's Club
Class of 2014
Early in the 1940s, a group of avid hunters from the Tannery area of Everett were hanging out at the old Sponsler’s Store telling stories of their hunting exploits: how many, how big, how many points, and who could tell the biggest lie. The idea of forming a club quickly became the topic.
On February 18, 1949, at 8 p.m., the IOOF Hall was rented for $2 per night for a meeting to organize a sportsman club. Officers elected were: Fred Sponsler, President; Clifford Price, Vice President; Robert Lashley, Secretary; and Charley Cox, Treasurer.
At their March 29 meeting, the voted to join the Bedford County Federation of Sportsmen and pay six cents per member and buy badges to be sold for 10 cents each.
A field trial day was discussed at the May meeting. A committee consisting of Sam England (chairman), Frances Smith, John Burket, and Howard Hinish was formed. Another committee of Chester Price, John McFarland, Boyd Foor, Carl King, and Maynard Price was formed to put a stand at the Everett Fireman’s Carnival.
Although the numbers aren’t recorded, it is estimated that the club membership grew from approximately 50 to nearly 400 in the mid-1970s under younger leadership. The elected officials (Tom Stoner, Tom Smyers, Tom Stiffler, and Tim Shaffer) were known as 3 Toms and a Tim.
It is noted that during the lean years, the club was held together financially by Chester Price, who paid the bills out of his own pocket.
Over the years, many programs were sponsored by the club including: trap shoots, raising rabbits, raising pheasants, feeding wildlife, stocking fish, cleaning rivers and streams, safety zone posters, youth hunters safety courses, conservation camp that later turned into youth field days, archery shoots, state licensed for training dogs, trapping, pistol shooting, junior and senior rifle leagues, the formation of a women’s auxiliary, boy
More recent activities include: a pond for club members to fish in; enlarged parking lot; outdoor covered shooting range (100-yard, 50-yard, and 25-yard); extended club building to accommodate the Junior Rifle Club; built sound wall to keep shooters from being distracted by onlookers; sporting clays shoots on the first Sunday of the month from April to November; sporting clays shoot to benefit the American Cancer Society; a Junior Rifle Club that averages 64 shooters; hosted the Everett High School rifle team for the third year; rent the clubhouse for auctions and reunions; and work on the club grounds is done voluntarily.
The club is one of the top in this part of the state and has created scholarship opportunities for Bedford County youth. Under the tutelage of Denny Robinson, eight Junior Rifle Team members earned Division I Scholarships and one more walked on at West Point.
One of the top shooters to come from the team was Jennifer O’Neal, who earned a scholarship to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. That team won the first of its 10 NCAA championships and broke a six-year string of championships for West Virginia. She was also participated in the 1996 Olympic trials. She was also an NRA All-American for the following events and years: 1993 - Air Rifle Second Team and Smallbore Rifle Second Team; 1994 and 1995- Air Rifle First Team and Smallbore Rifle First Team.
Other shooters who had success at the collegiate level include:
- Becky Hershberger was an NRA Second-Team All-American Air Rifle in 2007 at Alaska Fairbanks, when the Nanooks won another national title.
- Wes Robinson shot for Xavier University and was an NRA Second-Team All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 1995. He also competed in the Great Britain national match and the Chech Republic after College. He traveled with the Army Marksmanship Shooters and our Olympic Shooters on a overseas shooting trip.
- Billy Grant shot for Tennessee Technological University and was an NRA Honorable Mention All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 2002.
- Daniel Ault was an NRA Honorable Mention All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 2005 for Xavier University.
- Jason Shultz received a scholarship to Tennessee Technological University.
- Matthew Walters received a scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy.
- Jason Buckingham walked on at U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
- Andrew Leydig received a scholarship to Tennessee Technological University.
Highlights
1953: Incorporated
1955: Purchased an additional 67 acres, built the clubhouse, swimming pool with bath house and concession stand, lake, and picnic area
1958: Joined the National Rifle Association
Presidents
1949-50: Fred Sponsler
1951: Howard Hinish
1952: Paul England
1953: William Snyder
1954-58: Boyd Foor
No minutes from 1959-1985
1986-87: Kenny Reed
1987 - present: Ed Sponsler
..
On February 18, 1949, at 8 p.m., the IOOF Hall was rented for $2 per night for a meeting to organize a sportsman club. Officers elected were: Fred Sponsler, President; Clifford Price, Vice President; Robert Lashley, Secretary; and Charley Cox, Treasurer.
At their March 29 meeting, the voted to join the Bedford County Federation of Sportsmen and pay six cents per member and buy badges to be sold for 10 cents each.
A field trial day was discussed at the May meeting. A committee consisting of Sam England (chairman), Frances Smith, John Burket, and Howard Hinish was formed. Another committee of Chester Price, John McFarland, Boyd Foor, Carl King, and Maynard Price was formed to put a stand at the Everett Fireman’s Carnival.
Although the numbers aren’t recorded, it is estimated that the club membership grew from approximately 50 to nearly 400 in the mid-1970s under younger leadership. The elected officials (Tom Stoner, Tom Smyers, Tom Stiffler, and Tim Shaffer) were known as 3 Toms and a Tim.
It is noted that during the lean years, the club was held together financially by Chester Price, who paid the bills out of his own pocket.
Over the years, many programs were sponsored by the club including: trap shoots, raising rabbits, raising pheasants, feeding wildlife, stocking fish, cleaning rivers and streams, safety zone posters, youth hunters safety courses, conservation camp that later turned into youth field days, archery shoots, state licensed for training dogs, trapping, pistol shooting, junior and senior rifle leagues, the formation of a women’s auxiliary, boy
More recent activities include: a pond for club members to fish in; enlarged parking lot; outdoor covered shooting range (100-yard, 50-yard, and 25-yard); extended club building to accommodate the Junior Rifle Club; built sound wall to keep shooters from being distracted by onlookers; sporting clays shoots on the first Sunday of the month from April to November; sporting clays shoot to benefit the American Cancer Society; a Junior Rifle Club that averages 64 shooters; hosted the Everett High School rifle team for the third year; rent the clubhouse for auctions and reunions; and work on the club grounds is done voluntarily.
The club is one of the top in this part of the state and has created scholarship opportunities for Bedford County youth. Under the tutelage of Denny Robinson, eight Junior Rifle Team members earned Division I Scholarships and one more walked on at West Point.
One of the top shooters to come from the team was Jennifer O’Neal, who earned a scholarship to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. That team won the first of its 10 NCAA championships and broke a six-year string of championships for West Virginia. She was also participated in the 1996 Olympic trials. She was also an NRA All-American for the following events and years: 1993 - Air Rifle Second Team and Smallbore Rifle Second Team; 1994 and 1995- Air Rifle First Team and Smallbore Rifle First Team.
Other shooters who had success at the collegiate level include:
- Becky Hershberger was an NRA Second-Team All-American Air Rifle in 2007 at Alaska Fairbanks, when the Nanooks won another national title.
- Wes Robinson shot for Xavier University and was an NRA Second-Team All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 1995. He also competed in the Great Britain national match and the Chech Republic after College. He traveled with the Army Marksmanship Shooters and our Olympic Shooters on a overseas shooting trip.
- Billy Grant shot for Tennessee Technological University and was an NRA Honorable Mention All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 2002.
- Daniel Ault was an NRA Honorable Mention All-American in Smallbore Rifle in 2005 for Xavier University.
- Jason Shultz received a scholarship to Tennessee Technological University.
- Matthew Walters received a scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy.
- Jason Buckingham walked on at U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
- Andrew Leydig received a scholarship to Tennessee Technological University.
Highlights
1953: Incorporated
1955: Purchased an additional 67 acres, built the clubhouse, swimming pool with bath house and concession stand, lake, and picnic area
1958: Joined the National Rifle Association
Presidents
1949-50: Fred Sponsler
1951: Howard Hinish
1952: Paul England
1953: William Snyder
1954-58: Boyd Foor
No minutes from 1959-1985
1986-87: Kenny Reed
1987 - present: Ed Sponsler
..
Early in the 1940s, a group of avid hunters from the Tannery area of Everett were hanging out at the old Sponsler’s Store telling stories of their hunting exploits: how many, how big, how many points, and who could tell the biggest lie. The idea of forming a club quickly became the topic.
On February 18, 1949, at 8 p.m., the IOOF Hall was rented for $2 per night for a meeting to organize a sportsman club. Officers elected were: Fred Sponsler, President; Clifford Price, Vice President; Robert Lashley, Secretary; and Charley Cox, Treasurer.
At their March 29 meeting, the voted to join the Bedford County Federation of Sportsmen and pay six cents per member and buy badges to be sold for 10 cents each.
A field trial day was discussed at the May meeting. A committee consisting of Sam England (chairman), Frances Smith, John Burket, and Howard Hinish was formed. Another committee of Chester Price, John McFarland, Boyd Foor, Carl King, and Maynard Price was formed to put a stand at the Everett Fireman’s Carnival.
On February 18, 1949, at 8 p.m., the IOOF Hall was rented for $2 per night for a meeting to organize a sportsman club. Officers elected were: Fred Sponsler, President; Clifford Price, Vice President; Robert Lashley, Secretary; and Charley Cox, Treasurer.
At their March 29 meeting, the voted to join the Bedford County Federation of Sportsmen and pay six cents per member and buy badges to be sold for 10 cents each.
A field trial day was discussed at the May meeting. A committee consisting of Sam England (chairman), Frances Smith, John Burket, and Howard Hinish was formed. Another committee of Chester Price, John McFarland, Boyd Foor, Carl King, and Maynard Price was formed to put a stand at the Everett Fireman’s Carnival.
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
