Springfield Armory® is proud to be a prominent supporter of Hillsdale College through its sponsorship of the Hillsdale College Action Shooting Team.

Hillsdale College, located in Hillsdale, Michigan, has built a national reputation through its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. With an emphasis on a traditional, classical core curriculum, the college is ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the United States.

And with the strong support of Springfield Armory, the school’s Action Shooting Team has earned two national championships at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program’s College Nationals — the first in 2022, and the most recent this year.

Part of this support is an academic scholarship program created and funded by Springfield Armory to help the college recruit members for the Action Shooting Team. Additional support has been provided through the donation of a range of Springfield Armory pistols for the team’s use. This includes models such as the new Echelon™, the 1911 DS Prodigy™ and the 1911 Emissary.

“Over the last several years, the Hillsdale College Halter Center has become a major hub for the shooting sports — especially the shotgun sports,” says Rich Péwé, Hillsdale College’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Now, with our new Ailes Action Shooting Range and with Springfield Armory’s support, I think people will begin to see the Halter Center as a home to the pistol sports, as well. We are very grateful for Springfield’s support of our work.”

The school’s Ailes Action Shooting Range is designed to support the team with a facility for training and practice. It features four 30-yard pistol bays, a 40-yard pistol bay and also a 100-yard rifle range.

“Our action shooting sports team is only a few years old,” says shooting team coach Adam Burlew. “To date, most of our athletes have been walk-ons, and we have been very successful. Now, with Springfield’s help, we can recruit high school shooting sports athletes and let them know they can find a home here at Hillsdale.”

“The opportunity to be a student-athlete for the Hillsdale Action Shooting Team is truly a one-of-a-kind experience,” says team captain Joseph Grohs. “I left the Special Operations community after 12 years of service with 2nd Ranger Battalion, and it is humbling to find myself once more among those who want to be the best. Springfield Armory has been a staunch supporter that has unhesitatingly provided equipment and training, which are cornerstones that have helped the team flourish.”

Springfield Armory has also supported the Action Shooting Team by providing access to world-renowned competitive shooter Rob Leatham.

“It has been my distinct pleasure to work with the Hillsdale College Pistol Team,” said Leatham. “Having been in the firearms training industry for so many years I have seen it all. From beginners to winners, I've trained the most talented and dedicated shooters throughout the world. None have been more satisfying for me to work with than these young people.”

To learn more information about Hillsdale College, please visit: www.hillsdale.edu.

To learn more about Springfield Armory, please visit: www.springfield-armory.com.