GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College will add clay shooting to its athletics lineup beginning in Fall 2027 and is currently recruiting student-athletes for its inaugural team.
Carrollton native Brady Cox will serve as head coach. Cox, who competed in clay shooting at the collegiate level, said the sport’s growing popularity among area high schools makes LC a natural fit for a college program.
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“There are more than 20 high schools on the Illinois side that have programs now, and it’s really growing,” Cox said. “This gives local students another opportunity to continue their education and continue shooting without having to go away to a big school.”
The Trailblazers will compete in three disciplines – sporting clays, trap and skeet – through the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Association of College Unions International (ACUI). Competition includes both team and individual scoring, with opportunities to advance to regional and national events.
Cox said the program hopes to recruit approximately 25 student-athletes for its first season, with room to grow as interest increases.
The team will practice and compete locally at Winchester Trap and Skeet and NILO Farms, both owned by Winchester. Cox said having established shooting facilities nearby, coupled with the sport’s popularity throughout the region, should benefit the new program.
“A lot of people in this area grew up hunting, fishing and shooting,” he said. “This gives students who grew up competing a chance to keep shooting for a few more years while they get their education.”
Cox said he has already received inquiries about the program, even before formal recruiting efforts have begun.
“The word has spread around really quickly,” he said. “People have been coming up to me at shoots asking about Lewis and Clark starting a team. We’re excited to get it going.”
Prospective student-athletes interested in joining LC’s inaugural clay shooting team can contact Cox at brcox@lc.edu.
