Committee hears resolution urging Montana University System to support collegiate shooting sports

HELENA — The Senate Education Committee on Thursday heard testimony on Senate Joint Resolution 7, a nonbinding measure from Senator Terry Fuller urging the Montana University System to support collegiate shooting sports and to partner with local ranges and clubs.

Senator Terry Fuller, R-District 4, introduced the resolution and said it would encourage the university system to explore options so talented Montana shooters could continue competing in-state rather than leaving for programs in other states.

Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, told the committee that Montana has “a lot of youth who do really well in competitive shooting” and that students currently must leave the state to pursue collegiate shooting programs. He said local clubs and ranges already exist and are willing to partner with campuses.

Multiple proponents described grassroots interest and available facilities. Jason Herndon, a longtime junior coach from Missoula, said he has coached athletes who left Montana to join collegiate programs elsewhere and urged the committee to keep opportunities in-state. The Deputy Commissioner for Government Relations and Communications for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, Galen Hollenbaugh, said OCHE “stand[s] in support of this resolution today” and described how campus organizations might range from informal student clubs to formally sponsored intercollegiate programs with scholarship structures.

Supporters highlighted several points: shooting sports are coed and cross demographic lines; the state already has club infrastructure and volunteer coaches; and establishing programs could create in-state scholarship opportunities. Proponents pointed to specific local investment — testimony described a nearly $2 million indoor youth shooting facility completed near Missoula and referenced local clubs that host national-level matches.

Committee members asked about safety and organizational details. Witnesses gave anecdotal safety records for youth shooting programs. Jason Herndon said he does not have national incident statistics but described youth and 4-H programs as “extremely safe.” Gary Marbut recounted decades of participation and said injuries are rare.

Senators also asked OCHE about how campuses would proceed. Hollenbaugh said organization would depend on each campus: some activity could start as student clubs authorized by student governments; others might become formally organized athletic programs affiliated with national governing bodies, requiring governance decisions by campus athletic departments and the Board of Regents.

No formal opponents testified in the hearing record. Senator Fuller urged passage of the resolution; the committee closed the hearing without a roll-call vote.

Sources: Committee hearing transcript, testimony from Senator Terry Fuller, Gary Marbut (Montana Shooting Sports Association), Jason Herndon (coach), Galen Hollenbaugh (OCHE).