Nov/Dec IHMSA News - Comments

[260 Striker]

I have often wondered why trophies have to be given out at the Internationals. I understand having a momento of a match especially if you are a class winner but we have eliminated trophies at our local matches and reduced entry fees accordingly so all shooters reap the benefits instead of just the handful of trophy winners at each match. We just have "bragging rights" at our matches now instead of trophies and I don't think that has affected our attendance by eliminating trophies. I suspect that is not a major expense at the Ints but is at least a step in the right direction.

[braud357]

From a personal perspective, and I think that this holds true for many of us - the main reason that I have not attended the Internationals since 2004 is monetary. Between gasoline prices, rising lodging costs, food, and entry fees this has become a very expensive match to participate in. I have also noticed , and I meant no slight to the people mentioned, but it seems to be the same core group of shooters attending the Internationals each year. I think that it is time to consider having the International match every 2 years, or even possibly eliminating it all together. According to the financial report - we are in dire financial shape. We have seen declining participation at our local matches here in Louisiana and Mississippi - most of the time we have between 5 - 10 shooters per match. With the decline of sanction fees and general membership - this ship is taking on water faster than we can bail ! I think that the Internationals would be a good place to start cutting ! -- Philip Braud - Louisiana State Director IHMSA # 13794

[260 Striker]

No, not really. Biggest event our club ever hosted was several OH State matches. I couldn't even get our directors to host a Region 3 match which to me would have just been a glorified state match. I know our biggest expenses were the trophies and target setting fees. With automatic resets I would think target setting fees would at least be reduce somewhat since all that would be left to do would be to paint targets between relays. I commend any club who takes on the responsibility of hosting an International event. I know when they were in OH the Tusco group did an outstanding job of hosting the events and they were always well attended. Times have changed since then so I'm sure the Ints are a little more complicated now. I just wondered if the trophies were a significant expense for the Ints. If trophies were eliminated would that make is more economical to hold the Ints each year. I know that is a special occasion especially for our fellow IHMSA shooters residing outside the U.S. Would the lack of trophies keep them from attending an International match?

[JACKIE40X40]

Phillip has answered our problem its us. for what ever reason we have its legitimate.Money,medical,burnout. when this sport started most of us could
not get enough of going to different ranges, and the Internationals was the icing on the cake.
When I started in 80`s we paid $10 per gun, I still pay $10 per gun but the difference is we only have 30-40 entries in stead of 150.
We are losing shooters everyday to 3 gun nation and IPSC.I agree things need changed,do away with the trophies,the paper,but the Internationals should be our last option...Just my opinion Jackie Brown.

[high standard 40]

I solved the issue of costly trophies for our range when we host the state championship match here every year. This is perhaps not an option for every range but might reduce costs for the Internationals if implemented. I have some background in graphic design. In lieu of trophies, I give an 8 1/2" X 11" glossy photo quality print that features a flashy graphic background, a image of the person receiving the award with his name, category and class and all the information concerning the specific match and date. I simply have to take a photo of each award winner and then after the match, I design all the awards, print them and put them in the mail. Total cost including postage is about $5 each. No need to pre-purchase plaques that I may not give out. No left overs and no over-runs. It looks great framed and is a change of pace over traditional trophies.

That said, the cost savings for IHMSA would not save the money drain at the Internationals. It could help though.

Here's an example from 2012

[JACKIE40X40]

Nice work, that`s a start.

[19 Turkeys]

Sure like it!

Steve W.

[260 Striker]

Fantastic idea. Much more personalized than a piece of wood with your name on it. If a person were so lucky to win at multiple matches then the pictures could be stored in a scrap book. I also have lots of wood stuck in boxes. I thought about removing the metal plaques and just saving them. My only problem with the photo award my ugly mug would ruin the whole thing!!!

[260 Striker]

I was thinking along the line of maybe Brad Pitt or some guy like that. Of course I have to win a match first so I won't have to worry about that for a long time.

[LOCKHART]

Our home range in New Braunfels, Texas, went to no trophys a long time ago. Most
of the shooters that shoot there were old timers who already had plenty of trophies,
so it didnt really matter. When we host the state championships, we do give em then.
I dont know the answer to getting more members into IHMSA, but that is the bottom
line, I believe. All of us old timers are dying off, and nobody replacing us!