All levels of collegiate shooters are encouraged to participate in the 2010 National Rifle Association Intercollegiate Rifle Club Championship on April 8 though 11th at the Purdue University Armory as part of the NRA’s Collegiate & Schools Program.

Members of NRA College Rifle Clubs, Varsity Rifle Teams, ROTC Teams and independent shooters may participate in the first-ever championship.

NRA College Rifle Clubs, Varsity Rifle Teams, and ROTC Teams will have both individual and team champions. Outdoor News Daily reports that independent shooters will have only an individual champion.

“As a result of the new championship, we hope to see a boosted level of awareness toward collegiate shooting that will help foster rifle programs across the nation,” Tori Croft, National Manager of NRA Collegiate & School Programs, said.

The event will feature smallbore and air rifle competitions, training summits for all participants and coaches as well as networking between peers and other shooters.

Shooting in the NRA Intercollegiate Rifle Sectionals is required to qualify for the championship. The top three teams and top five individuals from the sectional competitions will earn free entry into the championship competition.

For more information on collegiate shooting and the 2010 Intercollegiate Rifle Club Championship, visit http://www.nrahq.org/compete/coldir.asp, or contact Tori Croft at (703) 267-1473, or by e-mail at collegiate@nrahq.org.