Match Report Archive

[afrench]

i need some help with a project I’m doing.

for the last couple of months, I’ve been looking around online for match archives or historical stuff in general... there isn't much to be found!! I’m interested in doing what I can to preserve the history of this sport.

i've been visiting with some of the guys in my region, the Gulf Coast Regional Directors and Mrs. Brown at the NBRSA office about how far back they have match reports, and if there is an online archive somewhere. Apparently, there isn’t.

now, i'm sure we could come up with stuff from the last 10 years or so but i'm interested in putting together an archive of all registered matches as far back as i can get info... NBRSA especially but IBS would be good to get too while i'm at it. i've only been shooting for about 5 years and the split up of the two was way before my time. i'm not even sure when that happened.

ideally, i'd like to scan in complete match reports with all shooters and equipment lists, then put them on a website somewhere. i'm afraid many of these reports only exist in paper form and are getting thrown out every year. i'm really interested in getting results from way back when... 1950's and 60s forward, before they are gone forever.

the sooner i can start accumulating reports, the better. every year, we have more guys die. and, their family most likely will just throw away the stack of paper sitting in the corner.

so, I’m reaching out to those that may have some of these report to borrow for a little while.

My thanks to Glenn Chism for sending me some of what he has, including this report from the 1966 Nationals.

 

[Chism G]

Great Idea Aaron

I support this effort 100%

Living and shooting mostly around the Gulf Coast Region, I have had the privilege of meeting some living Dinosaurs of Benchrest. Some are still active in the Sport.

Every chance I get,I quiz these guys about what the Sport was like in the early Years. They all seem anxious to share their Stories of fun times and unforgettable personalities,that defines what the Sport is all about.

I have pestered these guys over the years to dig out old memorabilia that can be shared with newcomers to the Sport. I’ve been able to collect a few ancient artifacts. Old Match reports are as scarce as Hens teeth.

The explanation has been that when these reports were handed out/mailed,if your name wasn’t at the top of the rankings,they usually ended up in the same place as old newspapers.

When visiting with some of the Old Timers, I see Old Targets of small groups and Aggs,proudly displayed in man caves cluttered with mostly outdated Benchrest tools of the Sport. Memories of days gone by that will eventually disappear without a story.

Some of the seasoned veterans I’ve become acquainted with in the Gulf Coast Region. There are more ,but the following list of men have been around a very long time. Some are still punching paper.


Don Geraci
Ron Prachyl
Howard Dietz
Turk Takano(Active)
Larry Baggett(Active)
Billy Russell( Active,RimFire)
Scott Hunter(Active)
Ed Shilen(Active,RimFire)
John Jones
Frank Wilson
Jay Lynn Gore(Active)


I think A group picture of these guys,along with old match reports, published in the NBRSA Magazine would be great for the Sport. Other Regions could duplicate this effort.

What say you?



Glenn