MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                     News Directors, Sports Reporters and PSA Directors

FROM:                 University Relations

SUBJECT:            2002 Rifle Team Reception and Ice Cream Social

LOCATION:          UAF Wood Center multilevel lounge

DATE & TIME:     Thursday, May 2, 2002, from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host an ice cream social in honor of the NCAA champion rifle team, Thursday, May 2, 2002. The reception will take place in the Wood Center multilevel lounge from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

The rifle team won its fourth consecutive NCAA title in March as well as an individual NCAA title and record-setting score in smallbore by junior Matt Emmons, who finished fifth at the World Cup for shooting in Sydney, Australia last week. Freshman Joe Hein also won the men’s 3x40 smallbore rifle event at the 2002 U.S. Junior Olympic Championships earlier this month, earning him a place on the USA Shooting National Development Team. The Nanooks boast ten National Rifle Association All-Americans based on the shooters’ scores throughout the season with an emphasis on the NCAA sectionals. The NRA also takes in to consideration their grade point averages.

Coach Dave Johnson has coached Nanooks for two years, but will be leaving to coach the U.S. Olympic rifle team at the end of his contract in June.

UAF has fielded a rifle team since 1937. In 1980, rifle was re-organized into an NCAA recognized and sponsored sport.

-30-

CONTACT: UAF Sports Information Director Kevin Raap at (907) 474-6805, or UAF Special Events Coordinator Tori Tragis at (907) 474-6438, or visit the UAF Nanook rifle team Web site at http://www.uaf.edu/athletic/rifle/.

CJB//04-25-02/02-064ma