ATA Announces 2020 Trade Show Award Winners

Impact Awards:

“Impact” means having a strong effect on someone or something. The ATA considers any impact made through service, creativity or technology; or an impact that improves the industry’s longevity, sustainability or awareness. The ATA also considered those who made impacts by overcoming adversity or increasing engagement in archery. Anyone could nominate a business or individual making a positive impact on the industry.

Impact Award Recipients:

• Aaron Warbritton, of The Hunting Public – Individual
• Shane Hurt, University of Pikeville archery coach – Individual
• Archery School of the Rockies – Retailer
• T.R.U. Ball/AXCEL Archery – Manufacturer
• National Archery in the Schools Program – Nonprofit

Warbritton, a driving force behind The Hunting Public, said he was honored to receive the Impact award. “At THP (The Hunting Public), our goal is to show regular people they can have positive experiences while hunting with their friends and family!” Warbritton said.

Hurt, based in eastern Kentucky, is the head archery coach at the University of Pikeville. He’s also the region’s NASP coordinator, an S3DA trainer, and a USA Archery Level 4 instructor. News of winning the award left him momentarily speechless.

“I would like to thank the ATA for this incredible honor,” Hurt said. “This is the reason I coach; to make a positive impact on young men and women. For them to feel that and nominate me is humbling and fulfilling. My hope is that the University of Pikeville’s archery program can continue to incorporate kids from every organization, and continue to impact the lives of these young archers in a positive way.”

Another recipient, The Archery School of the Rockies, began as a one-day afterschool program, and became the “provider of choice” for all levels and types of archery in the Rocky Mountain region. Karin Bock works every day of the week operating the full-service pro shop, offering extensive programs and lessons from beginners to advanced archers.

“Archery chose me, and I’m extremely happy it did,” Bock said. “I love this sport for so many reasons, but the one I come back to again and again is that everyone can be a part of it. Archery is accessible to people with any ability. Those who partake in it build focus, character, self-confidence, mental and physical abilities, and so much more. Archery requires the shooter to be all-in while using their body and mind to master each and every shot. Developing archers is a passion for me because of that. I believe archery’s benefits spill into all aspects of someone’s life. That’s why I love the sport so much.”

Ben Summers, vice president of T.R.U. Ball/AXCEL Archery, was honored by the award, which coincided with the company’s 25th year in business. “Our mission statement is ‘We Make Archery Better!’ he said. “We hope it’s evident to everyone that we’re trying to do that. We have 95 Virginia employees, and we make every metal part in our factory to ensure quality. We go out of our way to ensure our wrist straps, packaging, and even our carbon is also made in the USA. That tells our customers they can depend on their equipment. We’ve also given back millions of dollars to retailers, tournament organizations, and professional shooters and hunters to keep archery’s grassroots community strong! Every level of our company employs people who give back to our sport through mentoring, speaking, coaching and advocating. We’re happy to be members of the ATA, which truly cares about archery and bowhunting in a big way!”

NASP has taught archery to over 18 million students, and trained over 80,000 educators through its grassroots, school-based effort that teaches and recruits in a positive learning environment. “The National Archery in the Schools Program is very pleased the ATA recognizes NASP’s beneficial impact on the industry, and its pursuit of student excellence and growth of shooting sports!” said NASP president Roy Grimes.