Georgia Southern University Archer Linda Stephens Earns All-American Status

July 10, 2012

In just her second year of collegiate archery, Georgia Southern University junior Linda Stephens has made quite a statement. For the second time, the Ludowici, Ga. native has been named an All-American by United States Collegiate Archery (USCA).  She was one of 10 women to earn the honor in 2012.

Stephens, a management major in the College of Business Administration, serves as vice president of Georgia Southern’s Archery Club team in addition to her role as a full-time student.  What makes her accomplishment even more impressive?  She has only been competing in the sport for six years.  The honor is awarded to archers who are full-time college students in good standing and who have competed in both the USCA National Indoor and the United States Intercollegiate Archery Championships (USIAC).  The Top 10 in each class with a combined score from those events earn All-American status.

“I was simply astonished to learn that in my first year of collegiate competition, I was able to attain the title of All-American,” said Stephens. “I was so proud of my achievement, but even I didn’t know what an honor it was until this year when I thought my performance at USIAC would fall just short of the requirements. Thankfully, I managed to achieve All-American status for the second straight year.”

Along with All-American honors, Stephens was named an All-Academic performer for the second consecutive year. The USCA awards All-Academic status to archers whose grade-point average is above 3.0 and who rank in the Top 10 nationally.  In addition, Stephens wen to the Olympic trials last summer.

Georgia Southern University’s Archery Club Team was formed in November 2010. Today, the team focuses not only on the sport of archery, but on education – teaching students the basics of the increasingly popular sport. This past March, Georgia Southern’s team hosted the National Indoor tournament, one of only eight tournaments in the country.  The team currently practices on the University’s intramural fields, but that’s about to change.

Recently, Georgia Southern and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced plans to construct a new Elite Shooting Sports Education Center adjacent to Georgia Southern’s campus in Statesboro. The new center, which is being funded in part by a $3.3 million federal grant along with private and corporate donations, will allow the center to serve as an educational, recreational and competitive venue.  Scheduled to open in fall 2013, it will be only one of two such centers in the country.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University is one of the Top 10 most popular universities in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, and is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu.