NORWICH – The recently-formed Bob McNitt Foundation – dedicated to the memory of local outdoorsman, NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame inductee and long-time Evening Sun columnist Bob McNitt – is seeking funds to support a National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) initiative at the Norwich Middle School.
McNitt, who passed away in October of 2011 at the age of 68, was a freelance outdoors writer for nearly four decades, widely known across the state as the “voice of the sportsmen.” His weekly outdoors column – originally bi-weekly – first appeared in The Evening Sun in October of 1977 and continued to be featured in its pages over the next 34 years. In 2006, McNitt was recognized by the New York State Senate for publicizing conservation and outdoor resources, promoting both ethics and sportsmanship.
Josh Sheldon, founder of the McNitt Foundation and friend of the outdoorsman and writer, said he formed the non-profit organization after a conversation he had with McNitt’s wife of more than 40 years, Elizabeth “Betty” McNitt.
“I was concerned that there had not yet been a foundation set up to commemorate Bob and to carry on his legacy toward the outdoors and sportsmen,” said Sheldon. “I had mentioned youth education to [Elizabeth] and she said, ‘That sounds like Bob.’ A few years back, I became aware of the Archery in the Schools Program, which is gauged toward middle school youth, and thought this type of program would be perfect.”
Sheldon then contacted Norwich Middle School Principal Scott Ryan, who said he was not only aware of the program’s existence, but had hoped to get the school involved last year. Funding and scheduling issues, however, prevented that from happening. Now, with the help of the McNitt Foundation, the program is expected to be instituted this spring.
“The school district has, on numerous occasions, tried to bring this in ... bring the outdoors indoors,” added the principal. “Just the idea of connecting kids with the outdoors and a fundamental approach to archery, this is something that’s going to be very beneficial to our kids.”
Ryan said he’s also hoping – with Sheldon’s help – to tie-in the program with the history of archery in our area, with its Native American roots. And with winter settling in, the program is a great way to keep kids active, while teaching them responsibility and safety as well.
“We really believe in this program,” he added.
The McNitt Foundation – which also includes Sheldon’s father Randy and Wolf Mountain Nature Center owner and caretaker Will Pryor – has now begun to collect funds in support of the Archery in the Schools Program at NMS, and donations can be dropped off at Burger King, the Route 23 Valero gas station and Mayhood’s Sporting Goods, Route 12 South of Norwich. Checks should be made payable to the Bob McNitt Foundation and large donations can be dropped off at Mayhood’s.
“We have received our non-profit organization status and we’re now able to begin collecting funds,” added Sheldon. “This is a chance for people to invest in the future of our sport.”
The National Archery in Schools Program was founded in 2002 and is a curriculum for physical education aimed at students grades four through twelve. It involves instruction in International Style Target Archery and follows the National Physical Education Standards. For more information on the Bob McNitt Foundation, contact Sheldon at 316-2936. For information on the Archery in the School program visit nasparchery.com.