U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- As part of its mission, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has been dedicated to the development and longevity of youth shooting sports around the country. With several junior programs currently established in each state, aspiring young marksmen are fortunate to have a number of venues available to continue their growth – yet, there’s always room for more.
The thought of starting a team can be daunting, but one new coach local to Camp Perry, where the CMP Headquarters is located, knows what it’s like to form a fresh group of athletes from the ground up and gives his own advice on how others may do the same.
Matt Muzik of Green Springs, Ohio, is the head coach of the American Legion Post 295 Marksmanship Team – newly created in June 2020. Currently, the team is comprised of 13 athletes, ages 8 to 15, an assistant coach and five board members. The group competes in 60 shot and three-position air rifle, 60 shot pistol, and smallbore.
“I love helping kids, and the reward you get is something money can’t buy,” Muzik said. “One of the biggest reasons I started a team was because of my daughter, Claudia Muzik, and her passion for this sport.”
Muzik has been working hard at being a marksmanship leader for nearly a decade now. Over the last eight years, he has been certified as a Level 2 NRA coach and has a background check for both USA Shooting Safe Sport and American Legion Safe Sport. He was also involved with the Ottawa County Shooting Stars, a local Camp Perry team, for about five years.
“I enjoy watching these kids grow and mature as
