Ben Berka to Depart as SSSF President & Executive Director

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) announces that after eight years in the position of President and Executive Director, Ben Berka will be leaving his position August 26th, 2022. “Ben Berka has served well when the Foundation needed capable and strong leadership as the programs grew,” commented SSSF Board Chairman, Ed Fitzgerald. “He has paved the way for future growth and capabilities, and we wish him well in his new opportunities.”

Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach, as strong leaders and the respective National Directors for the Foundation’s Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Programs, will assist with the transition of the Foundation’s day-to-day operations. “Both Tom Wondrash and Rick Leach have proven track records of organizational development and leadership that qualifies them for this effort,” said Chris Hodgdon, SSSF Vice Chairman. “Having been the drivers for many of the Foundation’s efforts to expand its capabilities and offerings, makes them uniquely effective in working together to operate and manage the resources of the largest youth shooting program in the world.”

Having concluded July’s National Championship event with over 10,000 combined registrations, this marks the Foundation’s largest Clay Target competition to date and the world’s largest Action Shooting tournament. The youth development programs will begin ramping up for the start of the fall season, as many teams are back in school competing.

About the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is 501(c)(3) public charity responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. The SCTP and SASP are youth development programs in which adult coaches and other volunteers use shooting sports to teach and to demonstrate sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, ethics, integrity, teamwork, and other positive life skills.

Provide and enhance personal growth and development opportunities for student athlete members; become the premier authority in all things pertaining to firearm-related pursuits for youth; pass on to future generations the legacy of lifelong, safe, responsible enjoyment of the shooting sports. This includes serving as the primary feeder/pipeline for organized, sanctioned shooting organizations and teams, like USA SHOOTING, TEAM USA, and the NGBs (NSSA, NSCA, ATA).