Olympic shooting champion visits JU

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock and his father and Olympic coach, Craig Hancock, visited with Jacksonville University Varsity Sporting Clays, Skeet & Trap Team members and JU President Kerry Romesburg on Friday, Nov. 16.

The father-son sharpshooting duo will lead a two-day clinic Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18, at the Jacksonville Skeet and Trap Club.

This summer in London, Vincent Hancock, 23, became the first international skeet shooter to repeat as an Olympic gold medalist.

“Your influence on the shooting sports and the impact it is having on the kids coming up in the sport is immeasurable,” JU Varsity Shooting Team founder and head coach David Dobson told Vincent Hancock on Friday at a gathering in the JU trustee boardroom.

Noting that competitive shooters typically peak in their 30s, Hancock said Friday that he expects to have lot of Olympic competition in his future. He also told the JU team members that advice from Tiger Woods helps him stay focused.

“Tiger said that every time he walks out on the course, he expects to win. That’s the approach that I take,” he said.

The Hancocks’ visit was the second of the week of an Olympic gold medalist to Jacksonville University. On Tuesday, Jacksonville University sailing team members enjoyed lunch and fellowship with gold medalist sailor Anna Tunnicliffe, who offered advice in the JU team’s quest to be a national contender.

The all-day shooting clinic is open to the public for $375 per day. Space is limited. To register, or for more information on the JU team, contact David Dobson at ddobson1@ju.edu.