|
The Irrepressible Mr. Stempeck Running a Junior Highpower Rifle Team |
| Some people
just won't take 'no' for an answer. As we have found out over the past 19
years, Dick Stempeck is one of those people. An attitude of whatever it takes. Because in the poorer, rural areas of Northwest Pennsylvania, it takes a lot. Stempeck estimates that nearly half of the juniors in his smallbore program come from single parent homes. A lot of kids and parents just can't afford the costs. He therefore spends much of his time finding, begging and borrowing equipment--"I have no shame in that regard." In fact, he has told more than one veteran, gun collector, or former competitive shooter "I want your equipment. You're probably never going to get it back, but it's for a good cause." Stempeck's been at it since 1984, and he humorously blames his wife for it--"she talked me into it...she thought I should go and give back to the community." The program he took over had 5 kids and a handful of equipment after the former coaches retired. Now it averages 50 to 60 kids every year. He spends a lot of time recruiting, and as he told an audience of coaches from across the country at the 2002 National Youth Shooting Sports Leadership Conference, the secret is just plain perseverance. "I dig up kids wherever I can dig them up." Since 1997, Stempeck has also spearheaded getting juniors and their parents to the National Matches in Camp Perry. He finds that is a real motivator--"you're shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world." It is also the source of some great stories. For example, prior to the 2001 National Matches, Stempeck saw that "we had a good chance to make number one, but I needed a gimmick." He had a beautician dye his hair red, white and blue, and started growing it long in April before the summer matches. As a reward for winning, his Pennsylvania junior team got the honor of shaving his head in front of the Camp Perry auditorium. The next year, Stempeck turned the tables--if the kids lost, he would get to cut their hair. After the match, "they vanished like wraiths in the mist." Stempeck also noted that, to motivate parents to serve in the pits at the National Matches, he created the "pit pig" t-shirt. It has quickly become a badge of honor.  |
 This is a shirt you have to earn. Stempeck came up with the idea of the "pit pigs" to motivate parents to serve in the pits at the National Matches. "I let them know they are appreciated."
|
