The archery club at Northwestern State University has quickly become a space where students can challenge themselves, build confidence and find a community. Whether students join with years of experience or none, the club offers a relaxed yet encouraging environment where everyone improves at their own pace.
Practices create a place where members can destress from classes while learning a skill that requires both patience and focus. What stands out most about the club is the way it brings people together. Members lift each other, celebrate progress and create a sense of belonging that keeps students returning to the range each week.
Tyler Winchester, a sophomore psychology and addiction studies major, was passionate about archery for years. Still, it wasn’t until he saw the club’s table at Freshman Connection that he decided to join. “Something just clicked, and I thought, why not give it a shot?” Winchester said.
For him, the club has been more than a hobby—it’s been a space for personal growth. Being part of the club has allowed Winchester to strengthen his social and leadership skills and to become a better listener in everyday life.
Driven by the goal of eventually competing, Winchester hopes to inspire others as well. “I keep coming back because I know I can always do better,” Winchester said. “Every practice feels like a chance to beat the version of myself from last week.”
James Odom, a sophomore secondary education major who serves as the club’s vice president, also joined with prior experience. As vice president, Odom helps maintain the club’s atmosphere, ensuring new members feel the same encouragement he felt when he first arrived. “My main goal is to make sure everyone feels welcome the second they walk onto the field,” Odom said.
Archery taught Odom patience, consistency and the value of staying calm under pressure, qualities he knows will be useful in his future career as a teacher. It also gave him friendship and an environment like that of a second family.
He described the best moments of practice as those when everything aligns perfectly. “There’s this feeling when everything lines up, and the arrow lands exactly where you want it,” Odom said.
Ultimately, this is what the archery club stands for: growth, community and the shared belief that progress happens one arrow at a time. No matter their background or experience level, each member finds a place where they can improve, relax and belong. As the club continues to grow, it remains a meaningful part of campus life, a space where confidence is built, friendships form and students who walk onto the range can leave feeling a little more grounded than before.
