Alexandria Technical and Community College launches collegiate archery team, a first for 2-year colleges in Minnesota.

Alexandria, MN —Alexandria Technical and Community College continues to be a pioneer in higher education in Minnesota by establishing an archery team, becoming the first 2-year college in Minnesota to offer competitive archery through USA Archery's Collegiate Archery Program.

Alexandria College is Minnesota's top-rated community college for cost, academic programs, and job placement. The college is a destination college with over 50% of the student body coming from distances exceeding 50 miles. Alexandria College offers on-campus student housing, fostering a vibrant campus community.

The addition of the archery team will continue to enhance the student life programming and athletic opportunities available to students.

"Alexandria Technical and Community College has been working with the Alexandria Shooting Park for many years with our Clay Target League, and to partner together to host archery is a great fit for our community," said Sean Johns, dean of educational services and athletic director. "We're proud to be a destination college for prospective high school students across the state and surrounding region who are deciding to go to college, and to give them the opportunity to pursue their passion of Archery and also reside in Minnesota."

The head coach of the Legends archery team is Dan Gates. Gates, an Alexandria College alum, is a USA Archery level two certified instructor. His passion for archery stems from bow hunting with his father while growing up in central Minnesota.

Gates's love of archery has led him to share it with others and donate his time to contribute to the development of youth archery in central Minnesota. In 2019, he became the youth archery coach for the Douglas County 4H Shooting Sports and Wildlife program through the University of Minnesota Extension. Archery has been a quickly growing sport with the help of programs like 4H and National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

"I am very eager to begin the work to build a highly successful collegiate archery program here in Alexandria and am honored to be leading our Legends," Gates said. "I look forward to being able to continue developing archers' abilities, at the state collegiate level. I am confident that Alexandria College will have positive representation for Minnesota Athletics and look forward to putting my ever-expanding archery knowledge to work for our athletes' individual and team success."  

The assistant coach for the Legends Archery team is Tyler Notch. Like Gates, Notch's love of archery was created through bow hunting with his father in Minnesota. Notch is one of the four owners of the Alexandria Shooting Park. He also serves as the current Alexandria Chamber of Commerce board president, sits on the Alexandria City Planning Commission, and serves on the Executive Board of the Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Board of Directors.

"I have a passion for coaching others," Notch said. "Being able to serve as the assistant coach for the Legends Archery team gives me an opportunity to ensure the future of the sport and help our younger generations find passion in the sport like I have. Archery has truly changed my life for the positive, and I am eager to help others find their true selves through archery."

The addition of the Legends Archery team and the building of the J.A. Wedum Foundation Hall shows how Alexandria College continues innovating and strengthening its commitment to education, athletics, and fostering a thriving student community.