HALLOFFAME
42
2020 HALL OF FAME 2021 INDUCTEES
BY KARLA HARRISON
As the world becomes healthier and lives have slowly returned to “normal” it is now business as usual for some gun clubs and that includes the World Shooting and Recreational Complex and the Trapshooting Hall of Fame near Sparta, Illinois. The celebration of the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees was put on hold due to the pandemic but its back on the calendar to be held on August 10, 2021. Willis Corbett, Mike Fisher, Robert (Bob) Malmstedt and Jennifer Rutger will officially be welcomed into the elite group of shooting greats. No additional 2021 inductees will be added. Tickets for advance reservations are for sale at $65 each. Contact Laurie Penford at www.traphof.org All tickets must be picked up by NOON on Tuesday, August 10 at the HOF Museum. A social hour prior to the banquet will be held in the Events Center at the WSRC. Induction ceremonies will follow the meal. TRAPSHOOTINGUSA
WILLIS CORBETT 2020-2021 has had other challenges in addition to the COVID crisis with racial unrest and cries for diversity rising to prominence. It is fitting that incoming inductee, Willis Corbitt led the march to include fellow minority shooters into the ranks of the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). He was the first of his race to receive an ATA life membership, opening up opportunities to compete at clubs that had previously been closed to him and other shooters of color. Corbett went on to work with Winchester-Olin, the National Rifle Association and major corporations to further benefit trapshooting. As a field representative for WinchesterOlin, his friendship with John Olin was the beginning of many associations with other businessmen including Harvey Firestone (Firestone Tire) and Jimmy Plinton of Trans World Airlines (TWA) plus other
celebrities and political dignitaries thus opening doors for both men and women of color. In 1968, Corbett represented Winchester Rifles on a big game African safari sponsored by TWA. Articles written about that hunt appeared in various publications (including Ebony Magazine) and put a spotlight on African-American hunters. His association with the Missouri Department of Conservation led to developing new opportunities for youth shooters. As one of the founders (2006) and past president for the Missouri Youth Shooting Sports Association, MYSSA continues to promote youth involvement in various shooting sports. Corbett’s connection with the Busch family eventually brought in large sponsorships for many events including the Budweiser Handicap at the Grand American. According to past ATA President, Tom Arvis, “Willis was the first link between the ATA and Budweiser.” That support to the
Grand has continued from a local distributor in southern Illinois. In 2011, Willis Corbett was the 39th member inducted into the Missouri Trapshooters Association Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Jo reside in St. Louis, Missouri.
MIKE FISHER A young quail hunter from north Missouri got his first experience at trapshooting at a local meat shoot. But when he became acquainted with a fellow student during his university years, his introduction to trap changed his casual pastime into a passion that has taken him across the country and beyond. Mike Fisher’s study buddy just happened to be the son of a Missouri State Handicap Champion. After some coaching and practice, Fisher began registering ATA targets in 1971. Over the years, clubs such as the
