In Memoriam
USA Shooting Mourns Passing of Rifle Great Ernie Vande Zande The USA Shooting community is once again mourning the death of one of its greatest competitors and ambassadors with the passing of rifle standout Ernest J. Vande Zande. Vande Zande passed away September 29 at the age of 70 at his home after a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer. Vande Zande was born April 23, 1948 in McCook, Nebraska. Along with a brilliant shooting career, Vande Zande was known for the care and compassion he extended for those closest to him and especially the shooting community he loved. In 1999, he established an endowment fund carrying his mother’s name (Wyatt Vande Zande Foundation), to provide funding to organizations with educational programs for battered women. He attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and competed in the sport of rifle where he earned four year All American honors, and four National Championships. He graduated in 1971 with a degree in Business Administration. He was inducted into the Murray State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. To his death, he continued to help and support the Racer rifle team behind his signature line of “It’s great at State.” He left an indelible
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Ernie Vande Zande pictured during his time with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Vande Zande also pictured front row, third from right. Photos courtesy of USAMU.
USA Shooting News | End of Year 2018
mark that will stand the test of time. “I don’t know how many people asked me who is that guy always saying, ‘It’s great at State!’” said Alan Lollar, current head coach for the Murray State Rifle Team. “Ernie was more than an alumnus and there is no doubt he was proud of being from Murray State. Ernie and Bill Beard spearheaded a fundraising campaign that has meant the world to our team, but he was more than a fundraiser. He was a great shooter that tirelessly helped any shooter who would listen and show commitment to excellence. He was my mentor, always there to listen, give an opinion, but always support. I would not be here without him. Most of all, he was a friend, one of the best people I have ever known. If it is ‘Great at State,’ it’s because Ernie helped make it that way.” To honor Vande Zande, MSU will create the first individual rifle award in school history, which will celebrate the highest prone average rifle athlete each year. Vande Zande’s involvement impacting the sport he loves is nothing new. As project director, he was instrumental in the raising of the current USA Shooting headquarters and shooting range in Colorado Springs. He’s seen first-hand the im-