In Memory of a Good Friend

 

Col. Bill is best remembered, however, for his tireless devotion to junior shooting. In every leadership position he held, he was a strong advocate of bringing more youth into shooting. He worked especially hard to provide new junior clubs with equipment to help them get started, often at great personal sacrifice. When Col. Bill passed away in February 2000, junior shooting in America lost one of its great champions. To memorialize Col. Deneke’s efforts on behalf of junior shooting, the Virginia Shooting Sports Association presented a new trophy to the CMP’s historic collection of National Trophies. An original bronze was commissioned and paid for through contributions from VSSA members and Col. Bill’s many friends. The bronze depicts a pair of junior shooters in the prone position being coached in a team match by Col. Bill. The new trophy was presented and dedicated on August 4 by Col. Deneke’s widow, Mrs. Lois Deneke, his daughter, Ms. Sara Deneke, and Mr. Jim Morgan, who represented the VSSA. The Deneke Trophy will recognize a “National Junior Rifle Team” based on scores fired in three National Trophy Rifle events, the President’s Match, the National Trophy Individual Rifle Match and the Whistler Boy Highpower Rifle Team Match. The top six juniors overall in those matches, along with the coach and captain of the winning Whistler Boy Team, receive Col. Bill Deneke Medallions and will have their names inscribed on the trophy. The members of the first National Junior Team are: Kelly Kasper, WI, score 1262-34X Jeremy Branning, PA, score 1257-27X James Fox, OR, score 1254-36X Adam Bester, PA, score 1253-41X Sergei Tsalapatanis, NY, score 1252-31X Joseph Upton, NC, score 1252-25X Coach: MSG Jonathon Shew, OR Captain: Benjamin Fox, OR