Murray State University Athletics
Lollar Begins 8th Season With Murray State Rifle
8/17/2014 3:03:00 PM | Rifle
Alan Lollar enters his eighth season as the head coach of Murray State's storied rifle program. Under his leadership, the Racers have won two OVC Championships and finished as high as fifth nationally.
All success is not limited to the range. Three times under Lollar the rifle team has won the OVC Team Academic Achievement Award, which is presented annually in each conference-sponsored sport to the member institution's team with the greatest percentage of its eligible student-athletes who achieved a 3.25 grade point average or higher.Â
"We talk about the "Murray State Way". It's a way of going about everything you do, to be the best you can be. It's the way we train, compete and live. It's a standard. Those that accept the challenge have the chance realize their dreams."
Placing athletes on our national development teams is evidence of that.
Kelsey Emme and Emily Quiner have competed well on the international stage and it's common to see Racers in the finals at our national competitions.
Twice Lollar has been named OVC Coach of the Year, and was the recipient of the NRA Award for Service to Collegiate Shooting Sports. But when asked, he talks about another.
"I think the one that is most special was the one from the MSU Student Athletes. When the student athletes notice, it means you are doing something right."
Murray State has produced 146 All-Americans since Bob Beard garnered the honor in 1960, the first for a Racer shooter. Lollar has coached the last 11 All-Americans.
In the 2010-11 season, the Racers won their second straight Ohio Valley Conference Championship (11th overall) and advanced to the NCAA Rifle Championships, where they finished fifth, moving up from a seventh place finish in 2009-2010.
Lollar relates well to the student-athletes in his charge. When he talks about his team, you can tell how much he loves to coach and how much he cares for the MSU program. He was introduced to NCAA Rifle by the legendary Racer coach Elvis Green.
"It took about five seconds to really feel at home with Racer Rifle. Coach Green and the team made me feel a part of the family from day one. I think that's special about Murray State. It's family."
Lollar assisted in the conduction of home matches and became the NCAA Tournament director when Murray State hosted the NCAA Rifle Championships. Which returned to Murray State after ten years last March.
"Last March was really exciting. We have hosted many time before, but this time we were able to do it in a way that really showcased the sport."
After the smallbore competition was conducted on the Pat Spurgin Range, the Championship culminated with the air rifle competition held in the CFSB Center. A crowd estimated at 500 or more viewed the final day.
"We could not have done that without the great support of the community and Murray State."
Bottom line, he is exactly where he wants to be.
"I was honored to get the chance to coach this team and try to add to the rich history we have. We have had so many great athletes and coaches, I just want to do my part."
"The best part about it for me are the relationships I have with our team members," Lollar said. "These years are ones that I want our student-athletes to look back on and see how they made some friends for life and that the hard work they put in paid off, not only on the range, but in life. Murray State is such a special place."
The Racers train and compete on the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range. Arguably the best in the country.
"We have a great opportunity here because we have a first class facility, a school and administration that supports rifle, and that priceless thing called "Racer Family."
During his tenure, Murray State has grown from a paper target range, to 16 state-of-the-art firing points. Electronic targets with lighted face plates. The spectator viewing area sports three monitors and all Racer home matches are streamed live on the internet.
"When I took the job, Mr. Ward made the commitment to upgrade the range and over the last seven years we have climbed into the 21st century. Now anyone, anywhere can follow the Racers home matches and many of the away contests. That's big when you recruit across the country and now around the world."
Last year the Racers introduced their first international shooter, Katarina Bisercic from Serbia.
'We were fortunate to get Katy for one year as an exchange student. I think it has helped open the doors for us worldwide. She had a great year for us, all-American in Air Rifle, and is making an impact back home on the national stage."
A 1981 graduate of Mississippi State University, Lollar is married to the former Liz Weglicki of Paducah. The couple has two children, Maggie and John.
All success is not limited to the range. Three times under Lollar the rifle team has won the OVC Team Academic Achievement Award, which is presented annually in each conference-sponsored sport to the member institution's team with the greatest percentage of its eligible student-athletes who achieved a 3.25 grade point average or higher.Â
"We talk about the "Murray State Way". It's a way of going about everything you do, to be the best you can be. It's the way we train, compete and live. It's a standard. Those that accept the challenge have the chance realize their dreams."
Placing athletes on our national development teams is evidence of that.
Kelsey Emme and Emily Quiner have competed well on the international stage and it's common to see Racers in the finals at our national competitions.
Twice Lollar has been named OVC Coach of the Year, and was the recipient of the NRA Award for Service to Collegiate Shooting Sports. But when asked, he talks about another.
"I think the one that is most special was the one from the MSU Student Athletes. When the student athletes notice, it means you are doing something right."
Murray State has produced 146 All-Americans since Bob Beard garnered the honor in 1960, the first for a Racer shooter. Lollar has coached the last 11 All-Americans.
In the 2010-11 season, the Racers won their second straight Ohio Valley Conference Championship (11th overall) and advanced to the NCAA Rifle Championships, where they finished fifth, moving up from a seventh place finish in 2009-2010.
Lollar relates well to the student-athletes in his charge. When he talks about his team, you can tell how much he loves to coach and how much he cares for the MSU program. He was introduced to NCAA Rifle by the legendary Racer coach Elvis Green.
"It took about five seconds to really feel at home with Racer Rifle. Coach Green and the team made me feel a part of the family from day one. I think that's special about Murray State. It's family."
Lollar assisted in the conduction of home matches and became the NCAA Tournament director when Murray State hosted the NCAA Rifle Championships. Which returned to Murray State after ten years last March.
"Last March was really exciting. We have hosted many time before, but this time we were able to do it in a way that really showcased the sport."
After the smallbore competition was conducted on the Pat Spurgin Range, the Championship culminated with the air rifle competition held in the CFSB Center. A crowd estimated at 500 or more viewed the final day.
"We could not have done that without the great support of the community and Murray State."
Bottom line, he is exactly where he wants to be.
"I was honored to get the chance to coach this team and try to add to the rich history we have. We have had so many great athletes and coaches, I just want to do my part."
"The best part about it for me are the relationships I have with our team members," Lollar said. "These years are ones that I want our student-athletes to look back on and see how they made some friends for life and that the hard work they put in paid off, not only on the range, but in life. Murray State is such a special place."
The Racers train and compete on the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range. Arguably the best in the country.
"We have a great opportunity here because we have a first class facility, a school and administration that supports rifle, and that priceless thing called "Racer Family."
During his tenure, Murray State has grown from a paper target range, to 16 state-of-the-art firing points. Electronic targets with lighted face plates. The spectator viewing area sports three monitors and all Racer home matches are streamed live on the internet.
"When I took the job, Mr. Ward made the commitment to upgrade the range and over the last seven years we have climbed into the 21st century. Now anyone, anywhere can follow the Racers home matches and many of the away contests. That's big when you recruit across the country and now around the world."
Last year the Racers introduced their first international shooter, Katarina Bisercic from Serbia.
'We were fortunate to get Katy for one year as an exchange student. I think it has helped open the doors for us worldwide. She had a great year for us, all-American in Air Rifle, and is making an impact back home on the national stage."
A 1981 graduate of Mississippi State University, Lollar is married to the former Liz Weglicki of Paducah. The couple has two children, Maggie and John.
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