NEW LONDON, Conn. — The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has hired Richard Hawkins, prior coach of a three-time U.S. National Shooting Team Championship winning team, as the first full-time academy shooting sports coach.
Hawkins coached at the international level during the twelve years he spent at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Ga., were he served as a pistol coach before accepting the position at the Coast Guard Academy. Having also previously served as the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's international rifle coach, Hawkins coached team members to both world championships and the Olympics.
"The level of discipline, dedication, and fitness of the service academy cadets is unparalleled among collegiate students," said Hawkins. "Working with cadets of this caliber will allow me to develop them into top competitors."
In addition to coaching, Hawkins has written several articles published in Shooting Sports Magazine, as well as conducted multiple shooting sports-related research projects that have been published in peer-review scientific journals.
Hawkins will report to the Coast Guard Academy Aug. 12. Through recruitment and by developing current shooters, Hawkins hopes to have Coast Guard Academy shooters competing at the national level.
