20th Annual Texas-National Archery in the Schools Championship to Draw Thousands of Students to San Antonio March 20-21

Jan. 14, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

News ImageShare on FacebookShare Release URL

AUSTIN - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will celebrate a major milestone in 2026 as it hosts the 20th anniversary of the Texas State National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Bullseye & 3D Tournament. The event will take place March 20 -21, at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, bringing together thousands of young archers from across the state for two days of competition, scholarships and state pride.

More than 5,000 students representing nearly 200 schools are expected to participate this year in both the Bullseye and 3D archery disciplines. Students will have the chance to earn scholarships, awards and qualification slots for the NASP National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.

"Reaching the 20-year mark is a testament to the dedication of our students, educators, coaches, and partners across Texas," said Kendrick Gray, Outreach and Recruitment Manager for TPWD. "We are especially grateful to the Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation and the Texas Wildlife Association- Texas Youth Hunting Program for many years of successful partnership in expanding school-based outdoor education. Together with NASP, these partnerships continue to strengthen pathways for young people to discover archery, outdoor recreation, and conservation."

The Texas NASP (TX-NASP) program plays a significant role in the state's hunter and bowhunter education efforts. NASP teams are co-ed and create inclusive opportunities for students of all backgrounds and skill levels. Participating schools represent a wide range of communities and campus types, from small rural districts to large metropolitan campuses, private campuses and homeschools programs - reflecting the broad reach and accessibility of the program.

NASP also serves as an excellent example of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation in action. Beyond sportsmanship, archery directly supports conservation in Texas. A federal excise tax placed on archery equipment is returned to TPWD in the form of dedicated federal grants, and these funds help support many of the programs Texans value most - wildlife conservation, habitat management, public access and recreation, law enforcement, outdoor education and more. Through archery, students are not only learning skills and confidence, but they are also helping sustain the natural resources they enjoy.

The TX-NASP will award more than $50,000 in continuing education scholarships at this year's tournament. Since the inaugural event in 2006, the program has awarded more than $180,000 to top-performing student archers.

Scholarships will be presented to the top five male and top five female high school archers, along with trophies, medals, and new equipment for top performers in all divisions. First-place male and female archers in each division will receive Genesis bows, and the highest-scoring male and female archers overall will each take home a limited-edition Genesis bow. Prize drawings will be held throughout the tournament.

Students participating in the state finals first qualified during the January statewide virtual qualifying event, which featured thousands of archers from campuses offering TX-NASP as part of their in-school curriculum.

The first-place team in each division automatically advances to the NASP National Tournament. Additional teams may qualify based on score, and the top 1st - 10th place male and female individuals in each division will also earn a spot at nationals.

NASP is a non-profit foundation supported by generous sponsors and partners who help make youth archery programs possible nationwide.

To learn more about the Texas National Archery in the Schools Program, visit the TPWD archery website.