Ray Chapman Sadly Ray left us in 2008. The NRA Bianchi Cup would not exist if it had not been for Ray. Ray’s shooting career began at the age of 16 as a Marine in WWII. Many of his principles for defensive shooting came from this experience. His activities as a law enforcement officer reinforced them. At the request of fellow officers he began teaching these principles. He perfected his skills and became involved in competitive shooting. Ray went on to win more than 250 major shooting tournaments. The most prestigious was the inaugural World Championship of Practical Shooting in 1975. The demands for his teaching became such that he took early retirement as an engineer and moved to Columbia, Missouri, to open the Chapman Academy of Practical Shooting. As Ray’s reputation grew his school also gained a reputation for excellence among shooters. Ray strives for perfection in everything he does. That effort is reflected in the course curriculums offered at the Academy. Ray always incorporated new techniques to improve the presentation and content of the programs. Ray reduced his participation in the hands-on instruction of the Academy after fifty years of shooting and teaching. His personal involvement now consists of working with certain returning groups. Ray’s influence at the Academy continues through the instruction of his long time associate and Director John Skaggs, and the staff they have trained. Effective shot placement, moving quickly, and using cover are the three essentials of practical defensive shooting. They are continually emphasized when any of Ray’s instructors are teaching. Ray passed away on February 2, 2008; his legacy will continue through his instructors and the people he has trained to win. Ray was a Patron Member of the National Rifle Association. Picture and biography courtesy of www.chapmanacademy.com
www.nrahq.org/compete
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