Bob Ryder ('75) became the first JMU athlete to win a national
championship when he captured the men's title at the 1973 U.S.
Intercollegiate Archery Championships. He was also named to the
All-America Archery Team in 1973. He placed third in the national meet
in 1974 and fourth in 1972. He was the National Collegiate Archery
Coaches Association men's national champion in 1971. He earned
invitations to five U.S. Olympic Trials and placed sixth in the 1972
Trials. He has won many state and regional titles, has competed in the
U.S. Olympic Festival, and has been a member of the U.S. National Team.
He served on the board of governors of the National Archery Association
and was vice president from 1981 to 1986. He was a founder and served as
president of the Virginia Archery Association and has served on the
board of directors of the Eastern Archery Association. He continues to
serve archery as a meet director and an official at the local, state and
national level.