About Us
About the Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC)
The Georgia Southern University Shooting Sports Education Center (SSEC) is a partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The 30,000 square foot facility is open to the public and equipped to serve a variety of shooting sports interests through the 16 lane, 25 meter firing range, 16 lane, 25 meter archery center and two training rooms.
Our purpose is to provide a hub for the shooting sports in southeast Georgia. Through instructional programs, training classes, recreation, competition, and special events we serve a variety of individuals including youth, adults, students, law enforcement, hunters, 1st time shooters, elite athletes, all groups interested in participating and learning more about the shooting sports.
Our facility would not be possible without the commitment from The Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division, the Easton Sports Development Foundation, the Archery Trade Association and the city of Statesboro.
The SSEC is located in a school safety zone. Therefore, all users must first become a member to utilize the facility unless they are participating in a training program or competition.
SSEC Hours
Spring 2023 Operating Hours | January 9 – April 29
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | 1pm - 9pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 7pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Spring 2023 Special Hours
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| MLK Holiday | Jan 16 | 1pm-7pm |
| Spring Break | Mar 13-17 | 1pm-8pm |
| Memorial Day | May 24 | Closed |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Closed |
Our Location
SSEC Staff
Matt Horst
Director
Matt Horst has been involved with the center since its inception, where he guided it from idea to completion as part of the SSEC development and design team. Previous to this appointment, Matt served as the Director of Recreation Programs and Risk Management for 9 years with Campus Recreation & Intramurals, and 4 years as the Intramural and Club Sports Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Matt earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and his Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his passion for shooting sports, Matt is a high school football and basketball sports official.
Contact: mhorst@georgiasouthern.edu
Ashley MacAllister
Assistant Director
Ashley MacAllister joined the center in 2020, previously coaching the University of Nebraska-Lincoln rifle team and Puerto Rico National and Olympic team for 5 years. Before that, she was the assistant coach for the University of Kentucky rifle team and Graduate assistant coach for the Murray State Rifle Team. Ashley was a competitive archery athlete herself, starting in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). She was a two-time archery national champion before switching her focus to rifle and joining the Murray State University rifle team. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Murray State University. Ashley’s husband works with the Men’s basketball program here at GA Southern, the couple have one son, Ezekiel and one daughter, Adeline.
Contact: amacallister@georgiasouthern.edu
Cassy Pelton
Archery Coach
Cassy Pelton graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BS in Biology in May 2018. She worked as a Student Assistant at the Shooting Sports Education Center since its opening in 2015. Cassy began shooting archery at the age of 14. She competed on her local 4-H Team, Emmanuel College’s Varsity Team, and then Southern Eagles Archery at Georgia Southern. During her time at Georgia Southern she had the privilege of representing the United States of America at the 2016 World Team Championships in Ankara, Turkey. Her current archery certifications include: USA Archery Level 4 NTS, USA Judge Certification, S3DA Advanced Instructor, and NASP Basic Instructor Certification. Cassy is driven to impart her passion of archery on young archers across the country.
Contact: cpelton@georgiasouthern.edu
Last updated: 1/10/2023
