USA Shooting Announces Hall of Fame Inductees

[USA Shooting]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— USA Shooting has officially announced the induction of Launi Meili and Colonel Joseph Berry into the International Shooting Hall of Fame for 2004.

Meili, a coach for the University of Nebraska Rifle Team, has an extensive list of athletic accomplishments including being a member of the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Teams, winning an Olympic gold in women’s three-position rifle in 1992, and setting two Olympic records in that gold medal performance. Meili set three Olympic records, three world records and more than 100 National records in her shooting career. She was an air rifle gold medalist at the 1988 World Cup Final, and finished on top in a number of World Championship, World Cup, and Olympic Festival competitions.

Col. Joe Berry was elected to the Hall of Fame based upon his accomplishments off the
range. Berry managed the USAR Shooting Program for 17 years. In 1968, the International Rifle Team was created by his recommendation to the first Chief, Army Reserve, MG William Sutton. From 1967-76, Berry was a member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Committee. He also was a licensed U.I.T Judge, a Team Leader for numerous International games including the 1976 and 1984 Olympics and the 1974, 1978 and 1986
World Championships, a member of the Confederation of the America’s Executive Committee, and the Director of the U.S. Shooting Team from 1980-83. Berry was also the Shooting Delegate to the USOC House of Delegates and the Director of Operations for USA Shooting during 1994-95.

The USA Shooting Board of Directors and the current International Shooting Hall of Fame members vote on the Hall of Fame inductees. This year’s winners will be provided with a bronze plaque during the USA Shooting luncheon at the 2005 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. They will also receive an honorary life membership to USA Shooting, and will receive all associated benefits and recognition provided with life membership.

For more information or a full list of the Hall of Fame Inductees, please contact Sara Greenlee at sara.greenlee@usashooting.org.