Pictured at VMI Pistol Club’s pistol shooting clinic Jan. 31– Feb. 1, 2026, are (back row, from left) Jeff Williams ’93, Cadet Sheng-Chun Tseng ’29, Cadet Varick Nitzsche ’29, Cadet Chase Boucher ’27, Cadet Jordan Dominguez ’29, Cadet Josiah Lee ’29, (front) Cadet Jamie Palacio ’27, Cadet Kate Patrick ’27, Cadet Andrei Hipol ’28, and Cadet Michael Schreiber ’28.
The VMI Pistol Club had the opportunity to learn the finer points of competitive pistol shooting from Jeff Williams ’93 Jan. 31–Feb. 1, 2026. Williams, a five-time national champion at Camp Perry, Ohio, was invited to try out for the 1992 Olympics and later became a U.S. Distinguished Pistol Shot and President’s Hundred shooter.
During the weekend, the cadets received a master class in competitive pistol shooting techniques. Repeating the slogan, “Consistency is accuracy; accuracy is consistency,” Williams passed along the finer points of shooting one perfect shot over and over and over again. The nine Pistol Club members spent 7 hours during the 2-day event, soaking up tips on everything from firearms safety to the importance of physical training and diet, to developing a consistent match routine and shooting process.
Despite the cold weather, the cadets had the opportunity to put what they learned into practice by working with Williams while shooting an air pistol in Kilbourne Hall’s indoor range.
According to Dale Hybl ’94, VMI Pistol Club coach, “The pistol clinic was an excellent opportunity for the cadets to learn new skills and take advantage of the expertise that an alumnus was willing and able to bring back to VMI. The clinic was also made possible by a generous donation from another VMI alumnus.”
Editor's Note: Story originally published by Virginia Military Institute.
