The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' Archery in Louisiana Schools Program (ALAS), a member of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), will host the 2015 ALAS State Tournament on Saturday, March 7 in Alexandria.

The event is open to the public and will be held at the LSU AgCenter Storm Shelter, 8125 Hwy. 71. Admission is $3 for adults, and anyone 18 years of age and under is admitted free. The first flight of competitors will begin at 8 a.m. and the last flight will begin at 5:20 p.m. An awards ceremony will be held following the final flight at approximately 6:45.

LDWF needs volunteers to assist with the tournament as lane officials. Anyone 18 years of age and over can volunteer and volunteers receive a state tournament t-shirt and lunch on the day of the competition. Those interested in volunteering are asked to call 318-484-2276 or send an email to rstroede@wlf.la.gov.

Eight hundred of the top student archers in Louisiana will compete for the opportunity to qualify for the NASP National Tournament, as well as the opportunity to win individual and team awards. The state tournament qualifiers were among over 1,000 students who competed at this year's two ALAS Regional Qualifying Tournaments.

Archers at the state tournament compete for the top spots in each school level from elementary through high school. Trophies, prize bows and scholarships are also awarded. This year, thanks to sponsors including the Central Louisiana Quality Deer Management Association, the Louisiana Archery and Sports Center, and the National Archery in the Schools Program, $7,500.00 in scholarships will be presented.

This year's tournament will include the new NASP/IBO 3-D challenge where students will be able to try their hand at shooting 3-D animal targets with the same NASP equipment that they use to compete in the bull's eye competition. LDWF will have their mobile aquarium on site and the Treehouse Museum of Alexandria will be hosting their annual Kite Day on the grounds as well. There will be exhibitors and vendors on site throughout the day providing food and beverages.

A special thank you to all sponsors of this year's ALAS State Tournament including: Central Louisiana Quality Deer Management Association, NASP, Louisiana Archery and Sports Center, Louisiana Branch of the National Wild Turkey Federation, GAEDA, Louisiana National Guard, Alexandria Pineville Visitors and Convention Bureau, Outlaws BBQ, H & E Equipment, Y-Not Stop, Morrell Targets, Cenla Signs, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, and the LSU AgCenter.

ALAS is a part of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) that is designed to introduce students in grades 4-12 to international target style archery. As the name states, the program is designed to be taught as part of the in-school curriculum. Most commonly the program is integrated into the schools PE program and is taught within the school's gymnasium. Once exposed to the program many schools develop after school programs and archery clubs. Students at schools that teach the ALAS curriculum are then eligible to compete in state, national, and even world tournaments.

The sport of archery is a great way to get students involved in not only a lifelong sport, but also in their school and into the outdoors. ALAS strives to inspire confidence through the focus and discipline that the sport of archery requires. The results speak for themselves. Nationwide over 13 million students have participated in the National Archery in the Schools program in its first 13 years. Just last year over 2.3 million students participated in NASP, more than participated in Little League.

For more information regarding the ALAS program: visit our Facebook page at ALAS-Archery in Louisiana Schools or contact program coordinator Robert Stroede at 318-484-2276 or rstroede@wlf.la.gov .