The International Bowhunter Organization (IBO) has announced the hiring of Ryan Bass to manage the popular and fast-growing NASP/IBO Challenge as it expands to include selected state NASP Championship venues in 2017 and beyond.

Bass, an avid bowhunter and retired Conservation Officer from South Carolina, has been involved in NASP for the past 13 years and most-recently served as the state NASP Coordinator. Under his guidance, the state program grew to include nearly 400 schools, while implementing the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge in 2015.

Bass brings an abundance of knowledge and dedication to the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge program.

"As the Director of NASP/IBO 3D, Ryan will manage the continued growth and development of the fastest growing youth archery program in the world," said IBO President, Bryan Marcum. "We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Ryan working with us in our efforts to make a difference in the lives of our youth."

Since its launch at the 2014 NASP National tournament in Louisville, Ky., the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge has been received with growing enthusiasm by NASP participants and coaches alike. At the 2016 NASP Nationals, where a total of 12,897 student archers took part in the target portion of the competition, a record 3,416 youngsters opted to compete in the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge. Of those 4,145 attending the 2016 NASP World Tournament, 1,120 chose to participate in the IBO/3D section of the event. The top five males, top five females, and top three teams in the elementary, middle, and high school divisions received medals, plaques and trophies.

"I am excited to be a part of the NASP/IBO team. My entire career has been spent promoting conservation education and the youth shooting sports," Bass said. "I am looking forward to working with our great partners and sponsors as we expand and introduce the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge to our youth archers across the nation."

NASP President Roy Grimes Roy hailed Bass' addition as an indication of a bright future for NASP, IBO, and student archers worldwide.

"We are excited about the prospects of Ryan Bass, expanding the NASP/IBO 3D Challenge to more state tournaments and grassroots clubs serving student archers in local NASP schools," said Grimes.

Learn more at: http://ibo001.businesscatalyst.com/nasp and http://naspschools.org/