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Life-Changing Arrow Brings Archer to Foley

Foley will be hosting the HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals October 2 – 4 and one of the archers attending never dreamed he’d be shooting at this particular event, until his passion for the sport completely changed his trajectory in life.

          Nathan Jackson fell in love with archery in 2019 at the age of 13 when he attended a summer camp in Rhome, Texas. Soon he was shooting regularly before making a natural progression into competition. Throughout high school Jackson’s archery career advanced. He gained a sponsor and by 2023 had medaled in his first USA Archery Team (USAT) event.

              But as Jackson graduated high school in 2024, he knew he would always love archery, but he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life outside the sport. He decided he would take a year off and devote himself to his favorite sport before reevaluating his future. He had considered trade school or maybe pursue a talent for cooking at culinary school.

              During his gap year Jackson shot better than he ever had and consistent strong finishes had him sitting atop the USAT rankings going into the Rebel Gear Buckeye Classic in July of 2025. Jackson said it had always been a challenging competition but he made some form changes and mental changes that helped him reach the gold medal match against a good friend. He said it was a match and a final arrow he’d never forget. Little did he know that others were watching.

              After his big win at the Buckeye Classic, University of Rio Grande offered Jackson a scholarship. It was a shock because he’d never felt he’d be able to afford college and suddenly his passion for archery had lead him to a whole new path he had never dreamed of.

              “My reaction to going to Rio Grande was speechlessness. I didn’t know what to say. I was excited, nervous, a little scared that it was a dream,” Jackson said. “If I hadn’t put so much work into archery, I’d still be at home not knowing what to do. I don’t know where I’d be in life if I hadn’t put so much time and dedication into this amazing sport. This sport has opened so many doors for me… Archery changed my life so much I went from playing games and going to school, not being very social at all, to being able to make friends wherever I go and have a good time competing and practicing with friends.”

              Jackson’s coach Jonathan Clemins said the decision to bring him onto the team was quick. Clemins first spoke to Jackson and his family just eight days before the university’s move in day. But even though the timeline was short, the coach said he believes Jackson’s impact on the team will be significant and long lasting.

“Nathan came to us as an accomplished target archer but brand new to 3D. We had to make significant changes to his equipment, his setup, and the way he approached the game strategically. To be honest, he picked up on 3D faster than probably anyone I’ve ever coached through that transition,” Clemins said. “Not only has Nathan met the demanding expectations I have of every athlete in our program, he has consistently exceeded them. Beyond our team practices and workouts, he’s been proactive about learning, refining his technique, and now even looking into dialing in his nutrition to maximize his performance. That kind of commitment is exactly what I’ve come to expect from this team.”

                Jackson will be shooting in Foley with the University of Rio Grande team at the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals. USA Archery Director of Sport Development, Callie Grieser said “Nathan’s story is a wonderful example of what collegiate archery can provide. The Collegiate Archery Program doesn’t just give athletes a place to compete – it creates life-changing opportunities through education, training, and a supportive team environment. USA Archery is proud to see student-athletes like Nathan discover new pathways for their future through this program.”

             City of Foley Executive Director of Leisure Services David Thompson said it’s the mission of Foley Sports Tourism to bring in impactful events, but often times those impacts reach far beyond the city’s economic data.

             “We have always wanted Foley to be a place for lasting memories to be made. A place people associate with wonderful times in their lives,” Thompson said. “The opportunity to host events like the USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals allows us to be the backdrop for these archers to have moments just like Nathan did at the Buckeye Classic, memories of that last arrow and the thrill of a win that can change your life. We love being a part of incredible sporting events, but what we really love is being a part of those moments.”

                For more information on the HotelPlanner USA Archery Collegiate 3D Nationals or any Foley Sports Tourism event, visit our events page.