USAS Mourns Losses of Former Athletes and Infl uential Leaders
Former CMP State Director Joe Mucelli
Joseph B. “Joe” Mucelli, whose instructional efforts helped tens of thousands of youth learn to shoot safely and accurately, passed away in San Francisco, Calif., on July 26, 2012. Joe served as the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) California State Director from 1999 through 2010. He was born in 1936, entered the U. S. Army in 1957 and served for 21 years with service in Vietnam. He retired from the Army in
1978 as a Major and subsequently became an Army JROTC Instructor at Lowell High School in San Francisco. Under Joe’s tutelage, Lowell High School rose to be a national rifl e team power and his teams competed successfully in many national junior competitions. Joe’s marksmanship efforts were distinguished by his unselfi sh and untiring efforts to share his knowledge with other JROTC and junior club team leaders and their team members. He traveled throughout the West putting on instructional clinics that were always in high demand. Joe’s personal dedication to
sharing his knowledge with other instructors and coaches signifi cantly improved the quality and impact
Princeton Coach Joseph Sundra Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Joseph Sundra, the Head Coach of the Princeton University Rifl e Team for over 25 years, and Coach/Trustee/Founder of the International Marksmanship Center (IMCI), died following a brief illness at Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, N.J., with his beloved sister Lucy at his side. A resident of McAdoo, Pa., and Princeton N.J., Joe Sundra
of junior rifl e marksmanship in California, the west and the whole country. In 2005, Joe became a member of the original planning group that designed and developed the JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course (JMIC) that since has trained and certifi ed over 5,000 JROTC marksmanship instructors. In addition to his service as
a CMP State Director and his many contributions in teaching marksmanship to other coaches and juniors, he also was active in the Golden Gate Rifl e and Pistol Association where he engaged in competitive pistol shooting and served as a club President. Joe Mucelli leaves behind legions of friends. The CMP joins them in mourning the loss of someone who truly made a difference in furthering youth marksmanship and the sport of competitive shooting.
Former Shooter Major Verle F. Wright Jr. The MMA announces with deep sadness the passing of Major Verle F. Wright, Jr., 84, a resident of Hemphill, Texas, on November 4, 2012. Verle was recently inducted into the USAMU Hall of Fame at the October 2012 reunion. Verle, the "Old Pro," won 19 medals in international rifl e competition (eight gold, seven silver and four bronze). He set one individual world record and was a member of two world-record setting teams.
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was a retired veteran who was schooled in the U.S. Army in the fi eld of special weapons. Joe recently coached juniors who competed in the 2012 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships and the 2012 National Progressive Position Air Pistol Championship. Isabelita Perez, President of the International Marksmanship Center, issued the following statement: “We all mourn the tragic loss of our beloved trustee and true friend, Joe Sundra, who continually gave of himself in guiding and shaping the students who were fortunate enough to be placed in his charge. He was a gifted teacher and coach.” For over a quarter century, Joe imparted his wisdom to younger generations in the sport of shooting, as he inspired them to not only compete at the highest level to achieve their personal best, but in the process to also use their experience to mold their personal standards of sportsmanship, commitment and dedication. Sandy Fong of the Princeton University Rifl e Team and a
2008 Olympian added, “Joe was a kind soul, a tireless worker, and an incredible champion for the Princeton rifl e team and the sport of shooting. Princeton University lost an amazing member of its community, but I know his legacy will live on in each and every student he helped and mentored along the way. Rest in peace Joe.” Joe Sundra is survived by his sister, Lucy S. Kearns, and
her husband, Robert from Granite Falls, N.C., six nieces and four nephews from Pennsylvania.