An in-depth history of Purdue University's best kept secret, the phenomenal achievements of its trap and skeet teams--142 national and world championships including 20 consecutive world championships, seven high overall team national championships during an eight year period (1996 to 2003) and 98 individual and team national championships at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships. Also, 17 Purdue University clay target shooters have been named All-Americans.

   Dr. Charles L. Rhykerd, Professor Emeritus of Agronomy at Purdue University, served as faculty advisor and coach of the Purdue Trap and Skeet Club for nearly a quarter of a century. Under Coach Rhykerd's guidance, Purdue University's trap and skeet team became the best collegiate trap and skeet team in the United States winning 142 national and world championships and had 17 team members named All-American. In 1985, Dr. Rhykerd was recognized nationally as "The Best of the Best of the Agriculture Professors" by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and in 1991, Coach Rhykerd was named "National Collegiate Shooting Coach of the Year". It is a rare achievement that during a university professor's career that he/she be named national professor of the year in his/her academic discipline and to be named a national coach of the year of an intercollegiate sport.

   Dr. Rhykerd also has the honor of being the recipient of the medallion award, the highest award given by the Agricultural University of Krakow in Poland and the University of Evora in Portugal in recognition of his outstanding contributions in teaching and research at these two historic European universities. Dr. Rhykerd was also involved in agricultural research and development projects in Pakistan, Africa, and South and Central America. In retirement, he has continued to be involved in cooperative agricutural research projects in Papua New Guinea and Swaziland while continuing to coach his daughter in International skeet.