Russ Hoogerhyde
Six-time U.S. national archery champion and Hall of Fame inductee.
Russell B. Hoogerhyde (February 26, 1906 – August 20, 1985) was an American archer who won six national championships between 1930 and 1940. He was among the first seven inductees into the Archery Hall of Fame when it was established in 1972.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1906-02-28
- Birth Place
- Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
- Death Date
- 1985-08-20
- Death Place
- Cook County, Illinois, US
- Known For
- Archery
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hoogerhyde took up archery at age 15 when an archery range opened in Grand Rapids on the site of a former billiards hall. He dropped out of high school at 17 to manage the range and later worked at a plant making bows and arrows. The range owner encouraged him to compete in the 1930 national tournament in Chicago and provided the equipment. Hoogerhyde won that tournament, becoming the first Midwesterner to claim the national title. He repeated as champion in 1931, setting a world record, and again in 1932, breaking his own record. After losing the 1933 title by six points to 17-year-old Ralph Miller, Hoogerhyde regained the championship in 1934 using a lemonwood bow. He retired from competition in the mid-1930s for business, then returned in 1937 to win a fifth national title. He won his sixth and final national championship in 1940.
Reader's Guide
Hoogerhyde's career spanned a decade of dominance in American archery, marked by six national championships and multiple world records. His 1932 score of 1,372 points broke his own world record of 1,353 set the previous year. Beyond competition, he was known for trick-shot exhibitions, including shooting a cigarette from a spectator's lips and a William Tell feat of shooting a balloon from a student's head. In 1938, he drew a crowd of 18,000 to an exhibition in Milwaukee. He performed these stunts without insurance, later recalling that he never missed. After retiring from competition in 1940, he worked for archery equipment manufacturers and operated a business in Northbrook, Illinois, selling gear and offering instruction. In 1972, he was among the first seven inductees into the Archery Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of the sport.
Did You Know?
- Hoogerhyde dropped out of high school at age 17 to manage an archery range.
- He was the first person from the Midwest to win the national archery championship.
- In 1931, he shot three perfect ends and placed 15 consecutive arrows in the gold.
- He performed trick shots without insurance, including shooting a balloon from Clyde Wentworth's mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Russ Hoogerhyde?
Russell B. Hoogerhyde was an American archer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who dominated U.S. competition throughout the 1930s. He earned six national titles and was later honored as a foundational figure in the sport.
How many U.S. national championships did Russ Hoogerhyde win?
Hoogerhyde captured six national titles between 1930 and 1940, beginning with his first victory at Grant Park in Chicago in 1930.
When was Russ Hoogerhyde inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame?
He was named among the very first seven inductees when the Archery Hall of Fame was created in 1972.
What world record did Russ Hoogerhyde set?
In 1932 he posted a world-record score of 1372, a benchmark that defined the top of the sport at the time.
Where and when was Russ Hoogerhyde born?
He was born on February 26, 1906, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and passed away on August 20, 1985, in Cook County, Illinois.
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