Muriel Erlandson
1934--
ALWAYS A HELPING HAND
Muriel's interest in archery began in 1952 when she and her husband Roger joined
the local archery club in Florence, Oregon. She won many local tournaments in
Northern California in the 1960's and 1970's, but Muriel has had much more to do
than just competition.
In 1992 Muriel assisted in forming the Discovery Park Archery Foundation to help
save the archery range located in Discovery Park. This is typical of the type of
helping hand she has offered to the sport of archery for over twenty years. In
1965 she and her late husband Roger opened Frontier Archery in Sacramento. They
were always open for and supportive of clubs not only in the Sacramento area but
all over California and Nevada. After Rogers death in 1980, Muriel continued to
run the business. Her duties at Frontier Archery ranged from arrow making to
bookkeeping and eventually her role changed to the promotion of the sport of
archery.
In 1967 Muriel and Roger organized the largest money shoot (at that lime) held
in California The shoot took place in a vacant JC Penney store. Another time
they leveled ground near an elementary school, planted grass, and hand-watered
it for months in order to host the 1967 California State Outdoor Championships
(this property is now a city park). Muriel was instrumental in the planning and
creation of the Pacific Coast Championships in 1972. In 1992, 1993, and 1994 she
helped coordinate and run the CBH-SAA State Target Championships held at
Discovery Park. Without her assistance this tournament might have disappeared
from our sport. Her donation of time and supplies has kept the tradition alive.
Both NAA and NFAA have benefited from her generous support.
She is on the AMO Save Our Heritage Committee. She has an active role in the NAA
and coordinates several tournament a year including the Pacific Coast
Championships. When the International Olympic Games were held in Los Angeles in
1984, Muriel was present with her help. An active supporter of the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer Foundation, she has
consistently demonstrated her interest in the conservation of our native animals
and a common sense approach to hunting. She has donated time and money to our
Legislative Team in the fight to retain our hunting rights.
Muriel has been involved with carp tournaments as well as local tournaments and
classes for kids. She believes in involving youths through a strong JOAD
program. Saturday mornings at the shop Muriel is helping Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts,
Girl Scouts, Brownies, Campfire Girls learn to appreciate archery. It is almost
impossible to attend an open shoot in California without hearing the name of
Frontier Archery on at least one of the raffle prizes that have been donated to
the clubs. Another of her interests is the Senior Olympics. Muriel Erlandson has
supplied targets for this event since it's inception. As you can see, Muriel
lives and breathes archery.
But Muriel is not just about archery, she finds time to be on the Board of the
Mercy Guild in Sacramento and the Sacramento Childrens Receiving Home. All this
has been accomplished while she was running a successful business and raising
three children who are also dedicated to archery.
Muriel Erlandson has been involved in archery for 45 years as a shooter,
business owner, promoter, and teacher and has touched the lives of thousands.
Muriel Erlandson, archer, businesswoman, promoter, and teacher.
Inducted 1998