This Trophy began in 1957 when the League organized. It was the North against the South. Not the Yankees vs. the Rebels, not over issues of states rights or slavery. Those are relatively simple, petty issues. No, the Paul Broughton Award Travel Trophy was meant for League Domination. The North Teams of Southeast Michigan totaled 16, and the South Teams totaled 16. If I recall, 8 Mile Rd. was the Mason Dixon Line.

Winning Teams from each Division had a shoot-off. During the mid 1970's it was Allen Park Gun Club or the Taylor Pistol Club in the South and Roseville or Detroit Sportsman Club representing the North. No records exist prior 1962.

Who is Paul Broughton? Does anyone remember?

Our current records show 57 years beginning in 1962. The Taylor Pistol Club holds 20 out of 25 of those listed years. That is domination!

Winning Teams:

.22 Caliber High Individual Score with a minimum of 75% fired Matches during the year. This award was dedicated by the Old Dixie Gun Club, first established in 1969. No records predate 1969. The SEMPA League was founded in 1957. This trophy has a missing plate with no records from 1978-1987. This Trophy has many distinguished names from the Metro Detroit area that were great shooters.

In 1972 George Schaeffer fired a score of 596-25x to beat all records. In 1992 Clarence Spurlock fired a 598-24x to break George Schaffer's record. In 1993 Clarence Spurlock broke his own record firing a 599-33x which still holds today.

Winners:

This perpetual Trophy is named after Eleanor E. Bradley, member of the Marksman Gun Club. Her husband, Raymond Bradley, is honored with the SEMPA perpetual Trophy for Highest Score fired in the Center Fire League. Raymond Bradley encouraged his wife to begin marksmanship competition so they could be together in a sporting event. Eleanor is believed to be one of the first females to participate in this commonly all-male sport, back in the 1960's. She fired in the Rimfire League only and was a very good marksman. Raymond Bradley was believed to be a past President of the League.

Back in the day, when the League was developing there were 32 Clubs participating in a North and South League (16 Teams each) and competitions were twice a week. All results were done by hand calculations and results, with Handicaps were sent by mail to each contact person. Looking back on this effort, it would be a very arduous job to undertake.

The following are records that the League can verify. Prior to this list is unknown.

This trophy is awarded to the highest score fired by a female in the .22 Rimfire League.

Winners:

This unnamed trophy was dedicated by the SEMPA Board during the 2005-2006 season to recognize upcoming shooters. Check the percentage increases on these award winners of these developing shooters. Qualifications for this trophy is that the shooter must fire in at least 75% or more matches during a two year season with a 10% improvement in the second year.

Winners:

Mary A. Peters was a member of the Detroit Sportsman Congress and another early female shooter, competing in a usually all-male sport. She was a past Secretary to SEMPA and her husband, Bill Peters was a past President of the SEMPA League. Bill retired and moved to Texas many years ago. He usually made the trek to the National Pistol Matches every year and reacquaint himself with old friends. Although I have not heard from Bill in several years, he remembers his old friends and always liked or gave a good joke. Mary A. Peters passed on when Bill was a competitor and due to loyalty and hard work in the League, she was named for this Trophy.

To qualify for this award, the female shooter must have fired in 75% or more matches during a 2 year period with at least a 10% increase in score during the second year. This trophy, first dedicated in 1970, has not been awarded every year due to a lack of female shooters.

Winners:

This is an undedicated trophy. This award established in 1981 to recognize the competitor 60 years of age or older for his or her highest average over a minimum of 75% of matches during the season in the .22 Rimfire League. At this time no records predate 1981. It is unknown how this award was originated.

Winners:

This is an undedicated trophy. This award established in the 2020-21 season to recognize the competitor 70 years of age or older for his or her highest average over a minimum of 75% of matches during the season in the .22 Rimfire League.

Winners:

Awarded to the SEMPA .22 Caliber Most Improved Handicap Team. Who is John Thorton? Anyone remember? This trophy was dedicated by the Thunderbird Gun Club and rededicated by the Ferndale Rifle and Pistol Club. This award was first established in 1969, 12 years after the Southeastern Michigan Pistol League organized.

Winning Teams: