Heaton Hired as Shotgun Sports Coach

Steve Heaton

Oskaloosa–William Penn Athletics Director Nik Rule is proud to announce the hiring of Steve Heaton as Head Shotgun Sports Coach.

An avid hunter and shooter since childhood, Heaton was instrumental in the forming of the Oskaloosa High School shooting team in 2007. During his tenure, which lasted from 2007-2015, he coached American Skeet, American Trap, and Sporting Clays, helping the program to several state titles and numerous national honors.

“Steve not only has a lot of knowledge in the sport, but he has a deep understanding of how it fits into the world of intercollegiate athletics,” Rule said. “He has a contagious passion for the sport and for finding opportunities for student-athletes to compete. His energy and expertise are going to be vital as we develop the sport on campus. We are excited to have him on our University team.”

Since 2009, Heaton has also coached a plethora of local youth and young adults in International Skeet, and over the past few years, he has shared his knowledge with other area high school teams.

Most recently, Heaton has gained experience at the collegiate level, serving as a volunteer coach in Skeet at Midland University in Nebraska.

“I am very excited to join the William Penn family and to start the Shotgun Sports program,” Heaton said. “I truly believe, with the academic opportunities that William Penn offers as well as the Shotgun Sports fundamentals, we will have very strong student-athletes moving forward. I cannot thank William Penn enough for this opportunity.”

Heaton is a certified coach through Iowa DNR Shotgun Sports, the National Sporting Clays Association, and USA Shooting. He is working towards his NSCA Level 2 instructor certification as well.