Archery has been taught at Skyline College for the past 25 years and remains a popular Physical education credit.

Archery is a .5 to 2-unit class here at Skyline College. It is UC and CSU transferable, and is also fulfills the fitness requirement towards an Associate’s degree. As far as grading goes, the course can be taken as a Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass, which allows those who are concerned, the choice to not let it affect their collective GPA, and learn a skill without sacrificing the efforts in put into academic courses.

Jan Fosberg has taught Archery at Skyline College for the past 25 plus years. Fosberg holds a Master’s degree in Kinesiology and coaches three sports at Skyline College. Skyline is the only campus in the San Mateo Community College District that offers archery to its students as physical education credit.

Archery, an Olympic sport, is a symbol of strength and skill. Professional archers, undergo intense training to which comparable of other sports. The sport requires focus, strength, coordination, determination and controlled precision.

Mauricio Flores, a Business Major, chose the archery for it peaked his interest and he wanted to learn a new skill, which he eventually hopes becomes a hobby.

“I take a physical education class every semester,” Flores said. “They help maintain a balance within my academic courses.”

Crystal Patten a Kinesiology major at skyline college gave an insight on her experience with the archery class.

“Honestly? I just wanted to be Robin Hood,” Patten said.

Will Tagade, an accounting major at skyline college explained his purpose of taking the archery class.

“Archery takes one back to our primal selves,” Tagade says. “I feel, if it ever came down to it, we would be able to survive” Tagade is a returning archery student.

Doriana Kaestner took archery for a greater experience.

“I chose archery because I wanted to break gender norms connected to it,” Kaestner said.

The appeal to archery is the confidence and mindset students can obtain.

“Many students say it helps them relax in other classes” Fosberg said. “It makes students believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.”

Archery is a mental space, in which one can apply the idea that practice makes perfect. When student succeed in achieving their goals on the field, academia driven goals seem more attainable.

“Archery is a connection between mind and body, though we are not out there sweating, we are out there using our breath, using our muscles, to fire the arrow,” Fosberg said. “There is focus that gives physical benefit, even though it is not a very physical class.”

The intention behind physical education is to provide individuals with a lifelong wellness practice. Archery has the potential to become a lasting commitment that can be continued throughout our lives.