Mill Creek Named NRA Range of the Year
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Mill Creek Rifle Club Earns NRA’s Highest Honor for Excellence in Operations and Community Impact
The National Rifle Association has named Mill Creek Rifle Club as the recipient of its prestigious Donn C. DiBiasio Outstanding Club Award, recognizing the organization’s exceptional performance in operations, education, youth development, and public service.
The annual NRA awards program highlights clubs and organizations that demonstrate leadership and measurable impact across a wide range of criteria, including membership engagement, legislative participation, youth programming, and community outreach. The Outstanding Club Award, in particular, honors a club that excels in all facets of operation while making a meaningful difference in its region. The award is named for Donn C. DiBiasio, a longtime NRA Board member, gun rights advocate, and state association leader who dedicated decades to strengthening shooting sports programs, advancing legislative efforts, and promoting youth involvement in firearms education.
Mill Creek was recognized as one of the Kansas City area’s most comprehensive shooting facilities. The De Soto-based nonprofit maintains 18 ranges supporting pistol, rifle, shotgun, and law enforcement training, while continuing to uphold its founding mission of safety education, conservation advocacy, and responsible firearm use.
Club President Mike Borkon, MD, emphasized that the NRA award visibly recognizes the shared goals of our local group and the national organization, goals that reach far beyond recreation. “At Mill Creek, everything we do—from safety education and youth development to civic and community engagement—is rooted in preserving the responsible exercise of Second Amendment freedoms,” Mr. Borkon said. "The consistent 'Gold' status we earn with the NRA by requiring that all 2,000-plus of our members maintain current NRA membership helps ensure that important bond between a national umbrella organization like NRA and the grassroots clubs that act as the face of that group with their fellow Americans at the local level."
Beyond the world-class quality of its facilities, Mill Creek has also built a reputation for robust programming and high member participation, with more than 30 percent of members actively involved in competitions, training, or club events. Membership Director Curt Cotton said the honor reflects the strength of the club’s members as much as its programs. “The award-winning quality of Mill Creek really begins with the quality of our membership,” Mr. Cotton said. “Our members are leaders in their local communities and throughout the national shooting sports community. A great club starts with great members, and their commitment to safety, education, and service is really what made this prestigious recognition possible.”
A cornerstone of the club’s success is its commitment to youth development. As the home range for the KC Steel Raiders, part of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program, as well as several 4-H Shooting Sports groups, Mill Creek supports dozens of young athletes aged 7 to 18. The club regularly hosts state and regional competitions and has helped the youth teams achieve national recognition through multiple awards in rifle and pistol events.
Mill Creek also maintains strong ties to the Kansas State Rifle Association, actively participating in legislative information sharing and hosting educational forums to educate members on Second Amendment issues. A dedicated legislative director keeps members informed on policy developments at the local, state, and federal levels.
Education and public safety remain central to the club’s mission. Mill Creek offers a wide array of NRA-certified courses, including firearm safety, hunter education, and specialized training for women shooters. Every new member is required to complete a safety orientation that includes CPR and trauma response training.
“By teaching safe, ethical firearm use and fostering an informed membership," said President Borkon, "we are helping ensure our cherished freedoms are protected for future generations.”
The club’s public service footprint extends well beyond its membership. Eighteen law enforcement agencies across the Kansas City metro area utilize Mill Creek’s dedicated training ranges. The facility also hosts an annual Special Olympics fundraiser organized by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, drawing more than 500 participants each year and supporting both athletes and fallen officer initiatives.
Law Enforcement Liaison Jennifer Gibson highlighted the club’s role in supporting those who serve. “Providing a safe, well-equipped place for local law enforcement agencies to train is one of the most important ways we serve our community,” Ms. Gibson said. “When officers have access to consistent, high-quality training facilities, it directly benefits public safety across the entire region.” Ms. Gibson, who is also an active instructor and leader with the KC Steel Raiders, added that the club’s dual commitment to law enforcement and youth development reflects its broader mission. “Whether we’re working with experienced officers or young shooters just getting started, the focus is always on safety, responsibility, and building skills that last a lifetime.”
In recent years, the club has expanded its impact through infrastructure and philanthropy. A newly constructed 100-yard “Founder’s Range,” dedicated to the Hodgdon family, represents a major investment in the club’s future. Additionally, the establishment of a charitable foundation supports youth shooting sports through grants, equipment donations, and travel funding.
Mill Creek’s regular electronic newsletter, The Crow’s Roost, along with its active digital communications and public-facing website, further demonstrate the organizational strength required by the NRA award criteria.
By combining a deep respect for tradition with forward-looking programs in education, safety, and community service, Mill Creek Rifle Club exemplifies the standards recognized by the NRA’s highest club honor—cementing its role as a leader not only in the Kansas City region but across the national shooting sports community.
