Jack Witt's Bio

Carl Haun, then president and co-founder of Ben Pearson Inc. since 1938, invited Jack to Pine Bluff for an interview which was remembered by Jack as follows:

“What do you know about archery?” Carl asked. I told him “Nothing.” Carl said, “How do you think I can hire you to talk about archery when you don’t know anything about it?” I asked him if he had anyone who knew archery. Carl said “Sure.” I said, “It looks to me that you can either teach me archery or teach them sales promotion.”

Jack was hired and immediately started shooting a bow and learning the archery business. By the fall of 1958, he had become Arkansas State champion of the “Barebow” (instinctive division) and acquired an acute knowledge of the industry.

Jack traveled the country to promote archery at various sporting good shows, youth and scout organizations, tournaments and often performed exhibitions and promotions with Ben Pearson

Jack headed the newly created “Golden Sovereign” division of Ben Pearson Archery and became director of special events like the Ben Pearson Open. This was no small task since The Ben Pearson Open was (for a decade) the Largest Indoor Participating Sporting Event in the World.

Jack was a premier instructor. He carefully observed and conferred with many of the top archers including Dad, Howard Hill, Ann Clark, Ann Marston, Jim Caspers, Bob Kadlec, Bob Rhode, James Mackey, Margaret Tillberry and many others. From them he acquired a broad base knowledge of archery skills and techniques that he conveyed to others via his archery columns and in person to interested groups or individuals.

If you were a top professional, had developed a bad habit and consulted Jack for a solution—there was no doubt your problems were soon mended. Jack was truly “The Archer’s Friend.”