New York State Wrestling Coaches Association's Newsletter The New York State Wrestling Coaches Association's has moved to the next level in communicating with our members and friends. For the past six years the NYSWCA communicated partly on the internet and partly through the US Postal Service. From now on, all our communications - newsletters, updates, notices and surveys - will be composed and delivered with our online email marketing service provider. This change will give us the ability to deliver more information more often and at less cost.
There are sure to be glitches along the way as we learn the rules of design and layout and convert our lists to the new system but we hope they will be few and far in between.
We also expect that delivery will improve as some of our email generated from home computers in the past has been erroneously filtered out as spam.
As always, we welcome your questions and comments.
Dick Farfaglia, Exec. Dir. Rich Romeo, Pres. John Leone, VP
____________________________________________________________________
NWCA Names Shenendehowa's Austin Meys New York State and Northeast Regional Wrestler of the Year
The National Wrestling Coaches Association has named Shenendehowa High School senior Austin Meys the 2009 Wrestler of the Year for New York State and the Northeast Region.
A three-time New York State Champion, Meys was undefeated in his junior and senior years and was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the state tournament both years. In the 2009 state tournament he pinned everyone he faced in the first period.
Bound for Lehigh University, Meys set a new record for the most wins in Section II with an overall career varsity record of 263-8. During his undefeated senior season, he pinned 42 of the 45 wrestlers he faced. Meys is also a National Cadet Freestyle Champion and was ranked 7th in the country at 189 lbs. by Amateur Wrestling News.
"Austin is one of the most talented wrestlers to ever step on a mat in New York State. His accomplishments as a wrestler and a student put him in a class of elite student-athletes the wrestling community is very proud of. He is a credit to our sport", said Rich Romeo, NWCA state representative and President of the New York State Wrestling Coaches Association.
The Northeast Region for the NWCA includes New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association has named Amsterdam High School's veteran wrestling coach Ken Benton, the 2009 New York State Head Coach of the Year.
"Ken Benton is an outstanding coach. His record ranks among the very best in Section II and New York State," said Rich Romeo, NWCA NYS Representative and President of the NYS Wrestling Coaches Association. "His contributions to the sport and dedication to his student-athletes have enhanced our sport and improved the lives of the wrestlers he has coached over his almost thirty year career".
"The coaches and wrestlers receiving the NWCA State Scholastic Awards have shown the type of work ethic and commitment needed to achieve success on and off the mat. The NWCA applauds the efforts and the achievements of the honorees," said NWCA National Executive Director Mike Moyer.
Frank Popolizio Assistant Coach of the Year
The National Wrestling Coaches Association has named Coach Frank Popolizio the 2009 New York State Assistant Coach of the Year.
An assistant coach at Shenendehowa High School and founder of the highly successful Journeymen Wrestling Club, Popolizio has helped coach multiple High School All-Americans, NY State champions, NY State place finishers and four National Champions.
"Frank Popolizio is an outstanding coach and terrific promoter of scholastic and collegiate wrestling. His record of service to wrestling reaches beyond the borders of Section II and New York State," said Rich Romeo, NWCA NYS Representative and President of the NYS Wrestling Coaches Association. "His contributions to the sport and dedication to his student-athletes has provided new opportunities for wrestlers and advanced the sport in ways many thought not possible".
Popolizio is the creator of two prestigious and nationally recognized collegiate wrestling events hosted in NY State: Journeymen's Sprawl & Brawl and The Journeymen / BRUTE Northeast Collegiate Duals. These two highly successful events have attracted storied collegiate wrestling programs like Iowa, Minnesota, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Penn State to compete at venues in New York State offering aspiring high school athletes and fans the opportunity to see national championship caliber wrestling. In addition, Frank has created partnerships with National Championship wrestling programs from University of Iowa and Oklahoma State University to bring their summer camp operations to New York State.
Russia vs. USA Juniors in New York
Jeff Blatnick Olympic Champion – 1984
Doug Blubaugh Olympic Champion – 1960
Henry Cejudo Olympic Champion – 2008
Steve Fraser Olympic Champion – 1984
Ken Monday Olympic Champion – 1988
Brandon Slay Olympic Champion – 2000
John Smith Olympic Champion – 1988 & 1992
Bill Farrell Olympic Freestyle Coach – 1972
Lou Giani Olympic Team – 1960; Pan American Games – 1959 (Gold)
J. Robinson Olympic Team – 1972; NCAA Team Champions (University of Minnesota)
World Champions
Zeke Jones World Champion & Silver Medalist Olympic Games – 1996; Olympic Coach – 2004
Hamid Kermanshah World Champion
NCAA Champions
Andy Fitch Yale University
Nick Gallo Hofstra University
Mitch Hull Wisconsin University
Rob Koll North Carolina University
Brett Matter University of Pennsylvania
Tommy Rowlands Ohio State University
Matt Valenti University of Pennsylvania
About Beat the Streets Gala Fundraiser
Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:30pm
Guastavino’s
409 E 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tickets: $150
Tickets required for all guests
Tickets are available at www.beat-the-streets.org or by contacting Brian Giffin at (646) 922-0811 and <mailto:gala@beat-the-streets.org>gala@beat-the-streets.org.
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:05 PM
To: 'lanny@wrestlingusa.com'
Subject: 4/30: Beat the Streets Fundraising Gala w/ Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay, & John Smith
Hi Lanny,
Hope you’re well. Beat the Streets is having its annual gala fundraiser next Thursday, April 30 where NYC wrestling coaches will be honored and named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala. Also in attendance will be Olympic medal and World Championship winners Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith.
Attached below is a press release for the event. I would greatly appreciate it if you could include it on your website.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Stephanie M. Ramirez
GroupGordon
12 East 44th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10017
T 212 784 5704
F 212 780 0225
E <mailto:Stephanie@GroupGordon.com>Stephanie@GroupGordon.com
Olympic Medal and World Championship Winners Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith Gather to Support Beat the Streets
April 30th “Golden Night at Guastavino’s” Gala Fundraiser to Support Organization that Provides 3,500 New York City Students with Wrestling Opportunities
NEW YORK – April 22, 2009 – On April 30, 2009 Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will host its annual gala fundraiser "Golden Night at Guastavino's" in New York City to help continue the organization’s work in providing approximately 3,500 boys and girls wrestling opportunities and safe havens for them to practice. In addition, New York City wrestling coaches will be named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala.
Gathering to show their support for Beat the Streets are wrestling legends Bruce Baumgartner, four-time Olympic wrestling medalist, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member and Director of Athletics at Edinboro University; Henry Cejudo, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist; Brandon Slay, 2000 Olympic Gold medalist; and John Smith, Olympic and World Championship Medal Winner.
“Beat the Streets is proud to bring together the wrestling community, not just in New York City but the world, to help encourage and support New York City girls and boys’ efforts to participate in the sport of wrestling,” said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director of Beat the Streets. “Because of Beat the Streets, thousands of children are instilled with important values such as perseverance, discipline and self reliance, which they will carry with them throughout their lives. We would like to thank Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith for showing their support for Beat the Streets’ work.”
"The success of Beat the Streets Wrestling Program in New York City is a true testament to the organization, which has dedicated itself to not only teaching children about the sport of wrestling, but also shaping young minds and preparing them for whatever challenges may come their way, whether it be on the mat or in the class room,” said Bruce Baumgartner.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for boys and girls from New York City schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments. Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs; all-expenses paid trips to the most prestigious training camps in the country; and safe havens for students from the poorest urban neighborhoods seeking to improve their fitness and stay on the right path.
Approximately 3,500 boys and girls from New York City schools currently participate in the organization’s afterschool programs. Beat the Streets’ work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had 23 teams only in high schools and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools with 3,500 enrollees.
About Beat the Streets Gala Fundraiser
Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:30pm
Guastavino’s
409 E 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tickets: $150
Tickets required for all guests
Tickets are available at www.beat-the-streets.org or by contacting Brian Giffin at (646) 922-0811 and <mailto:gala@beat-the-streets.org>gala@beat-the-streets.org.
Jeff Blatnick Olympic Champion – 1984
Doug Blubaugh Olympic Champion – 1960
Henry Cejudo Olympic Champion – 2008
Steve Fraser Olympic Champion – 1984
Ken Monday Olympic Champion – 1988
Brandon Slay Olympic Champion – 2000
John Smith Olympic Champion – 1988 & 1992
Bill Farrell Olympic Freestyle Coach – 1972
Lou Giani Olympic Team – 1960; Pan American Games – 1959 (Gold)
J. Robinson Olympic Team – 1972; NCAA Team Champions (University of Minnesota)
World Champions
Zeke Jones World Champion & Silver Medalist Olympic Games – 1996; Olympic Coach – 2004
Hamid Kermanshah World Champion
NCAA Champions
Andy Fitch Yale University
Nick Gallo Hofstra University
Mitch Hull Wisconsin University
Rob Koll North Carolina University
Brett Matter University of Pennsylvania
Tommy Rowlands Ohio State University
Matt Valenti University of Pennsylvania
About Beat the Streets Gala Fundraiser
Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:30pm
Guastavino’s
409 E 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tickets: $150
Tickets required for all guests
Tickets are available at www.beat-the-streets.org or by contacting Brian Giffin at (646) 922-0811 and <mailto:gala@beat-the-streets.org>gala@beat-the-streets.org.
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:05 PM
To: 'lanny@wrestlingusa.com'
Subject: 4/30: Beat the Streets Fundraising Gala w/ Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay, & John Smith
Hi Lanny,
Hope you’re well. Beat the Streets is having its annual gala fundraiser next Thursday, April 30 where NYC wrestling coaches will be honored and named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala. Also in attendance will be Olympic medal and World Championship winners Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith.
Attached below is a press release for the event. I would greatly appreciate it if you could include it on your website.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Stephanie M. Ramirez
GroupGordon
12 East 44th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10017
T 212 784 5704
F 212 780 0225
E <mailto:Stephanie@GroupGordon.com>Stephanie@GroupGordon.com
Olympic Medal and World Championship Winners Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith Gather to Support Beat the Streets
April 30th “Golden Night at Guastavino’s” Gala Fundraiser to Support Organization that Provides 3,500 New York City Students with Wrestling Opportunities
NEW YORK – April 22, 2009 – On April 30, 2009 Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will host its annual gala fundraiser "Golden Night at Guastavino's" in New York City to help continue the organization’s work in providing approximately 3,500 boys and girls wrestling opportunities and safe havens for them to practice. In addition, New York City wrestling coaches will be named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala.
Gathering to show their support for Beat the Streets are wrestling legends Bruce Baumgartner, four-time Olympic wrestling medalist, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member and Director of Athletics at Edinboro University; Henry Cejudo, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist; Brandon Slay, 2000 Olympic Gold medalist; and John Smith, Olympic and World Championship Medal Winner.
“Beat the Streets is proud to bring together the wrestling community, not just in New York City but the world, to help encourage and support New York City girls and boys’ efforts to participate in the sport of wrestling,” said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director of Beat the Streets. “Because of Beat the Streets, thousands of children are instilled with important values such as perseverance, discipline and self reliance, which they will carry with them throughout their lives. We would like to thank Bruce Baumgartner, Henry Cejudo, Brandon Slay and John Smith for showing their support for Beat the Streets’ work.”
"The success of Beat the Streets Wrestling Program in New York City is a true testament to the organization, which has dedicated itself to not only teaching children about the sport of wrestling, but also shaping young minds and preparing them for whatever challenges may come their way, whether it be on the mat or in the class room,” said Bruce Baumgartner.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for boys and girls from New York City schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments. Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs; all-expenses paid trips to the most prestigious training camps in the country; and safe havens for students from the poorest urban neighborhoods seeking to improve their fitness and stay on the right path.
Approximately 3,500 boys and girls from New York City schools currently participate in the organization’s afterschool programs. Beat the Streets’ work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had 23 teams only in high schools and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools with 3,500 enrollees.
About Beat the Streets Gala Fundraiser
Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:30pm
Guastavino’s
409 E 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
Tickets: $150
Tickets required for all guests
Tickets are available at www.beat-the-streets.org or by contacting Brian Giffin at (646) 922-0811 and <mailto:gala@beat-the-streets.org>gala@beat-the-streets.org.
Olympic Gold Medalists, World Champions and Leaders in the Wrestling Community Nationwide Gather to Support Beat the Streets Wrestling Program
April 30th “Golden Night at Guastavino’s” Gala Fundraiser to Support Organization that Provides 3,500 New York City Students with Wrestling Opportunities
NEW YORK – April 22, 2009 – On April 30, 2009 Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will host its annual gala fundraiser "Golden Night at Guastavino's" in New York City to help continue the organization’s work in providing approximately 3,500 boys and girls wrestling opportunities and safe havens for them to practice. Olympic gold medalists, World Champions, NCAA Champions and key leaders from the wrestling community nationwide are scheduled to appear at the gala to show their support. In addition, New York City wrestling coaches will be named High School Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Middle School Coach of the Year at the Gala.
Scheduled to appear at the gala are Bruce Baumgartner, four-time Olympic wrestling medalist, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member; Olympic gold medalists Jeff Blatnick, Doug Blubaugh, Henry Cejudo, Steve Fraser, Ken Monday, Brandon Slay, and John Smith; Olympians Bobby Douglas, Bill Farrell, Lou Giani, and J. Robinson; and World Champions Zeke Jones and Hamid Kerman Shah (a full list of attendees scheduled to attend can be found below). The evening will also feature a special performance by New York Times acclaimed jazz pianist, Eric Lewis, aka ELEW.
“Beat the Streets is proud to bring together the wrestling community, not just in New York City but the world, to help encourage and support New York City girls and boys’ efforts to participate in the sport of wrestling,” said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director of Beat the Streets. “Because of Beat the Streets, thousands of children are instilled with important values such as perseverance, discipline and self reliance, which they will carry with them throughout their lives. We would like to thank all of our prestigious guests for showing their support for Beat the Streets’ work.”
"The success of Beat the Streets Wrestling Program in New York City is a true testament to the organization, which has dedicated itself to not only teaching children about the sport of wrestling, but also shaping young minds and preparing them for whatever challenges may come their way, whether it be on the mat or in the class room,” said Bruce Baumgartner.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for boys and girls from New York City schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments. Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs; all-expenses paid trips to the most prestigious training camps in the country; and safe havens for students from the poorest urban neighborhoods seeking to improve their fitness and stay on the right path.
Approximately 3,500 boys and girls from New York City schools currently participate in the organization’s afterschool programs. Beat the Streets’ work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had 23 teams only in high schools and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools with 3,500 enrollees.
Beat the Streets Gala Fundraiser Attendees
(Scheduled to Appear)
Beat the Streets to Launch New Youth Sports Program Introducing Boys and Girls Ages 5-10 Years to Olympic Style Wrestling in Fun and Interactive Setting
Class Based on Successful Program Beat the Streets Is Teaching to More Than 3,500 Students in Public Schools across New York City
NEW YORK – April 2, 2009 – On April 18, 2009 the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will launch a new youth sports program that introduces boys and girls ages 5 to 10 years to Olympic style wrestling. The 11-week program takes place at the organization’s Manhattan headquarters and costs $25, with 100% of the proceeds going to further Beat the Streets’ efforts to provide free wrestling training, equipment and field trips to middle and high school students during the school year. More than 3,500 girls and boys currently participate in the school year programs.
The youth program will be a fun, interactive class taught by Beat the Streets’ leading instructors and assistants who will teach Olympic style wrestling techniques. Participants in the youth program take part in group training sessions and then are separated according to body weight to engage in drills with their peers. The 11-week program concludes with a mock tournament to introduce the children to competition.
“Beat the Streets is committed to expanding the sport of wrestling to children of all ages across New York City, and the youth program is a great way for parents and caregivers to introduce kids to sports since wrestling is open to boys and girls of all shapes and sizes,” said Brian Giffin, President and Executive Director, Beat the Streets. “Through wrestling students can learn the value of hard work, determination and persistence, life skills they can take with them both on and off the mat.”
The youth program will take place at Beat the Streets’ headquarters located at St. Anthony's Memorial Gym in Lower Manhattan. The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is a not-for-profit organization that primarily focuses on creating opportunities for boys and girls from New York City middle and high schools to participate in after-school wrestling programs in safe and nurturing environments.
For the middle and high school participants Beat the Streets provides free coaching, gear and equipment; free access to afterschool training centers in all five boroughs during playing season; all-expenses paid trips to the most prestigious training camps in the country; and safe havens for students from the poorest urban neighborhoods seeking to improve their fitness and stay on the right path.
Beat the Streets’ work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had only 23 high school teams and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools.
New York's Best High School Wrestling Teams2. Shenendehowa HS, Albany NY
3. John Glenn HS, Long Island NY
New York's Best High School Wrestlers
2.Nick Mauriello(Haup-11)
3.Shane Connolly(WValley-9)
103-1.Arik Robinson(Peru-7)
2.Damon McQueen(Hunt-11)
3.Brian Realbuto(Somers-1)
112-1.Sean Kempf(MacArthur-8)
2.Ken Collado(Hauppauge-11)
3.Steven Rodrigues(FoxLane-1)
119-1.Steven Keith(SWRiver-11)
2.Justis Flamio(Mahopac-1)
3.Quinton Murphy(Holley-5)
125-1.Jamie Franco(MWood-9)
2.Nick Arujau(Syosset-8)
3.Sean Walton(Palm-M-5)
130-1.Cody Ruggirello(VCentral-9)
2.Joe Grippi(FoxLane-1)
3.Derak Heyman(Tioga-4)
135-1.Ian Paddock(Warsaw-5)
2.Alex Ekstrom(Palm-M-5)
3.Stephen Dutton(RockyPt-11)
140-1.Kyle Dake(Lansing-4)
2.Mike Nevinger(Letch-5)
3.Ken Kampnich(IHC-3)
145-1.Zach Clemente(LaSalle-2)
2.Paul Morabito(Spen-5)
3.Josh Micek(MapleGrove-6)
152-1.John Greisheimer(Want-8)
2.Antonio Doldo(IHC-3)
3.Kenny Betts(Fredonia-6)
160-1.Ryan LeBlanc(MEaton-3)
2.David Kohlbach(Wind-4)
3.Clay Reeb(Cheektowaga-6)
171-1.Cody Hutcheson(Bath-H-5)
2.Tyler Beckwith(Greene-4)
3.Angelo Malvestuto(NW-6)
189-1.Austin Meys(Shen-2)
2.Christian Boley(Brock-5)
3.Zach Buonaiuto(MPl-11)
215-1.Paul Glover(Spencerport-5)
2.Steven Butler(PJervis-9)
3.Chris Nocchi(Waverly-4)
285-1.Joe Zitone(PortJervis-9)
2.Ken Altarac(LaSalle-2)
3.Mike Raplee(Dundee-5)
Sport Flourishing in America Largest CityBrooklyn Tech wrestler Chris Amro wants to win the PSAL championship and finish among the top wrestlers in the state at his weight class.
Pretty lofty goals for a second-year wrestler, but Amro has every reason to be optimistic.
The Engineers captain is 7-0 against PSAL competition this winter. He's recorded six pins and established himself as one of the top 145-pound wrestlers in Brooklyn through the first five weeks of the regular season.
Amro says he wouldn't even be wrestling if he hadn't hooked up with a Big Apple wrestling organization, Beat the Streets, that's helped to nearly double the number of wrestling programs in the PSAL over the past two seasons.
Amro's coach, Jean Brutus, says he wouldn't have a program without Beat the Streets.
"Beat the Streets is my program," Brutus said. "They provided us with everything we've needed."
The second-year program so far has added 31 high school wrestling programs, boosting the number of programs citywide to 59 (including 19 developmental programs).
Beat the Streets, which is funded through private donations, provides some schools with mats, which cost about $7,000. The program also sent 45 wrestlers to the prestigious J. Robinson wrestling camp in Oregon.
Beat the Streets middle school coordinator Mike Cigala estimated that the program sent 400 wrestlers to instructional camps last summer.
"They've been a tremendous asset," PSAL wrestling commissioner Larry Cantor said of the program.
George Hero, the PSAL's longest-tenured coach, says Beat the Streets has been a boon to Big Apple high schools during the past two seasons.
It enhances the game by providing clinics to both players and coaches.
"That's where Beat the Streets is making a difference," said Hero, who started the wrestling program at Midwood in 1985. "Beat the Streets is doing more for New York City wrestling than I've ever seen."
SPRING FLING?: The PSAL, in conjunction with the Beat the Streets wrestling program, is planning on adding spring and fall wrestling seasons, Brooklyn Sports has learned.
Wrestlers would compete in freestyle wrestling in the spring and Greco-roman wrestling in the fall. The winter season consists of "folkstyle" wrestling.
Cantor, the PSAL commissioner, says that the league would be the first in the country to have a freestyle season.
"I've been spoken to by national freestyle coaches who've said this will be a tremendous thing," Cantor said. "Other public school sections will potentially follow our lead."
Cantor and Cigala, the Beat the Streets middle school coordinator, said funding for the program is still being finalized, but the commissioner has already made a schedule for the spring season. Practice for the freestyle season would begin in March and meets would start in the first week of April. Midwood is one of six teams invited to participate.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program Opens New Headquarters and Training Center in ManhattanNew York City Training Center is One of Five New Facilities Beat the Streets Has Opened to Help Expand Wrestling Opportunities for Middle and High School-Aged Girls and Boys
NEW YORK - November 3, 2008 - On November, 3, 2008 the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program will celebrate the opening of its new headquarters and training center located in lower Manhattan called the Beat the Streets Wrestling Center at St. Anthony's Memorial Gym. The training center is one of five new facilities Beat the Streets has opened to help expand opportunities for middle and high school children to participate in school wrestling programs. The training centers are free of charge to use for any child participating in the Beat the Streets program.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling Center at St. Anthony's Memorial Gym will serve as the home base for the organization and its on-going initiatives to increase student participation in the sport of wrestling. The new headquarters will centralize the administration and management of Beat the Streets' 119 middle and high school wrestling programs. It will house executive and administrative offices to oversee the day-to-day operations of the program, as well as house the new, fully-equipped training center. In the fall of 2008, Beat the Streets has opened five training centers for students, one for every borough in New York City: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
"The Beat the Streets Wrestling Center at St. Anthony's Memorial Gym doubles as our new headquarters and training facility for students, which we think is a perfect arrangement. We want to be as available as possible to our students as they develop the discipline, determination and tenacity necessary for wrestling," said Brian Giffin, the newly appointed President and Executive Director of Beat the Streets. "As Beat the Streets works to establish our programs in New York City schools and continues to enhance current ones, this new facility will provide us with the home base we need to continue to bring wrestling opportunities to students in all five boroughs free of charge."
Beat the Streets aims to expand wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from beginner to the Olympic level. Approximately 3,500 boys and girls from New York City schools currently participate in the organization's after-school programs. In partnership with the New York City Department of Education, Beat the Streets works closely with coaches, school administrators, and professional athletes to provide opportunities for children to participate in a variety of wresting activities including clinics, tournaments and summer camps.
Beat the Streets' work has effectively helped the sport of wrestling grow in New York City. In 2005, New York City's Public School Athletic League had only 23 high school teams and fewer than 300 kids enrolled. Now New York City has wrestling teams in 58 high schools and 54 middle schools with 3,500 enrollees.
The Manhattan Training Center is designed to host an afterschool program where students can come to work on their technique, and they will participate in intense drilling and live wrestling. All of Beat the Streets' training centers will also serve as the base from which Beat the Streets will grow freestyle and Greco-Roman style wrestling, clinics, and intensive individual and group training. Beat the Streets will also conduct takedown tournaments, dual meets and middle school league play at the training centers.
Members of the Beat the Streets coaching staff will be on hand at all the centers to assist and supervise the students, as well as weekly guest clinicians. Among those who have previously led demonstrations are former National Collegiate and Athletic Association Champions and All-Americans such as Matt Valenti and Brett Matter from the University of Pennsylvania; Glenn Pritzlaff from Penn State; Greg Parker from Princeton; and Max Meltzer from Harvard.
On Wednesday November 12, the Manhattan Training Center will have its first special guest clinician, Tommy Rowlands. Mr. Rowlands is an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. In college, he was a four-time NCAA Finalist and two-time Champion, as well as a two-time US Senior Nationals Champion in Freestyle.
The new training center is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8:30pm and is located at:
St. Anthony's Memorial Gym, 141 Thompson St. New York, NY 10012
Please visit www.beat-the-streets.org for more information on the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program.
2008 USA Olympic Coach Coming to New York City LEE KEMP COACHING CLINIC