NY- MHS Wrestling Room Named for Al BevilacquaIn connection with the naming of the wrestling room in honor of Coach Bevilacqua, the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to fostering the sport of wrestling in Massapequa, pledged to pay for the renovation of the high school's wrestling room.
Al Bevilacqua in action.
The Friends of Massapequa Wrestling will conduct a fundraising drive to provide the funding for the major overhaul of the high school wrestling room.
Bevilacqua served as an educator with the Massapequa Public Schools from 1961 to 1994. He began coaching at Massapequa as an assistant to Coach John Haas and later assumed the head coaching position in 1963. Bevilacqua continued as the head coach until 1977 when Gary Mims took over the program. As time permitted him over the years, he continued as a volunteer assistant. Bevilacqua's dedication, commitment and contribution to the Massapequa community and its young men and women spanned more than 50 years.
In addition to honoring Coach Al Bevilacqua, the renovated wrestling room walls will tell the history of wrestling in Massapequa. The names of state and county champions and place winners as well as the winners of other individual honors from both Massapequa High School and Berner High School, as well as team honors will be on the walls above the mats.
In order to achieve this goal, the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling is reaching out to all Massapequa and Berner alumni whose lives were touched by Coach Bevilacqua or the wrestling program. The initial estimate for the renovation is in excess of $50,000. To make a tax deductible contribution please make your check payable to the "Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Inc." and mail it to Post Office Box 61, Massapequa, New York 11758. All contributions will be greatly appreciated.
An artist rendition of the renovated wrestling room was on exhibit at the December 29 Christmas tournament and will also be on display at the January 6 alumni night. Visit the website at www.LeagueLineup.com/MassapequaWrestling.
NY- Beat the Streets Coaches Summit Mission of expanding the base of wrestling from Youth thru Olympics Model…….Connectivity……….
Coaches Summit Features World Silver Medalist, USA Freestyle Coach, Living Legend
What started off as a way to help coaches learn skills and tactics for leading better practices turned into a challenging workout and an insight into the mindset of three champions. Jake Herbert, Zeke Jones, and Bobby Douglas paid a visit to the 2011 BTS Coaches Summit being held at the NYAC on Saturday evening. A collegial dinner followed.
Along with host, organizer, and BTS Board Trustee, Noel Thompson, Herbert led the coaches in attendance through a series of warm-up exercises, skill-building drills, and advice on how to keep kids interested and motivated at all levels of the sport. For the younger kids, "It's gotta be fun," Herbert repeatedly said, reinforcing the idea that kids aren't there to be Olympic Champions - at least not yet. So keeping them engaged and involved is a matter of fun and entertainment. One way to do that is to make everything a competition or a game - that small change of perspective can transform horrible, awful sprints into a fun, exciting race. The framing is key. Meanwhile, the skills are being honed and the drive is building.
After the coaches were put through their paces, Bobby Douglas came on to take questions about motivating wrestlers, garnering administration support for the team, and the importance of wrestling for the inner city youth. "Without wrestling, I'd be in jail," Douglas said simply. His incredible background story is captured in his book, a limited number of copies of which are available in the BTS office for free to coaches and wrestlers.
Click to download in FLV format (2.73MB)Zeke Jones then spoke about putting together a successful program for years to come, the critical importance of sending kids to wrestling camp, and engaging those who can help the team, from parents to administrators to donors. Jones said the key to building a successful program, off the mat, is to engage and cultivate a family amongst alumni, parents, and donors, "Communications, operations, alumni relations, and development. Those are the four areas. That's the model for wrestling." Building those areas will give you the support for a program to flourish.
Once the coaches got showered up and changed into their jackets and collared shirts, an awesome dinner spread was set up on the 12th floor of the Club with a terrace overlooking Central Park. The food was great, the views were amazing, and the night was crisp. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.
Beat the Streets-New York City would like to thank Jake, Zeke, and Bobby for coming down and spending time with our coaches, and Noel for putting everything together and emceeing the event.
A New ConceptWe only know one way. Most of it was accomplished through personal contacts and the ability never to accept NO as a finality! If you ever met Set Agonian you understand why it some of it happened.
NYC has been able to secure national coverage for the 1986 USA vs Soviet Dual on CBS Sports Saturday, 2003 World Championships at MSG, Beat the Streets-NYC, USA Dual on the Intrepid, 2005 National Beach Championships and lastly the USA vs/ Russia Duals in Times Square as were able to attract national and international media.
As a group of people in NYC "we pounded away" at media to accomplish the many things we have done in securing national media attention. We also have been unable to secure consistent media attention to brand wrestling as a major sport.
One shots of coverage's do not create an audience and that is the goal we should be seeking. The "Fight Channel" is a strong possibility and wrestling needs continuing with "branding" our outlets as JimHarshaw and Scott Casber are doing with their respective mediums.
USA Wrestling professional media staff creates a lot of content through their website.
These stories received should will provide stories for the new portal. e.g. The Rowdy Gaines promotion can be leveraged with NFL Charities, NFL Players Association as MLB and other groups becoming sponsorship programs for non-profits.
We have been reaching out to these groups the past year with the Beat the Streets USA initiative through contacts within the organizations.
We need a few more major cities before they will seriously talk to us. We have 10 cities now and 3 more coming in the spring. Until we secure Los Angeles, we will not qualify for any national media attention. We are getting close with LA as they are more dysfunctional than NYC. We have a teleconference this afternoon without lobbyists to see if we can meet with some congressional officials in Washington DC before years end.
New York Times, Washington Post and the Los Angeles set the agenda. What they print on their front page dictates the news for that week.
A Concept: Associated Press Portal
Media needs content. It is all about content. We build a site to collect content utilizing our existing platforms that we have in the Network.
By reaching out to the wrestling people through our websites asking for "interesting and life stories" that are relevant to the people wrestling on all levels.
It is should not be competition type media/results as we do a good job with letting ourselves know. We lack getting even our top events into USA Today and other national outlets.
The stories can be forwarded by others and be encouraged to write them and forward to one of us in a word document. An example of the content is attached above by ESPN.
Today we have another conference call with Sports Illustrated.com regarding the MMA and the wrestling connection from "my perspective".
Wrestling is missing the quickest way to impact media converge by not leveraging how important wrestling is to the MMA. Fox Sports recently invested 100 million dollars to MMA. MMA needs content as well to fill up the hours of coverage required. Some of that content could be our stories!
Many of you have the skills and have been recognized with a Bob Dellinger National Award can take the lead on this end of the project.
The others can promote and drive people to the portal through the local newspapers and wrestling websites coverage. We should have a few key people work consistently with the same national media contacts that each of us possess.
The Network cleans it up and then links the National Wrestling Portal.
After we build up the portal we then forward to all the national outlets with written stories that the entire industry used by the national media. Journalists have become lazy…especially in minor sports. They will not do the research required to 'create" a good news story. They do if its "negative" because it drives the general public to "Google" and then usually goes "viral".
Wrestling gets its share as well….what do we do with it is the key!
PSAL/Beat the Streets Commissioner Position AvailablePlease post on your websites, magazines or blogs the follow position is available in New York City.
Larry Cantor, former PSAL Commissioner, has been elevated to the position of PSAL Athletic Guidance Office.
The PSAL/Beat the Streets are searching for a full time Commissioner of Wrestling to manage and oversee its 63 high schools as a Consultant with a mid size salary range. The budget has an allowance for overtime to cover events etc.
Any questions or follow up information please contact Bill Crum at the Beat the Streets headquarters in Manhattan.
All official inquiries will be handled through the PSAL Office.
Al Bevilacqua
Co-Founder
Board Member
Bill Crum
COO-Beat the Streets Wrestling Inc
145 Thompson St.
New York, NY 10012
212-777-5702
bcrum@beat-the-streets.org
Crum named Chief Operating Officer for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc.Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of personal responsibility, physical fitness, education, and teamwork. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through tutoring, after-school programs, mentoring, and coaching.
More information can be found at <http://riotsportsmarketing.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c8dc16e489ba4d7bef3d73879&id=039489a595&e=7b8aa670c4
The video can be seen here: http://riotsportsmarketing.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c8dc16e489ba4d7bef3d73879&id=e7f0a4a021&e=7b8aa670c4>http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/12/17/nyregion/1248069458199/beating-the-streets-through-wrestling.html?ref=nyregion.
The print article can be found on page 4 of the Metropolitan section.
Crum named Chief Operating Officer for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc.NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 7TH, 2011 - Mike Novogratz, Chairman of the Board of Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. (BTS), today announced changes in the organization's management structure.
Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. works directly with the Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help the city's student-athletes achieve their athletic and personal goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs of New York City, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of personal responsibility, physical fitness, education, and teamwork. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through tutoring, after-school programs, mentoring, and coaching. More information can be found at www.beat-the-streets.org.
Brooklyn Tech High School at the Sprig Gardner TournamentThe appearance of Brooklyn Tech High School's over the weekend match was significant for the Beat the Streets Wrestling initiative in an historical perspective.
With a very long history in the sport of wrestling in the United States, Mike Chapman, a leading historian for the sport of wrestling, has researched the roots of wrestling in several of his books and writings.
"According to my book, Gotch to Gable, the first Iowa state high school tournament was held in 1921 in Ames. A total of 20 teams participated in the meet and the winner was Cedar Rapids Washington High School -- which was coached by a teacher who was assisted by two PRO wrestlers -- the legendary Farmer Burns (who was born in a log cabin about 40 miles east of Cedar Rapids) and Jack Reynolds, who was the world welterweight champion at the time and was working on the railroad in Cedar Rapids.
Long Island wrestling under the leadership of Frank "Sprig" Gardner began in 1933 at East Hampton, Long Island and one year later he accepted the position of Director of Athletics and head wrestling coach at Mepham HS in Bellmore, Long Island.
The significance and the influence of Sprig's model for the growth and expansion of wrestling in New York State and the country still continues long after his death in 1975.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguish Member
On the granite stone is imprinted the following:
"His success story is without parallel. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall, without wrestling experience, he organized his first team at Mepham in 1937 in an abandoned elementary school converted to a high school. Except for three years in World War II as a lieutenant commander on an aircraft carrier, he remained at the helm until 1958.
In 1946, Baldwin High ended a Mepham streak of 100 consecutive victories, yet that loss was merely an interlude. Mepham would not fall again until 1955, when a one-point loss to Amityville ended a string of 130 triumphs.
Mepham overpowered the best teams and even all-star squads from five states. Sprig's wrestlers won 254 dual meets, lost five and drew one. They won 40 Long Island Team Championships, shared another title, and placed second three times.
Sprig and his Mepham wrestlers were featured in a five-page article in Life Magazine during the early 1950's. Two of his protégés, George Creason and Sid Nodland, won National AAU championships while still in high school. Eighteen won Eastern Intercollegiate titles.
Many have attained success in both athletics and business. Innovation was a key to Gardner's success. His drill system revolutionized the sport. He shared his concepts with books and articles.
In recognition of his fabulous coaching career, and a lifetime of leadership in the development of wrestling, Frank "Sprig" Gardner is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Penn State University in 1953 is the only eastern team to win an NCAA team Championship. They scored 29 points. Team points were only scored by the place winners during those early years and 19 of those points were scored by Mepham wrestlers.
Several times at the Eastern Intercollegiate Championships, Mepham wrestlers from four different colleges finished in the top 1-4 placements in one weight class.
Sprig's influence continues today with many, many high school and college coaches who were trained by former Mepham wrestlers, coaches and continues on today with the children of those coaches becoming coaches.
What a great man…he came to my high school in 1952 while the suburbs were booming with many returning servicemen fleeing New York City for the countryside of Long Island.
The Beat the Streets-New York City initiative followed Sprig's in its structure, philosophy and basic skills program created by him along with Charlie Spiedel and Ray Swartz in the Naval Training book.
Sprig would call upon every new high school that was being erected and brought over his team, held an assembly and went through the values of wrestling by teaching and drilling the basic skills with his created drill system.
After seeing Sid Nodland and Dickie Dose, two of his returning Long Island Champions, doing the skills and drills…. that was it for me.
I gave up basketball and joined the wrestling team. Today, Long Island has 110 high schools, 105 of them have wrestling teams.
The Beat the Streets- New York City initiative followed the model created by Sprig in its structure, philosophy and basic skills program along with Charlie Spiedel and Ray Swartz in the Naval Training Book.
The middle school plan was expanded in 2007 with the Partnership Agreement with the Department of Education by implementing 45 more high schools and 60 middle school teams.
Lastly, we are planning a project with Lighthouse Wrestling to shoot a video of the life of Frank "Sprig:" Gardner while some of us remain alive.
Pascal Perri, Hall of Fame NCAA Official, with all the Hall of Fame coaches he taught like Bob Bury, Dr. Vince Zuaro, Jerry Seckler, Don Jackson, John Schaefer, John Walters, Walter Stewart and tons of former wrestlers, officials and coaches today will advocate the man's influence on the past 3 generations.
It will be a lasting tribute to a really great man.
The "Sleeping Giant Has Awaken"The Beat the Streets-NYC program began in 2004 with a borrowed mat and 24 boys and girls at Baruch middle school in Manhattan with a goal of helping develop life skills to New York City kids through wrestling.
One of the data points was to develop young men and women by teaching and drilling the 7 basic skills of wrestling to be able to compete on a state and regional level.
Development in education, business or sports ventures always has data points or "markers" to evaluate and test the progress of any worthwhile initiative.
2010-2011 season is the Beat Streets first DATA POINT. Can we compete with the very best from Long Island and New York State?
The administration who works day to day with over 4000 kids in grades 5-12 thinks they are ready to
"jump in " and compete.
A video produced by Bill Miller, LighthouseWrestling.com is attached below where he interviews the Beat the Streets kids, staff and co-founder Mike Novogratz to New York State.
<http://lighthousewrestling.com/2010/11/08/a-look-inside-psal-and-bts-2010-11/>http://lighthousewrestling.com/2010/11/08/a-look-inside-psal-and-bts-2010-11/
Test # 1- On Sat. November 13th & Sunday November 14th and twenty-four PSAL wrestlers representing the Manhattan Training Center Club and 15 CHSAA wrestlers from the Lions Club of Monsignor Farrell HS on Staten Island participating in the inaugural Long Island Pre-Season Dual Meet Tournament.
The tournament will be hosted by Eastport South Manor Senior High School, Suffolk County, NY and will have 16 clubs from Long Island, New Jersey, PA and CT.
Each Club team will wrestle in pool competition with winners advancing to a final dual champion. All the clubs will wrestle the same number of matches providing two days of top flight competition and experience for these dedicated full time wrestlers.
If you are in the area please stop by and support the tournament.
The Beat the Streets Wrestling program was highlighted on another major wrestling website FLO Wrestling and the link is below.
<http://www.flowrestling.org/videos/coverage/view_video/237814-li-marty-to-beat-the-streets/363952-interview-steve-flanagan>http://www.flowrestling.org/videos/coverage/view_video/237814-li-marty-to-beat-the-streets/363952-interview-steve-flanagan
SCHEDULE
Pool A
1. VHW
2. Free Agent #1
3. Commack Claw - Technical Edge
4. Big Blue WC
Pool B
1. Bergen's Best
2. Razor - Black
3. Free Agent #2
4. Beat The Streets
Pool C
1. KT Kidz
2. Team Tugman
3. Free Agent #3
4. Open
Pool D
1. Wrecking Crew
2. Razor - Red
3. Wantagh
4. Lions WC
Saturday Schedule
10:00 am
1. Commack Claw TE vs Free Agent #1
2. Big Blue WC vs VHW
3. Free Agent #2 vs Beat the Streets
4. Razor - Black vs Bergens Best
5. Team Tugman vs KT Kidz
6. Open vs Free Agent #3
7. Wantagh vs Wrecking Crew
8. Razor - Red vs Lions WC
12:00
1. Commack Claw TE vs VHW
2. Big Blue WC vs Free Agent #1
3. Free Agent #2 vs Bergens Best
4. Razor - Black vs Beat the Streets
5. Team Tugman vs Free Agent #3
6. Open vs KT Kidz
7. Wantagh vs Razor - Red
8. Lions WC vs Wrecking Crew
2:00
1. Commack Claw TE vs Big Blue WC
2. VHW vs Free Agent #1
3. Free Agent #3 vs Razor - Black
4. Big Blue WC vs Beat the Streets
5. Team Tugman vs Open
6. Free Agent #3 vs KT Kidz
7. Wantagh vs Lions WC
8. Razor - Red vs Wrecking Crew
Sunday Schedule
Gold Bracket
9:00 am
1. 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
2. 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool C
3. 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool D
4. 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
Silver Pool
5. 3rd Place Pool A vs 3rd Place Pool B
6. 3rd Place Pool C vs 3rd Place Pool D
Bronze Pool
7. 4th Place Pool A vs 4th Place Pool B
8. 4th Place Pool C vs 4th Place Pool D
11:30 am
Gold Bracket
1. Winners A/B vs Winners C/D
2. Winners C/D vs Winners B/A
Silver Pool
1. 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool C
2. 3rd Pool B vs 4rd Pool D
Bronze Pool
1. 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool C
2. 4th Pool B vs 4th Pool D
2:00 pm
Gold Bracket
1. Championship Bout
2. 3/4
3. 5/6
4. 7/8
Silver Pool
1. 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool D
2. 3rd Pool B vs 3rd Pool C
Bronze Pool
1. 4th Pool A vs 4th Pool D
2. 4th Pool B vs 4th Pool C
Beat the Streets Summer Camps- Winding DownSince the last week in June and most of the summer, Beat the Streets has been sending wrestlers to summer camps in PA, NJ, and NY.
Last week, BTS was represented by wrestlers from Brooklyn Tech HS, Roosevelt Island MS, and James Madison HS at Ken Chertow's Gold Medal Wrestling Camp in State College, PA.
Ken Chertow, 1988 Olympian, operates the largest wrestling camp system in the United States and has been very instrumental in the Beat the Streets program since the very beginning by providing coaching clinics & demonstrations at the training center and in his promotional work as a television commentator on several major cable outlets.
BTS will be inaugurating its' own wrestling camp beginning Monday July 26th in Lake Placid at the Olympic Training Center. Fifty high school select wrestlers and 12 coaches will be participating in the developmental training camp at the Olympic Training Center, site of the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The following week, there is the final camp opportunity left for the summer. There are still spots available for wrestler from New York City who will be attending a PSAL, CHSAA, Independent H.S. in the fall of 2010 are eligible to participate in the BTS's Wrestling Camp at Sullivan County Community College Aug 9-13.
Larry Cantor will be the Team Leader and Camp coordinator for the Camp.
Register online at www.beat-the-streets.org or by bringing your applications to the Manhattan Training Center. You may fax the applications as well.
Fax- 212-457-1150
Beat the Streets Summer Camp Program Kicks OffThe 2010 Summer Wrestling Program has launched and completed its first round of boys and girls at the Strong Island Wrestling Camp at Hofstra University Team and Technique Camp for Middle & High School wrestlers.
Through the generosity of our Donors and Sponsors, who have contributed to our summer program for the last few years and the tremendous financial support given by 1200 Donors & Sponsors at the 2010 Gala & Benefit aboard the USS Intrepid, has allowed us to expand our summer camp opportunities to 700 boys and girls.
Since we began the summer camp initiative in 2006, with a little over 250 boys and girls, it has become the staple of our program. Our goal is to provide middle and high school boys and girls an opportunity to leave a "hot" city enjoying a week or so on a college campus throughout the northeastern United States upgrading their skills while interacting with boys and girls from throughout the country.
Hopefully, they are having a lot of fun while learning more life skills so they continue "living the dream".
The Middle School Wrestling Program
1200 Donors & Sponsors on the Intrepid…we sincerely thank you!
Brooklyn Tech HS, Petrides HS, Baruch MS & HS and many individuals from several middle schools had
50 wrestlers attending the camp under the leadership of Larry Cantor (PSAL Chairman), Chris Poli (Baruch MS), John Cichon (Petrides MS & HS), Frank Portella (Baruch HS), Shane Strumwasser (Baruch Volunteer Coach)
and Jean Brutus (Brooklyn Tech HS).
Jamie Franco(Hofstra) teaching a technique Team Competition against some of the top Max Zhang (Baruch HS) two time PSAL Champion
On Shane Strumwasser (Columbia U) High school programs on LI and NJ defeated his Brentwood HS (Sec. 11) opponent
Upcoming Camps- We have added two new camps being operated by the Beat the Streets Program at the USA Olympic Training Center with fifty wrestlers and 50 coaches who will be upgrading their USA Wrestling Bronze Certification to Silver.
The camp at Sullivan County Community College will be operated by the BTS Wrestling Inc. with an eye on using the college facilities for future competitions and camps. There is a strong possibility of partnering with them helping the college begin a college wrestling program.
A mat has been purchased for the college as they begin to develop their budget that could possibly see them beginning a program in 2012 or 2013.
The Basketball Program recruits quite heavily in New York City and has won 3 NJCAA National Basketball Championships the past 7 years and it is a great fit for our kids to continue wrestling after graduating high school.
Our mission statement is to expand wrestling from Youth through the Olympics.
Facts & Figures
2004- 23 PSAL High Schools and less than 300 boys
2004-2010- 65 High Schools and 86 Middle Schools with over 5000 boys & girls
2004- 10 Donors…plus a grant from USA Wrestling and a borrowed mat from Monsignor Farrell High School
2010- 1200 Donors & Sponsors
2010- The PSAL became the 3rd largest Section in NYS behind Section 6 Buffalo, Section 5 Rochester.
15 New York City High School wrestlers have qualified for the 2010 USAW National Jr. Championships in Fargo, N. Dakota at the end of July.
New York -USA Wrestling, the governing body within the state of New York, has selected Larry Cantor as one of its Team Leaders and Mike Torriero, BTS Training Center Coaching Director, as one of its coaches.
New York City has 1.2 million students and 1000 public schools. Our goal is to have a mat in every school by 2020 and potentially having over 100,000 wrestlers from Youth through College participating in the world's oldest and greatest sport.
We need more mats….every new mat we purchase means we add 1500 more kids throughout the lifetime of that mat….Mats cost us $8000…..John Smith, Head Coach at Oklahoma State University and his wife Toni, has recently donated their second wrestling mat to the Beat the Streets Program.
The first one is at Thomas Edison HS in Queens.
6/27-7/1 Hofstra Team Camp
6/29-7/2 Lehigh Technique Camp
6/30-7/4 John Smith's OSU Camp at Cobleskill
7/9-7/13 Brands Bros Iowa Camp at Binghamton
7/10-7/14 Mike Clayton's Stevens Duck Wrestling Camp
7/11-7/16 Edinboro Fighting Scot Training Camp
7/18-7/21 Rutgers Team Camp
7/24-7/29 Ken Chertow State College
8/7-8/11 Ken Chertow Allentown
New Camps:
7/26-7/29 BTS Camp at Lake Placid OTC
8/9-8/13 BTS Camp at Sullivan County Community College
For more information: www.beat-the-streets.org
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Beat the Streets Summer CampsOlympic Training Center- Lake Placid, New York
July 26th-29th, 2010
Through the generosity of the Donors & Beat-the-Streets Inc.,
an intensive four day wrestling camp will be offered at two sites
Olympic Training Center, Lake Placid, New York
Sunday, July 26th through Thursday, July 29th.
The emphasis of this camp will be on wrestling technique, mat strategy, and development of both the mind and body.
Transportation to, and from Lake Placid, housing, and meals are tuition free.
Participation in the camp is through meeting the stipulated criteria.
All applicants must be residents of New York City, and have been an active member of a New York City PSAL, CHSAA, or Independent School high school wrestling program.
Graduating seniors are not eligible.
The criteria are:
2. The first three place winners, by weight, in the 2010 Junior/Cadet Freestyle/Greco Roman
2. The first three place winners, by weight, of the 2010 PSAL Individual Wrestling Championships
3. The first three place winners, by weight, of the 2010 New York City CHSAA Wrestling Championships.
4. The first three place winners, by weight, of the 2010 CHSAA State Championships.
5. The first three place winner, by weight, of the 2010 New York State Private School State Championships
A maximum of fifty-one wrestlers will be accepted.
If the respective wrestler accepts the invitation, a twenty-five dollar non refundable administrative fee is applicable. The fee is payable to Beat-the-Streets, and must accompany the respective application.
Please mail all applications, not later than Tuesday, June 15th to Beat-the-Streets Wrestling, 145 Thompson Avenue, New York, New York 10012.
Larry A. Cantor
Coordinator, Beat-the-Streets Wrestling Camps
Beat the Streets Summer Wrestling Camp Application
Medical History
Beat -The - Streets Wrestling Camp
Sullivan County Community College, Loch Sheldrake, New York
August 9th -13th 2010
Monday August 9thth through Friday, August 13th
The emphasis of this camp will be on wrestling technique, mat strategy, and development of both the mind and body.
Transportation to, and from Sullivan County Community College, housing, and meals are tuition free.
All applicants must be residents of New York City, and have been an active member of a New York City PSAL, CHSAA, or Independent School high school wrestling program.
Graduating seniors are not eligible.
The first one hundred applications received will be eligible for enrollment.
Please mail all applications, including a twenty-five dollar administrative fee, payable to Beat-the-Streets, to Beat-the-Streets, 145 Thompson Avenue, New York, New York 10012
Metcalf vs Caldwell Match Highlights the May 13th Gala & Benefit on the IntrepidMETCALF vs CALDWELL
May 13th- New York City
6:30 PM
UNDER CARD
Middle School Division
High School Division
USA Greco Roman vs USA Greco Roman
USA Freestyle vs USA Freestyle
Battle Royale on the Decks of the Intrepid
Tale of Two Baruchs: Partners in School WrestlingBy Granville Leo Strevens -Town & Village Newspaper-Manhattan, NY
Public School Wrestling? Yes! Wrestling programs at both Simon Baruch Middle School M.S.104 and (Bernard) Baruch College Campus High School, have taken this rigorous mat sport to a whole new and higher level this season, and have become powerhouses in the city and state wrestling worlds.
Baruch Middle School Coach and Science Teacher, Chris Poli, who started his team just a few years ago and saw it become the catalyst for a citywide middle school wrestling league, has created a student-athlete "pipeline" leading and pointing his young team members onward and upward to the next academic and sports levels at Baruch High School. The results of this connection speak loudly for themselves.
Baruch High School, with Baruch Middle School members on its roster, captured first place at the 2010 PSAL Championship Tournament and sent six wrestlers to the finals where two emerged as city champions. Out of 16 Baruch HS mat men who entered the tournament, 10 finished in the top three earning All-City Honors.
Frank Portella, a former Pan American gold medalist, has coached the Baruch High School wrestling program since it began in 2006.
At the Middle School Level, Coach Chris Poli and Assistant Coach Kyle Hopkins, a student at NYU, have stepped up their efforts. The Baruch MS Lions team is comprised of over 30 students. The middle school league in which Baruch was the founding charter member, is funded by Beat The Streets Wrestling Inc.
This extraordinary organization has seeded new school programs and now has close to 100 teams in the league.
At this year's Mayor's Cup, the Baruch wrestlers finished in fifth place out of 100 teams, sending three sixth graders to the finals; and having 10 team members finish in the top four. These student athletes went on to represent New York City at the 2010 NY State Championship tournament in Binghamton, NY over the weekend of March 5, 6 and 7.
Henry Wittenberg, Champion Wrestler, Dies at 91By RICHARD GOLDSTEIN
Published: March 9, 2010
New York Times
Henry Wittenberg, an Olympic gold and silver medalist who became one of America’s greatest amateur wrestlers while he was a New York City police officer, died on Tuesday at his home in Somers, N.Y. He was 91.
Mr. Wittenberg, center, receives his prize after winning the light-heavyweight wrestling event.
His death was announced by his family.
As a teenager, Wittenberg was devoted to chess and swimming. It was not until he arrived at City College that he turned to wrestling. He became a collegiate star, and after graduating in 1940, he dominated national and international freestyle wrestling in his weight group. He went undefeated in more than 300 consecutive matches during the 1940s, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
With World War II forcing the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics, Wittenberg missed out on a chance for medals in his physical prime.
But after serving in the Navy, he won the light heavyweight (191.5 pounds) freestyle wrestling gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics. He won a silver medal at the 1952 Helsinki Games after Wiking Palm of Sweden, the gold-medal winner, ended his unbeaten streak.
Wittenberg won eight national Amateur Athletic Union championships, his last one in April 1952. He coached wrestling at Yeshiva University and City College, and he was the coach of the United States Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla., in 1977.
Wittenberg trained for his matches by running to the top rows at City College’s Lewisohn Stadium, leaping over the seats to strengthen his legs, and he lifted weights, an unorthodox regimen at the time.
“I was one of the first weight-lifting wrestlers,” he told Mike Chapman for his book “Wrestling Tough” (2005). “I had weights at home and lifted very seriously, several times a week.”
Wittenberg recalled that Art Griffith, the coach of the 1948 United States Olympic freestyle wrestlers, “told the team he didn’t want any of us lifting weights because it would make us muscle bound.”
But, he added, “I told him I was going to lift anyway, and he said, ‘O.K., but don’t let the other guys see you doing it.’ ”
Henry Wittenberg was born on Sept. 18, 1918, in Jersey City. While at Dickinson High School he was captain of the chess team and loved to swim but could not make proper turns in the pool.
His instructor, Wittenberg told The New York Times long afterward, said: “Kid, forget it. You’ll never be a swimmer. You’ve got no intestinal fortitude. You know what that means? You’ve got no guts.”
But Wittenberg was hardly discouraged. At City College, he became a protégé of Joe Sapora, the wrestling coach and a former N.C.A.A. champion at the University of Illinois.
After competing in the N.C.A.A. national championships, Wittenberg went to Columbia University’s Teachers College. He received a master’s degree in 1941 and sought a teaching job, but there were few openings, so he became a police officer. He recalled winning five citations for bravery, one of them for disarming a holdup man wielding an ax and a gun on a Manhattan rooftop. He retired as a sergeant in 1954.
Notwithstanding Wittenberg’s wrestling achievements, an Olympic Games staged long after his competitive years tempered his love for the Olympic movement.
Wittenberg had been a two-time wrestling champion at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, the international competition for Jewish athletes.
He visited Jerusalem before the 1972 Munich Olympics, giving pointers to the Israeli wrestling team. On the night of Sept. 4, 1972, Wittenberg and his wife, Edith, spent time at a Munich hotel with their friend Yosef Gutfreund, an Israeli wrestling referee.
The next day, Gutfreund and 10 fellow Israelis — athletes and coaches — were killed when Palestinian terrorists invaded the Olympic village.
“The whole concept of the Games was turned upside down,” Wittenberg told Newsday 20 years later. “It was murder for political reasons. People go to war and get killed, all right. The Olympics were fun.”
Wittenberg is survived by his son, Michael, of Pleasantville, N.Y.; his daughter, Susan Wittenberg, of Manhattan; and two grandsons. His wife, a former New York City police officer who fenced at Hunter College and coached women’s fencing at City College, died in 2008.
When Wittenberg reigned as an Olympic champion, professional wrestling was a staple of television’s early years. Vern Gagne, whom Wittenberg defeated in the finals of the 1948 Olympic trials, became a popular pro. But Wittenberg had no interest in the hair-pulling and stamping of the pro circuit, however lucrative.
“l was a wrestler,” he told The Times. “I wasn’t an actor.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/sports/10wittenberg.html?scp=1&sq=Henry%20Wittenberg&st=cse
New York State Kids State Championships Pursuit of Excellence
New York City wrestling is sending a full contingent of 80 Youth Wrestlers to the New York State
Kids Wrestling Championships at Union Endicott High School this weekend.
President Brian Giffin, Beat the Streets Wrestling Inc. announced to its board in January that the time has come for New York City to expand opportunities for its youth by competing in state, regional and very soon, national level championships.
Brian's request for full funding was simply stated " the time has come for us to begin phasing in statewide competition. We have spent 5 years building the passion and developing a wrestling culture.
We have been successful in expanding our 80 middle schools with over 3000 kids in grades 4-8 that has carried over by increasing high school participation at our 65 high schools.
We have a secured a full time person, Mike Torriero (NYS HS Champion-NCAA Qualifier at West Virginia University) to work closely with the coaches by expanding our training centers, coaches education, a girls program and a Freestyle and Greco program traveling to competitions throughout Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester County."
All of the 80 wrestlers qualified through the Middle School Championships during the Mayor's Cup held in January at the Harlem Academy. The kids are excited and are ready for the test!
For more information: www.beat-the-streets.org
NYC Freestyle DayBecome the Best by learning from the Best
When: Saturday, March 27
Where: Grand Street Campus High School, Brooklyn, NY (Corner of Grand St. and Bushwick Ave.)
Open to: No cost to Beat the Streets Wrestlers, Coaches, Refs (who will be working NYC tournaments), and any other wrestling enthusiast who wants to help the development of wrestling in NYC. Coaches from outside NYC are welcome. There will be a $100 fee.
Clinicians
Technique, Tactics and Strategy for Freestyle Wrestling:
Zeke Jones – National Freestyle Coach, World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist
Brandon Slay – Asst. National Freestyle Coach and Olympic Gold Medal
Differences between Folkstyle/Freestyle and Refereeing Freestyle Wrestling:
Bill Stecklein – FILA instructor and 4 time Olympic Games Referee
Bill Crum Tournament administration – Asst. Comp. Mgr. 1996 Olympics
For More Information: www.beat-the-streets.org
Call- Brian Giffin- Executive Director & President
Beat the Streets Wrestling Program
145 Thompson St; NY, NY 10012
212-777-5702
2010 Mayor's Cup76 High Schools Teams- 78 Middle Schools Teams
First year of combined MS and HS championship...
anticipate nearly 1500 kids wrestling...
The MWA and Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, The NYC Sports Commission, the Harlem Armory and the three groups that offer high school wrestling in the city (the PSAL;
the CHSAA; the NYSAISAA) will host at the 7th year of the Mayor's Cup of wrestling at the Harlem Armory.
All the high school wrestlers from each group are invited to compete for team and individual weight class honors and to be the best wrestler in the largest wrestling city in the world.
Plan on the dates: Saturday, January 30st; and Sunday, January 31st, 2010. Through a partnership with Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. this year's Mayor's Cup tournament will be bigger and better than ever. The Cup has expanded with more teams entered in the varsity and more in the novice division.
The 4th Annual New York City Middle School Championships will be involved along with the Mayor's Cup for the first time making it the largest single event ever held in New York State Wrestling.
Novice divisions will be held in two locations Sunday before. It is a symbol of growth for wrestling in New York City.
Since the inception of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program in 2004 New York City has become the 3rd largest Section in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
Only Section 6 (Buffalo) and Section 5 (Rochester) has more teams than the 72 New York City high schools teams involved in the PSAL and the CHSAA.
The expansion has increased with over 1500 high school wrestlers and 80 Middle Schools with over 1900 wrestlers and 80 coaches.
It has become an annual event in which to gather wrestling friends at the Mayor's Cup. Give us a session or a day with your support and buy a t-shirt to help the program continue to expand!
It is a tie to the Mayor of the greatest city in the world.
This event is a NYC HAPPENING
Yours for Youth and Wrestling,
Hope you can join us next Sat. or Sunday...it will mean a lot to the kids of New York City.
Mayor's Cup Tournament Committee
www.beat-the-streets.org
www.mwausa.org
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