Mesquite Boxing Gym Article

Mesquite Boxing Gym to Host Open House

Posting Date: 07/29/2011

By Carrie Gomez

The Mesquite Boxing Club is free for kids ages 8-18 who not only can train physically for boxing, but can also participate in a tutoring and nutrition program. Photo by Carrie Gomez

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” are famous words spoken by one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.

Muhammad Ali started boxing after his bike got stolen when he was 12 years old, and progressed into one of the biggest names that boxing has ever had. He has stayed dedicated to his craft to this day; although Parkinson’s Syndrome has taken control of his body and Ali can no longer fight, he remains a hero and icon of the 20^th century.

The Mesquite Boxing Gym has been around for a long time and the building shows it’s age. Matt McCulloch, the manager/coach at the gym took over in 2006 and has put his heart and soul into keeping it going strong. The gym is a 501c3 organization under the Family Services Division, and runs mainly on grants, fundraisers and private donations. It’s free for kids ages 8-18 who not only can train physically for boxing, but can also participate in a tutoring and nutrition program.

There are five coaches who volunteer regularly with the gym: Matt McCulloch, Tom Brooks, Brian Jerrel, Eduardo Rolan, and Don Rawson. At least one coach is at the gym during every open hour teaching conditioning, boxing techniques, and eventually sparring. Kids (both boys and girls) are put into one of three brackets, which are based more on commitment than skill level. “Some of the boxers are competition ready, and some are not,” states McCulloch.

The gym began its tutoring and nutrition program in 2010; tutors work with the children on a voluntary basis, and all subject help is available. A grant was awarded to the gym in May which will help to expand the program. Currently, McCulloch is holding a Summer Reading Incentive program. For every three books a child reads, complete with a half page summary of each, an award is given. Awards include Walmart gift cards, games of bowling, and movie passes. During the school year, there will be a contest each semester. The child that reads the most books in one semester will receive a Nook. Another incentive that the gym offers during the school year is even bigger and better. Any boxer who brings in a report card with a cumulative 3.0 GPA will have their USA Boxing Registration and boxing shoes paid for, which is a value of over $100.

McCulloch took over the gym after his son Anthony gained an interest in boxing. He is now a certified coach with USA Boxing, and thoroughly enjoys working with the kids, listening, and most importantly watching them progress.

The Mesquite Boxing Gym will hold an open house on Aug. 17, from 6pm-7pm to raise community awareness and promote its programs. People are encouraged to meet the coaches, check out the trophies, and watch a demonstration of the boxers everyday workout.

For more information on the Mesquite Boxing Gym, McCulloch is available at the gym, located at 51 1^st Street, any Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

I am NOT a Sports Writer!

‘Going Deep’ Wins Men's Softball Title Once Again Posting Date: 07/21/2011 By Carrie Gomez

The evening started off tense. This would be the last softball game of the season for all the teams, and only one would walk away with the championship title. It was down to three teams: Eureka, Primex, and "Going Deep." The first game of the night was Eureka against Primex, and both teams had an equal chance in winning. Both teams had lost one game in the playoffs so far, and since it was a double elimination tournament, the winning team would play Going Deep, who had dominated the playoffs without a single loss. Play ball! The first game (Eureka vs. Primex) started with both teams playing great defense but not such great offense. There was no score until the fourth inning, when Scotty Evans scored the first run of the game for Primex. From there, the game got a bit more interesting. Another team member scored, and Primex led the game 2-0. In the 5th inning, Eureka scored their first run and upped the pressure where it remained high. Several more runs were scored in the remainder of the game. The ending score was 5-3, and Primex advanced into the finals. Primex, who was the underdog, was up to bat first. The ball was hit directly to shortstop Troy Tanner of Going Deep for an immediate out. The game remained scoreless, but not for long. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Going Deep scored the first run of the game, quickly followed by two more. By the top of the 3rd, the score was 3-0, and no words were exchanged between teams. All eyes were on the ball, as some would say. The luck continued for Going Deep until the top of the 6th inning, when Primex scored three runs in a row. As the crowd went wild, the athletes got more competitive, and the smack-talking began. Primex scored again before the top of the 7th, but they needed one more run to tie the game and continue playing. Going Deep kicked up their defense, and didn’t let a single run score in the 7th inning. As the last out of the inning was made, everyone knew what had happened. Going Deep had won the Men’s League Softball Championship for the second season so far this year. Congratulations, and a well-played game by all.

Newspaper...

Well, I've recently gotten another job as a reporter/stringer for a local newspaper, the Mesquite Citizen Journal. It's online only--no printed paper. Check it out at www.mesquitecitizen.com and look for my articles! I'll also post them on here :)