FEATURE

 
Panther Pride Wrestling
Little Village Academy Embraces BAM
By Paul Slomski, WSC Contributor
 
At 3 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, more than twenty boys from Little Village Academy assemble in the 2nd story gym and participate in a grueling two-hour wrestling session. They work their way through a series of calisthenics and drills, learn technique, and wrestle. They also release any stress they have built up throughout the day, struggle through adversity individually, cheer each other on collectively and learn valuable lessons. The Little Village neighborhood has its own unique challenges, but for these young men, with the help of the Becoming A Man (BAM) – Sports Edition, they will grow up with better options and a set of tools to help them succeed.

World Sport Chicago and Youth Guidance have been conducting this innovative new program, BAM, in a number of Chicago Public Schools throughout the city over the last two years. Hundreds of adolescent boys have been receiving a unique combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure to non-traditional sports, all in an effort to help them find constructive ways to channel their energy and to develop the self-esteem and confidence needed to face the challenges and pressures that come their way. The sports programs are delivered after school and include wrestling, archery, boxing, judo, karate, weightlifting and team handball, while the in-school sessions take place once a week, conducting exercises and discussions around BAM’s five core values.
 
Little Village Academy Principal Elsa Carmona can’t say enough about the program and knows how fortunate they are to have BAM, “It makes a difference in my children. There are not a lot of options in the neighborhood in terms of sports, but these boys have embraced wrestling and it is obvious their attitude, behavior and motivation have improved. We have documented testimonials!”
 
Elsa Carmona, Little Village Principal

 

 Panther Wrestlers

Miguel V., 8th Grade – “Wrestling is a great way to release all your energy after school. It teaches me to stay patient and try my best to get back up.” When asked what he would be doing if he didn’t have the BAM program three days a week after school, “I would be bored!”

 

 

 
 

Arturo O., 8th Grade – “Wrestling helps you let your anger out right away, you can solve your problems on the mat if you have a disagreement in school.” “I was a little bit of a slacker in terms of my grades, they have improved and I have more confidence in myself.”

 

 Coach Jeff Stuater

Coach Stuater Teaching Cross-Face Grappling

Jeff Stauter (teaching cross-face grappling above, left), a Little Village Academy social studies teacher took on the role as BAM wrestling coach last year and has seen the program grow, “This is a tough neighborhood, after school programs are essential, for three days a week, we provide a chance to get off the streets, learn and compete. They realize just like real life, they get out of it what they put in.”

Coach Stuater Running Drills

 Five BAM Values

BAM's Five Core Values

1. Integrity
2. Accountability
3. Self-Determination
4. Positive Anger Expression
5. Visionary Goal Setting

 Panther Team Video

Panther Pride!
Check out Coach Stauter’s short video

LITTLE VILLAGE PANTHERS BAM WRESTLING VIDEO

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