SouthSide Scramblers Gearing Up For
The Second Annual
World Sport Chicago Wrestling Festival
By Paul Slomski, WSC Contributor
As Head Coach of the DuSable High School wrestling program, Dave “The Claw” Burchett has a passion for developing wrestlers and building men. He has seen first-hand how the sport can build character and open up avenues of opportunities for inner-city kids. His love of the sport and commitment to Chicago’s youth who share his passion for wrestling prompted him to start the Southside Scramblers a few years ago as an “off-season” program for elementary and high school grapplers.
The Scramblers is an “off-season” program for kids from any part of the city, age 4 to 20, designed to give them the opportunity to become state ranked wrestlers and champions by honing their craft when their respective schools are not competing in the ISHA season. Their goal is not only to create great wrestlers but to build great men through community service, character building and wrestling, instilling values such as integrity, hard work, honor and discipline.
“I really believe in what I am doing,” exclaims Burchett, “all the coaches involved with the Scramblers love the sport and come out on their own time. We provide an avenue for these young men to continue to develop their skills in the off-season, and spend their time productively by practicing and learning.” The Scramblers practice twice a week, hold an “open mat” on Saturdays and compete in up to eight tournaments throughout their “off-season.”
March 2011 - Members of the Southside Scramblers volunteering at Pacific Garden Missionary as part of their efforts to combine wrestling and community service to build great men.
As a member of the Scramblers, each wrestler is expected to participate in three community service projects a year. “It is important that the kids realize all the coaches are volunteers and many of the resources it takes to run the club are generously donated. We don’t want the kids to take it all for granted, so we show them it is important for them to give back as well,” said Burchett.
Burchett is also quick to thank World Sport Chicago for the commitment it has shown in helping him get the Scramblers started and building the largest inner-city wrestling club in Chicago, “We could not have done it without them.” The Scramblers are now gearing up for their final event of the season, the 2nd Annual World Sport Chicago Wrestling Fest at Navy Pier before they all go back to their respective school teams for the ISHA season.
The Scramblers will be bringing more than 15 kids to Wrestling Fest, a unique event that is expected to draw more than 600 wrestlers age 10 to 35+ from all over the Midwest. “I am excited to wrap up our year at Wrestling Fest, watch out for Aaron Brown and Rickey Williams, they are great kids, both on the honor roll and have come a long way this year,” exclaimed Burchett.
The Fest, started by World Sport Chicago and its host partners, brings back the competitive wrestling spirit to the city of Chicago while allowing access by everyone regardless of age and experience. No pre-qualification is necessary to participate in the four-man, round-robin style tournament blocked on age group, weight and experience level. The open tournament allows for a fun and challenging experience for everyone from first year wrestlers to seasoned veterans.
Click here to visit the event homepage for more details and complete registration information!