Boxing program designed to help city youth learn life skills

Date: 5/17/2010

May 17, 2010

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD - For the 18 Springfield youth enrolled in "A Neutral Corner" (ANC), learning how to box isn't about self-defense or a sport - it's about learning skills needed in life.

That was the message Gianna Allentuck, the founder of the new program, gave at a press event Wednesday in front of the boxing ring at the South End Community Center (SECC).

"Boxing is not a sport of punches and violence, but a craft dedicated to focus, hard work, discipline and strength building all necessary skills for today's youth. ANC will help them find a path to academic, behavioral, social and career success benefiting themselves and the community," she said.

Allentuck, who is an adjustment counselor at the Elias Brooking E.L. Museum Magnet School, explained the students from grades six through 10 come from Kiley, Kennedy and Chestnut middle schools as well as the High School of Commerce and the Springfield High School of Science and Technology. She said the students were selected by adjustment counselors as young people who would benefit from the lessons learned from the program.

Allentuck is part of the Springfield Violence Prevention Task Force and sees the program as part of a larger effort to address the issue of violence in the city's schools and streets.

Each Wednesday, from April 28 through June 16, the students meet at the SECC for a 90-minute program taught by professional trainer Patrick Ireland. Ireland is a New England Golden Gloves Champion who also competed in Olympic trials and had 18 professional bouts.

The program cost $5,000 and has been financed through private donations, Allentuck said. The greatest part of the budget is spent on transporting the students, she added.

The students who complete the course will receive a certificate and a yearlong membership at SECC to participate in the center's after school and athletic programs, Allentuck said.

The idea for the program came to Allentuck, who was taking boxing lessons herself at SECC. She comes from a family where boxing played a prominent role. Her grandfather was a boxing manager in Connecticut who once managed legendary middleweight champion Sugar Ray Leonard in a fight.

Dylan Pelletier, a seventh grader from Chestnut Middle School, and Richard Santiago, a sixth grader from Kiley Middle School, are two of the participants. Santiago has some boxing experience, while Pelletier has not, but both students said they were enjoying the program.

Santiago said was learning more skills. Pelletier commented that he was learning to control his anger and getting in better shape.

Pelletier added he wished the program was longer.

"It's only eight days," he said.

Allentuck is planning to run an expanded program next spring that would include 20 young women.

Mayor Domenic Sarno believes the lessons learned in the ring of "respect, discipline and success" will transfer outside the ring.

"We need the boxers to be leaders on the streets and in the schools," he added.

For more information on the ANC program, please contact Allentuck directly at (703) 930-0243.