WEST POINT, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2010) -- Members of the Cadet Boxing Club made a big impression on Detroit Oct. 29-30.
Originally, the team went to box in the Chuck Davey Boxing Classic at the Detroit Athletic Club Boxing event, an annual tournament for West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Prior to the event, General Motors asked the coaches of all three teams to bring one of their boxers with them to discuss why they went to their respective academies and what their lives as cadets and midshipmen are like to a group of approximately 300 6th through 8th graders at a Detroit charter middle school.
"I wanted to go to college to further my education and to serve my country," Firstie team captain Terrell Anthony, son of a command sergeant major stationed in Iraq, said. "West Point offers so many fantastic opportunities, and you should not consider it to be 'out of reach'-however, it is important that you study hard, get involved in various athletics, make the right choices, select good friends and listen to the advice of your parents, teachers and counselors if your goal is to attend West Point."
The West Point Boxing Team brought four yearlings and two firsties to the event and came away with one win and two losses to Navy and two wins and one loss to Air Force.
Dr. Ray Barone, West Point boxing coach, said the event provides great experience for West Point's young boxers and helps prepare the team for subsequent national tournaments.
On Oct. 30, the Army team conducted a boxing clinic for inner-city youths at the request of Robert A. Ficano, the Wayne County Chief Executive.
Barone first talked about West Point and the admissions process and gave some insight into making the right life-choices. He and the team reviewed boxing fundamentals for the group as a whole and individually after his talk.
"I saw a lot of myself in these young people," Anthony, a two-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion, said. "It was very rewarding for me to let them know that the opportunity is there-all they have to do is go get it."
Class of 2011 Cadet Seth King said it was a rewarding experience, working with these young people and seeing their interest in boxing. The three academies plan to meet at the DAC again next October and Barone is already receiving requests to do either more clinics or increase the size of the clinic for Detroit youngsters next year.
"This was a great opportunity for inter-city youths to hear from West Point cadets--some of whom may have been in 'their shoes' several years ago--about the opportunities that a West Point education has to offer and how to apply," Barone said. "We are looking forward to reaching more young people next year."
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