Brute-adidas Nationals Gives Back to the Wrestling Community
R.E.A.C.H.E.S donates event proceeds to West Chester University to purchase new mat.
Aaron Koezler, (Dick’s Sporting Goods), Jeff Bowyer (REACHES Executive Director),
Jeff Breese (B.A.N. Director of Media) make a donation to West Chester University Wrestling Club on behalf of R.E.A.C.H.E.S. and the 2008 BRUTE-adidas Nationals.
Sinking Spring, PA – May 1, 2009 – The BRUTE-adidas Nationals, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods (www.brute.com/bruteadidasnationals ), one of the premier youth and high school wrestling events in the United States, today announced its donation that aims to give back to the wrestling community. R.E.A.C.H.E.S Executive Director, Jeff Bowyer announced that proceeds from the 2008 BRUTE-adidas Nationals were donated to West Chester University wrestling club to purchase a new mat for reinstatement of their wrestling program that was eliminate in 1986. Equally rewarding was the fact that in its first year of reinstatement, The West Chester University Club program honored its first NCWA National Champion Dillon Evans at 149lbs in March. “We are pleased to see that the funds from the R.E.A.C.H.E.S. program are benefiting athletes and providing them with opportunities they might not have been afforded had it not been for the efforts of events like the BRUTE-adidas Nationals,” said R.E.A.C.H.E.S. Executive Director, Jeff Bowyer.
R.E.A.C.H.E.S. (Rewarding Educational Choices Helping Each Sport), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 in an effort to promote, protect and preserve the integrity of amateur athletics by providing athletic and education opportunities to athletes of all ages and abilities. Profits from R.E.A.C.H.E.S events are used to support specific needs in each sport to ensure future generations of athletes, fans, parents, and coaches continue to learn from valuable lifelong lessons.
For the third consecutive year in its expanded 1st-12th grade format, the 2009 BRUTE-adidas Nationals was held in Kansas City, MO. Nearly 1,400 wrestlers representing 32 states from around the entire U.S. including the state of Hawaii which has attended the past three years and this year brought 9 wrestlers & 10 parents. The FanFest area was also a favorite spot of the participants and spectators. This free area was located in the Exhibit Hall of Municipal Auditorium and featured interactive games both Friday & Saturday.
Participants, coaches and spectators enjoyed clinics & autograph signings with Henry Cejudo, the Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Charles, Assistant wrestling Coach at the University of Missouri and All-Americans and NCAA Champions Rick and Rocky Bonomo. Younger wrestlers were especially excited to get their photos taken with Olympic Champion and adidas Athlete Henry Cejudo and see his gold medal.
Proceeds from 2009 BRUTE-adidas Nationals, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods will be announced in the spring of 2010. For more information about R.E.A.C.H.E.S, please visit www.reachessports.org
