Lending a hand
Local businesses helping to sponsor AG youth wrestling
If any fanbase could rival the passion of the Deadheads, it would be wrestling fans.
Whether it is at the youth, middle school, high school, collegiate or senior level, the dedication is evident in every practice and competition.
Wrestling fans are also loyal, and will do whatever they can to assist anyone who is involved in the sport, even if they are from a rival school.
Albert Gallatin Youth Wrestling President Brian Carey was ecstatic when he discovered the generosity of wrestling fans in the area.
“After the state tournament ended last year, I started to go to local businesses and look for donations and sponsorships,” Carey said. “We started raising money for the season around April. It does take some work, but we are fortunate to have some very good people in our corner.”
Carey, who is in his third year as president of the youth program at Albert Gallatin, has received donations from state and national businesses, but was blown away by the local businesses that have been willing to pitch in.
“I reached out to Hranec Corp., and within 15 minutes, Steve Hranec came back with a $10,000 donation,” Carey said. “The donations helped us to purchase new mats, and we put the logo on the corner of the mats. We received donations from AR Roofing, J&S Bridal and Reese Gun Supply, and they are all local businesses. We did receive donations from Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sheetz through their foundations.”
Carey had a conversation during a recent inquiry that demonstrated the passion of the wrestling community, which is often compared to a family.
“I was speaking with Jim Collins here on Route 21 regarding a sponsorship, and he had me on the phone for two hours,” Carey said. “Even if you are at a different school, the people involved in wrestling will become your friends, and those friendships will last as the years go by. It is big to get your local community involved. We have help from our parents, and I usually take my kids when we go around to pitch sponsorships to the businesses.”
Carey is pleased with the direction of the program, and trusts in the process.
“We would like to see kids on the podium at states, but it’s not about piling up wins at the youth level,” Carey said. “We want it to be educational, but also fun, for our kids. Our coaches know their stuff, and they help these kids improve, but you have to continue to progress. We want to make wrestling affordable for the kids’ parents.”
The remaining businesses and individuals have donated to the program: First Federal, Aaron’s, United Bank, The United Federal Credit Union, LC Junk, Reese Warehouse, Kacie’s Sports Cafe, Pento HomeCare, WVU Medicine, MyHouse, French Engineering, Crown, NOBELLCLAD, Pediatric & Teenage Dentistry, Mike Kelly, Tammy’s Hair Salon, Helen’s Notary, Family Ties, J&J Mechanical Enterprise, Rush Elliott Electrical, Southwestern Endoscopy, Hunter Truck Sales, The Beauty Spa, Sunoco A Plus, Douglas Sholtis, ME, H2O Pool, Yowler Trophies, Twin Rocks Auto, and Brenda’s Blades & Shaves.