BU Boxing Club

Bloomsburg University Boxing Club

 Stepping into the Bloomsburg gym way in the back room on a Tuesday or Thursday will certainly take your breathe away. If you have never been to the gym, it's the only building right behind the library. You will often see students entering and leaving this building so it should not be hard to spot. As you open the door your eyes will be opened wide and ready to explore; explore new things that you may have never seen before. Explore the world of boxing, watching those who love to box look as though they are in a whole different world, a world of self defense and skill. If you're anything like me, your eyes will instantly stop at the trainer and his trainee in the "boxing ring" set up by cones. "One, one two, one two three, roll, step back, right hand." The glove clashes the pads on the trainers hands, sounding like gun shots from the intensity and power of the punch. Sweat slides down the trainees face as if it was water on a window from a rainy night. You can feel the seriousness in the his face focused and alert, waiting to see what's next. This, is the experience of a boxer in the Husky Boxing Club.

       How did this all come about? From four young freshmen with the same dream, Amir Capers, Zahaire Lewis, Kelyn Brown, Delly & the advisor of the club Luke Betley. "This our their dream because we all loved the idea of being in the ring and all shared a common in interest and respect in Muhammad Ali" Zahaire said, which I believe to be the true reason why each one of them wanted this little group activity they shared to become a club to share with everyone. It all started from boxing in the gym as a way to exercise and stay in shape. Little did they know it would grow into this. The Husky Boxing Club was thought of in 2016 but finally established in 2017, after the great help from Luke Betley. "I was approached in the fall of 2016, asked to be the advisor, without hesitation I answered yes before they could even finish talking. I feel that i'ts a excellent opportunity for students to get involved in something they enjoy. The fact that them four freshmen made it happen as a one, still shocks me today" said Luke. In addition, I spoke to a current new member, Shai'Anne Perkins, about her experience and how she feels about the club. "I think the club is interesting to do, it really makes me feel like I can walk the bloom streets at 4:30am and be able to handle any body who comes at me." Then, I asked her what she can label as her strength and as her weakness. "I struggle with the speed bag, it can be such a hard pace to follow along with because with one slight mistake, it throws you off. But my strength will lie within remembering my combinations, I guess I just have a better memory than I do hands." 

       As students walk through the door the first thing they'll will notice is the loud music blasting as if a concert was performing followed by a bell every 3 minutes to let members know the drill has either started or ended. The music heard will often be considered as "hype music," music played fast to help members stay active, entertained, and engaged. The one wall of the room is a full mirror, so members of the club can practice how their punches look and feel while seeing it for themselves often as well. On the right side, new coming members will be met with a  group of weights there to help you gather up your strength, to prepare you for the night ahead of you filled with practice. During a drill, you can do any type of exercise that helps you perform in the ring when it comes to being your turn. You can jump rope, work on combinations, punching or speed bag, or use the punch corner. When using the speed bag, it sounds as if you are outside, hearing construction being done with the drill used to unravel the streets. Including sparing, which varies on the days and times completed. It's more or less a full on practice with everything you have learned. As a matter of fact, you'll be able to get past the smell of sweat and hard work after about 5 minutes so don't worry The drills are quite simple for those who are there to learn self defense or trying to stay in shape. They have a section for footwork, punching bags, the speed bag, and the ring. Personally, my favorite is the speed bag, a small bag that you punch repeatedly to boosted the speed of your punches. 

       The Boxing Club is open to all who wants to join, including girls. It is available through Husky Sync, the requirement is that everyone needs a physical to be signed. Once you have completed that, you may begin your training. Not only is this fun and a new experience for those who never boxed before, but also a learning environment. Would you sign up?