Athletics looks to jumpstart boxing program
Jason Bates
Copy Desk
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Sports
Greeted by the repetitive smack of speed ropes skipping off of the compression floor, TSU boxers arrived at the Boxing Resource Center to prepare for their third 5 p.m. practice of the week.
The trip to the center, which is located off Main Street in East Nashville, is a routine journey that most TSU boxers travel in order to hone their skills.
Derric Lee, a sophomore aerospace/industrial technology major from Memphis, the designated captain of the team due to his year of experience, began to wrap his hands with a roll of yellow cloth. His sole teammate from last season did not return to TSU this year.
"The other member, James, he decided to stay in Memphis to work on his music career," Lee said.
Lee sat next to his new teammates, or what is left of them. That is the trouble about boxing: it is not for everyone that wants it.
"The problem we've run into with the team is that they start to drop away," said coach Aaron Roston. "I've already had 10 people on the team in one form or another, and we're already down to four."
The four boxers that remain said they are certainly dedicated. Quinn Panganiban, a freshman mass communications major from Nashville, has been going to the gym while attending Hillsboro High School.
Thomas Cox, a junior criminal justice major from Cincinnati, Ohio, was looking at the gym when Roston approached him.
"I was in the gym," Cox said. "I'd always wanted to box. I came in here and coach came over and asked me if I'd like to join. I said 'Sure, why not? I go to TSU, why not?' "
Linda Martin, a sophomore early childhood development major from Milwaukee, Wis., shared a similar story.
Martin said, "I was calling around to look for a boxing gym just to come to, and when I called this gym they actually told me about TSU's team practicing here."
Martin added that she has been boxing on and off for about two years, and she has an uncle who is a trainer.
"The team) is sort of a family," Roston said. "It's sort of a weird cult. Boxing is almost like a cult. There's so much sacrifice involved and so much hard work."
The trip to the center, which is located off Main Street in East Nashville, is a routine journey that most TSU boxers travel in order to hone their skills.
Derric Lee, a sophomore aerospace/industrial technology major from Memphis, the designated captain of the team due to his year of experience, began to wrap his hands with a roll of yellow cloth. His sole teammate from last season did not return to TSU this year.
"The other member, James, he decided to stay in Memphis to work on his music career," Lee said.
Lee sat next to his new teammates, or what is left of them. That is the trouble about boxing: it is not for everyone that wants it.
"The problem we've run into with the team is that they start to drop away," said coach Aaron Roston. "I've already had 10 people on the team in one form or another, and we're already down to four."
The four boxers that remain said they are certainly dedicated. Quinn Panganiban, a freshman mass communications major from Nashville, has been going to the gym while attending Hillsboro High School.
Thomas Cox, a junior criminal justice major from Cincinnati, Ohio, was looking at the gym when Roston approached him.
"I was in the gym," Cox said. "I'd always wanted to box. I came in here and coach came over and asked me if I'd like to join. I said 'Sure, why not? I go to TSU, why not?' "
Linda Martin, a sophomore early childhood development major from Milwaukee, Wis., shared a similar story.
Martin said, "I was calling around to look for a boxing gym just to come to, and when I called this gym they actually told me about TSU's team practicing here."
Martin added that she has been boxing on and off for about two years, and she has an uncle who is a trainer.
"The team) is sort of a family," Roston said. "It's sort of a weird cult. Boxing is almost like a cult. There's so much sacrifice involved and so much hard work."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
jasonglades
Accounting Thesis
posted 2/19/09 @ 10:49 AM CST
"The other member, James, he decided to stay in Memphis to work on his music career," very interesting expression of Derric Lee.
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