Jonathan Says: Where is boxing at WCCHS?
Photo by Dave Jennings
Jonathan Saucedo looks at issues affecting WCCHS, the surrounding area, and the world.
April 25, 2023
WCCHS has many sports and teams for students to join, ranging from soccer and football to swimming and tennis, to cross country and volleyball. One sport, however, is notably absent: boxing.
Is boxing not on the rosterbecause it is dangerous? Because the athletics department cannot afford a ring? Or is it because the school never looked into the idea?
“Thousands of boys and girls younger than 19 years of age participate in boxing in North America.” Of course, boxing can be considered dangerous if not done right; many people have been seriously injured in the ring, and some have even paid for their lives. But, that does not excuse the fact that the high school does not offer boxing (even kickboxing, for that matter, which many consider a form of self-defense). People love watching and participating in the sport of boxing, one of the most popular sports in the world.
What if boxing got put into the curriculum or sports line-up at the high school? Sure, it may have to be carried out in a more friendly manner than those televised matches, but the class/team would appeal to people who like hands-on sports.
“The only thing we have close to a boxing or martial art is Self-Defense class in PE (that is currently being run)” Dave Pater, Athletic Director, said via email.
According to Activity Director Marc Wolfe, the idea has never been considered before. However, boxing is a popular sport, as evidenced by not one, but two boxing facilities in West Chicago: Thoro’Bred Fitness and Power Boxing and Fitness.
When people hear “boxing” the first thing that comes to mind is throwing hands and hitting one another until beat down; however, there is way more to the athletic competition than just that. Boxing is both a sport and a form of martial arts, useful for young people wanting to get into hard-training sports such as ice hockey, football, etc… Not only is boxing fun, but it also benefits the body in many ways:
All of these variables help the body become stronger and better than ever. And the amount of muscle one can put on during training is astonishing, abs, obliques, lower back, maintain body weight hips, glutes, and many more: no doubt about it, boxing is an amazing way of both losing weight and gaining muscle.
“Boxing is an incredible full-body workout that can help you to build muscle in your legs, hips, core, arms, chest, and shoulders. It can also help with your strength, speed, hand-eye coordination, agility, endurance, and power,” according to Legends Boxing, a group that offers boxing classes for ages 12 and up.
Bringing boxing here, to West Chicago Community High School, is a great opportunity to increase participation in sports, especially considering how popular lifting and strength training are right now. Many readers have likely loved watching boxing on TV, and have perhaps even tried boxing in the past. It is one of those sports that is hard to get into, but once someone does, they fall in love with it; boxing can easily become a daily routine.
Every athlete needs training, and training for boxing pays off so well: in the end, the boxer gets the satisfaction of throwing a fist and making a win. Of course, bringing boxing to WEGO will not involve the violence sometimes seen in professional matches, as this is a school after all. But, considering the benefits of the sport, it would be great to see WCCHS make boxing a class or club – either one
Many students would find interest and join right away.
“I want boxing to be here at school because I think it will benefit the activity in students and teach them how to properly learn self-defense in a safe and healthy environment where we can learn to protect ourselves alongside creating friendships with other members in the sport,” Sarai Serrano, a sophomore said.
So have a go at it: bring boxing to our school.
