Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
My Partner Vince Kittle trained this kid from day 1,...I was with him for 3 years as an assistant trainer when me and Vince had a gym together we brought him to the nationals as a JR and he was the #1 Jr SHW for 3 years,...Comes from a nice Family but like many kids could not affoard College,
At 6'3 250 by time he was 14 Football was his best chance at a scholarship for College though Boxing was his #1 favorite. At 15 we had him sparring with local pro's like Gary Wilcox, Shannon Miller etc until they decided he hit too hard......He ended up going to Northern Michigan State on a Boxing Scholarship and is being groomed for 2012 Olympics...
He was already a sparring Partner for this past Olympic team..
Thought it might make for a nice read....Always good to see a kid you helped start out from scratch excel like this..
Trevor Bryan – Planning for London 2012 - Boxing in the Capital Region - Michael Rivest - timesunion.com - Albany NY
Trevor Bryan – Planning for London 2012
January 14, 2009 at 5:21 am by Michael Rivest
http://blogs.timesunion.com/boxing/w...evor-2-med.jpg Okay, sure. It’s every young boxer’s dream to be on the 2012 USA Olympic Team. After all, it’s a whole four years away. Even the wildest fantasies can sound attainable with that kind of lead time. Geez, within four years I’ll have a doctorate, run a marathon, meet the love of my life, and be on Oprah talking about my new book.
It’s just that when Albany’s Trevor Bryan says he’s London bound in 2012, he’s not dreaming - he’s planning. I’m telling right now, he’ll be there.
I talked to Trevor last night from his room at Northern Michigan University, one of only two schools in the country that awards boxing scholarships. He was at a tournament there two years ago while still a 10th grader at Albany’s Bishop Maginn High School. “While I was there I asked some people where you can get a boxing scholarship?” (I told you he was a planner.) “They looked at me like I was crazy – ‘Right here!’ they said.
(photo by Luis Marin Creative)
Trevor accomplished a lot in the two years before graduating high school and grabbing one of those coveted spots at NMU, where he’s majoring in both culinary arts and criminal justice. Besides the inevitable championships and tournament victories, he was one of only two sparring partners chosen to travel to Colorado to work with 2012 Olympic super heavyweight, Michael Hunter; the other was Albany’s Kimdo Bethel.
“That was a great experience,” he said. “It gave me the feeling of being an Olympian, just to be there, to talk to Mike (Hunter), Michael Phelps - just to be one of them.” Not that Trevor needed another reason to believe, but that sealed it for him. “I’m going to London four years from now, and that’s that.”
“Trevor’s a great kid who backs up what he says with hard work,” says Vince Kittle, Schenectady Youth Boxing Coach. Until letting him go this past year, Kittle was Trevor’s coach for over ten years. “Trevor knows the break he got with this scholarship. He’s not a kid who’ll take that for granted.”
I learned just how well Vince knows him. I asked Trevor last night to name his best asset as a boxer. Whenever you ask that question of a serious fighter, by the way, put your pencil down because you’re in for a sermonette on their straight right, or how they hook off the jab - but not Trevor. His answer was as different as it was immediate: “My focus and my ambition. I want it.”
Just for the record, I’ll give you the sermonette on his arsenal. This kid has a jab that makes you think of Larry Holmes. And, like Larry, who could knock out people with that scary thing, Trevor has sent opponents home early with it on more than one occasion. And when Trevor goes to the body, my goodness. I saw him fight a couple years ago and his opponent’s wince is still in my ears.
I also asked Trevor another question I always ask a fighter and got another surprisingly mature answer. “What’s you biggest fear?” Instead of the usual response, which comes in two forms: “Losing,” or “What fear?” Trevor paused and said: “Becoming too one-dimensional.”
http://blogs.timesunion.com/boxing/w...evor-1-med.jpg“I know how easy it can be to rely on what you have,” he explained, ”and then suddenly you’re in the ring with somebody who shows you something different. I don’t want that to happen. When talent doesn’t work, it’s because it’s beaten by hard work.”
So when you take Trevor’s prodigious natural ability, his mature focus, his desire and then match them with great coaching, watch out. He’s gone from Vince Kittle, one of the best around, to NMU’s Al Mitchell.
Mitchell is one of the USA’s best. In 1989, he became head coach at the U.S. Olympic Education Center, training greats like Vernon Forrest, Brian Viloria, Jermaine Taylor, and gold medalist David Reid. He’s served as the 1996 Olympic Team’s head coach and the 2004 Olympic Team’s technical adviser.
Trevor and I promised to stay in touch, so I’ll keep you up to date on his progress. There’ll be lots to talk about. He and his teammates will be heading to places like Wisconsin, Colorado Springs, Cincinnati, the Virgin Islands, and Philadelphia. He’ll put the next four years to good use.
No dreams, just a solid plan.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Ill keep an eye out for this kid, sounds like hes living his dream. Im sure hes thankful to have people like you who gave him an opportunity, especially this early into his career. Fighters never forget where they come from, where they first learned the fundementals, and the people who taught them how to use their natural abilities to suceed in boxing.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Good to know that he likes boxing more than football. There are only very few who choose boxing than football. Looking forward to this kid..
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boom Boom
Ill keep an eye out for this kid, sounds like hes living his dream. Im sure hes thankful to have people like you who gave him an opportunity, especially this early into his career. Fighters never forget where they come from, where they first learned the fundementals, and the people who taught them how to use their natural abilities to suceed in boxing.
Yeah he knows his boxing for sure...His idol is Larry Holmes...One night about 2 years ago we brought him to a local show in Saratoga (Think it was Maddalone/Miller) when Pugnacious promotions a local promoter started out...
He meets Gerry Cooney in between fights Gerry was smoking a Cigar outside so we introduced him....All he kept asking about was Larry,,,How hard does he hit...etc....So Gerry (A guy with a better then average Jab himself) ask Trevor to show him his jab....Gerry was pretty impressed...Takes his coat off and shows Trevor a few things....The gives him Larry's cell phone # and told him to tell Larry Gerry gave him the #....
Gerry called Larry I guess th next day told him about Trevor and the fact he was his idol, and that he gave the kid his cell#...
He calls Larry a few days later Homes was expecting the call...He speaks with Larry on a semi regular basis...Holmes told him when ever he is ready he will show him how to perfect the jab like he did....(Not to train him or anything just show him how he threw his jab when he was the cahampion)...Never seen a kid so happy.....
He has a hell of a jab and tries to style himself after Holmes...Trevor hits harder though naturally but not a bad man to style yourself after..
Best tjhing about the kid is he has manners, he appreciates everything he learns...positive attitude
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Sounds like a good natured guy. Thats a good story, and sounds like Holmes is a good guy to look up to taking the time to get to know the kid. Definately a good guy to model the jab after. He did have one of the best.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Thats some nice stuff Daxx.Might be seeing a diamond in the ruff right there.Sounds like he has a genuine grasp on who he is & wants to be and is very level headed,Just as important as that sharp jab he is polishing.Surely he can build on both of those foundations and achieve his goals.Love that answer...."Fear of becoming too one dimensional",Thats refreshing.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
He weighs 250? How good is his mobility?
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Great Story... Nice work Daxx...I will keep my eyes open fo this kid.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
I hope youngblood sees this. I didn't think they had boxing scholarships...
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Taeth
He weighs 250? How good is his mobility?
Better then average he doesn't quite weigh that now...I posted that he was 14 at that size...he is taller and weighs about 235 now....
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Sounds good, I will watch for him. Good deal to see a kid you know do something so positive with his life
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
I was about to say 6'3 and 250 he needs to lose 20. I hope to hear from this kid soon. He's at NMU? I think it pretty much snows year round around there. That's a good thing; he won't have anything to do but train.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
I think that it is important for young heavyweights to model themselves after the Ali or Holmes type boxers because that skill level is missing from todays heavyweight. The jab wins fights, and a lot of these guys dont realize that. Now they all rely on power and even the top heavyweights are plodders. Young heavies should study Ali-Williams or Holmes-Shavers and emulate their movement and jab. Obviously not every guy has the build or ability to to fight certain styles, but if they do they should learn from former great fighters.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Killface
I was about to say 6'3 and 250 he needs to lose 20. I hope to hear from this kid soon. He's at NMU? I think it pretty much snows year round around there. That's a good thing; he won't have anything to do but train.
He stands about 6'4 now still growing.....Changing from a kids body into a mans...
From what I understand only 2 colleges in the country offer boxing scholarships...NMU and could not tell you the other one
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Boom Boom
I think that it is important for young heavyweights to model themselves after the Ali or Holmes type boxers because that skill level is missing from todays heavyweight. The jab wins fights, and a lot of these guys dont realize that. Now they all rely on power and even the top heavyweights are plodders. Young heavies should study Ali-Williams or Holmes-Shavers and emulate their movement and jab. Obviously not every guy has the build or ability to to fight certain styles, but if they do they should learn from former great fighters.
Back when HW fighters were what they should be
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DaxxKahn
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Killface
I was about to say 6'3 and 250 he needs to lose 20. I hope to hear from this kid soon. He's at NMU? I think it pretty much snows year round around there. That's a good thing; he won't have anything to do but train.
He stands about 6'4 now still growing.....Changing from a kids body into a mans...
From what I understand only 2 colleges in the country offer boxing scholarships...NMU and could not tell you the other one
What kind of degree can you get with that, I wonder...
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Killface
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DaxxKahn
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Killface
I was about to say 6'3 and 250 he needs to lose 20. I hope to hear from this kid soon. He's at NMU? I think it pretty much snows year round around there. That's a good thing; he won't have anything to do but train.
He stands about 6'4 now still growing.....Changing from a kids body into a mans...
From what I understand only 2 colleges in the country offer boxing scholarships...NMU and could not tell you the other one
What kind of degree can you get with that, I wonder...
With a scholarship you can study anything...you just need to keep a grade point average and continue with the program you are there for...Pretty much same as football....
I know he is going for Criminal Justice and culinary arts (Crazy combo)
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Nice very solid stance placement,you must be prouder then punch
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Ya I remember reading a while ago, I think when I first joined this site about boxing scholarships, and that it was rare. It may even have been at boxrec...not completely sure.
It is good to know that it is available, albeit rarely and modestly. I believe the thinking is that individual sports tend to take a back seat to team sports, and I can understand that from a generating $$ point of view. As well as where the sport ranks in general popularity. Then again, I know they offer golf scholarships too in the US, as a guy I know got one from our town in the US at for it, so...anything is possible.
But let's face it, it usually boils down to dollars and cents for such things and I imagine it is a long list for a short roster. Still, it is good to know it is available and something I plan to look into.
And yea...geebus, that dude was 250lbs @ 14? lol wowsers. Glad I don't have em for a sparring partner.
Re: Article on a Kid I used to train on a Boxing Scholarship to Northen Michigan
Not just $, but you can have a way bigger program, generally Football other sports are much more popular thus place a much large spotlight on specific schools. Obviously the money helps as well :).
