BATTLE CREEK — It's good exercise and a way to protect yourself if necessary. Boxing is a bit of an under-the-radar activity, and until recently there weren't many trails for boxing in the Battle Creek area.
That's why Drew Beekman stepped in to bring the sport he's passionate about to more people.
Beekman started the Built on Stone Boxing Club out of the Family YMCA in Battle Creek. Partnered with New Level Sports Ministries, the boxing club is now being enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities looking to learn more about the sport.
“I've wanted to box for a long time, but I didn't really have a chance to do it here in Battle Creek. But I found out about this, got hooked on it, and started loving it. 14-year-old Isaiah Gray of Battle Creek. “Above all, I love the brotherhood there. We've all developed a close bond between us through the training we do here.”
Built on Stone Boxing Club was launched in January with the self-proclaimed goal of discipline and character building by using boxing as a vehicle to further develop and grow the individuals participating in the program.
Beekman currently holds several classes per week for participants ages 13 to 44. Starting at age 8, she also runs weekend classes for youth as young as 10, all using up the family YMCA's small gym space.
“Some athletes want to compete to grow and take it to the next level, but at the same time there are athletes who just want to learn self-defense and train for practice,” Beekman said. “I train athletes of all levels who want to participate, and at the moment we have a good core group of boxers who are pretty committed to the sport.
“Some people come in with no background at all. They basically have to learn how to stand before we start and go from there. They have to work with other people and their families. There are some people that I have worked with and I try to hone what they have.”
Beekman requires all boxers to register through USA Boxing and is himself a boxing coach registered at the Bronze level through USA Boxing. His background includes training and teaching at multiple gyms throughout his career in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The opportunity to work with New Level Sports recently came up and he thought it was a good fit.
“Before that, I was working at a gym, but the head coach ended up moving out of state, so I decided I wanted to continue playing the sport in Battle Creek, so my wife and I talked about it, and we ended up partnering with NLS. We ended up buying all the equipment.'' Thanks to the incredible support for the program, Bada Bing, Bada Boom has set up shop at the Y,'' Beekman said. “I don't charge a fee because I'm trying to reach the demographic that needs this outlet. People must have an AA Y membership and we want everyone to register with USA Boxing. I’m here.”
This young program is not yet at the level of hosting games or having groups compete across the state at this time. But that's the goal for Beekman and his boxers.
Keegan Love, 18, said, “I was looking for a boxing gym in the area and was having trouble finding one, but I found Coach Drew and started working here with him.'' “The best thing in all of this is Coach Drew. He really understands boxing and what it is and the training part of it. We all just learn and get better. I'm just working hard for it.”
“But my biggest goal is that I want to be a pro one day. It all starts here. It's going to be a lot of hard work, but I feel like Coach Drew and this gym will get me there.” I am.”
Please contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. X/ Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
