#UMassGives 2019

Now in its ninth year of existence, the UMass Boxing Club was founded in June 2010 by the current coach, Rocky Snow, and Josue (Josh) Lopez. Aside from the obvious character-building aspects of the sport, members are provided with a controlled environment in which to learn basic boxing technique. Students in the club are encouraged, but not required to compete. In our practices held at the UMass Rec Center, members get a great workout, invaluable self-defense skills, as well as practical lessons in technique, and a lifelong network of friends, should they stick with the sport.

Our competition team has achieved a great deal of success in its short lifespan. Our first club president and team captain, Josh Lopez, was a three-time All-American, and two-time national champion (2012, 2013,) and only sustained one loss in his three years of competing. In those two years, UMass Boxing was ranked fifth in the country, trailing only the military academies. Aside from that, he was able to graduate with a 3.9 GPA, and two degrees. Coach Rocky stresses the importance of academics over sports, and it shows. In his forty years of involvement in the sport, no fighter has been seriously injured on his watch, and none have been allowed to prioritize boxing over academics. Our competing members have always achieved in the classroom, just as much as they have in the ring. It’s a winning tradition that has continued through this year, which was exemplified last year by three of our fighters qualifying for the national championship tournament at West Point, in the first week of April. Your donations are needed and would be put to great use, in helping to cover the travel, lodging, and fee costs for our fighters, and in assisting in the growth of this great program. Your donations make it possible for our fighters to compete all along the East Coast and beyond. Thank you!

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