Of Mats And Men Spartans Wrestling Club Teaches Fundamentals Of Life

It looks like just another youth wrestling camp. But there’s more than grappling techniques being taught here.

Sure, there are 85 kids scurrying around on mats in the gym at the West Central Community Center.

And yes, many of the camp’s coaches are former wrestlers who want to pass on their knowledge and expertise to the kids.

But here, wrestling is used as a vehicle to get these boys to become responsible men.

“We ask them, ‘What does it mean to be honest?’ ” said Curt Kimball, one of 10 coaches for the Spokane Spartans wrestling club.

“Respect. How do you show it?

“Humility. Do you just display it in defeat and not victory?

“Toughness. Is it something that’s just displayed physically and not practiced when things don’t go the way you’d like?,” Kimball said.

The coaches talk with the boys about these matters as they relate to life and wrestling, after every 1-1/2 hour practice session which are held Mondays and Thursdays.

Then they pray.

“The program is built on the Bible,” Kimball said.

Most of the coaches are members of the Faith Bible Church, which also contributes to the program.

“We’re up-front with the parents about that,” Kimball said. “So far we’ve had positive support.”

And overwhelming response. The club quadrupled in size since it started last year.

And right now, the Spartans are being up-front with the community that they need more money.

It took $1,000 to run the program last year with 20 wrestlers. This year, Harris and his coaches have tried to spread $1,800 among 85 athletes. Most of the money has been donated from the community.

Club membership was held to $10, which has made it difficult for organizers to come close to the $6,000-plus they need to run the program.

The Ronald McDonald House recently donated a full-size wrestling mat, and the community center has a mat on loan from Fairchild Air Force Base.

However, most of the kids’ parents can’t afford singlets - the wrestler’s one-piece uniform - head gear or shoes. Most of the kids improvise with T-shirts, shorts and basketball or jogging sneakers.

Practices started last month, and every Saturday in March the Spartans will hit the road to compete in tournaments. They rely on parents and other neighborhood volunteers for transportation.

Transportation costs alone this year will probably hit $2,000.

“Let’s face it. We’re not the wealthiest neighborhood,” said Bert Swanson, who watches his 9-year-old son Doug practice every week. “This gets the kids out and it (positively) occupies their time.”

Anna Rapp also escorts her kids, Eric Sommerfeld, 14, and Kyle Rapp, 9, to practice every week.

“I try to get them involved in as many sports as possible,” Rapp said. “But I really like this program. They (the coaches) talk to them about being respectable and responsible. As a parent you always love to hear that.”

Sommerfeld put it in kid-speak: “It’s better than sitting around with nothing to do.”

Most everyone involved with the Spartans gives credit for its success to Dave Willis, who started the program a year ago.

Willis, who is stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, is currently on assignment in Turkey. But it was Willis who gave the program its focus.

“He has taught them patriotism; has them thinking about the nation and what it means to be an American,” Swanson said.

Added Rick Harris, WCCC’s recreation and facility manager, “A lot of these kids are high risk. Programs like this decide a kid’s future. It can give them focus, something to look forward to, self discipline and respect.”

Swanson believes an individual sport like wrestling can teach a youngster more about the importance of being self sufficient.

“Any sport can build self esteem, confidence, being wanted and needed,” Swanson said. “But the one-on-one nature of wrestling changes the aspect of it. There’s no relying on the next person. You’re here by yourself.”

Let the adults talk about their sons’ development into men. For now, the kids have their own reasons for participating.

Kimball’s boys, Paul, 14, and Kevin, 13, are in it just for the fun of it.

And Sommerfeld said he was referred to the Spartans by one of his friends at Glover Middle School.

“I really wanted to learn more about wrestling,” he said. “It’s really fun. You have to really work hard. If you don’t, you get beat.”

Kimball said he loves every minute of his time with the kids.

“They’re at that age where they still listen,” he said. “They want to learn, but they also just want to have fun. They’re just having a good time.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 4 Color Photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SPARTAN SUPPORT Anyone interested in sending a donation to the Spokane Spartans wrestling club should send it to the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt, Spokane, WA 99205. Or call Rick Harris at 326-9540 for more information.