IN THE RING—Transformation through Boxing

When Chad Lesher ’94 saw a flyer on campus for the Shippensburg University Boxing Club, he thought joining might be a good way to stay in shape and get involved on campus.

“It sounds melodramatic when I discuss the impact the boxing club had on me, but it was transformational. It helped me develop discipline within myself and began the process of not being intimidated by a challenging situation,” said Lesher.

It was an entirely new experience for Lesher, but the Boxing Club wasn’t at all new to Ship at the time. The club was officially recognized in the 1970s by the university and the National Collegiate Boxing Association. But the sport of boxing, according to records in the University Archives, had been around at Ship since the 1920s.

Former Eastern Collegiate Boxing Association champion Rick Harpel ’80 said in a March 1980 press release from Shippensburg University that boxing gave him confidence and the right “mental attitude.”

Greg Grimm ’79, was a founding member of the Shippensburg University Boxing Club and the university’s first National Collegiate Boxing Association National Champion.

Grimm was in his first year of formal training when he took the 125-pound championship title, and much like Lesher, views the experience with the club as one that transformed his future.

“I got my first job out of college because of that championship,” shared Grimm. He said the line on his resume impressed his future employer so much that she offered him the job immediately.

Boxing didn’t land Lesher a job but the now president and owner of CSL Materials based in Dallas, Texas has carried many of the lessons from the ring into his career.

The road to starting his own business wasn’t an easy one. It came with long hours, lots of travel, and of course unexpected setbacks along the way. Lesher learned a lot about preparedness and determination in his days with the club, and the importance of getting back in the fight whenever he was knocked down.

“The sport of boxing combines strategy, endurance, and fortitude unlike anything I have ever experienced. Some fights put me on the brink of wanting to throw up, take a knee, or just not get up from the stool between rounds. But having those moments is what makes boxers such unique athletes because from bell to bell, any lapse in judgement or technique can have you laid-out. Defeat in collegiate boxing is so agonizing because of all that goes into those three rounds. But when you are able to get a victory, it drives you even more to go get another win next weekend,” explained Lesher.

The structure that it has created in my life will benefit me for the rest of my life. (Gavin Thomas)

Much like Lesher, the boxing club itself has had a bit of a transformational experience in recent years.

Like most contact sports, the COVID19 pandemic greatly impacted the club’s ability to recruit, practice, and compete. For several years, the club was limited to outdoor practices that consisted of conditioning, but no sparring or competition. Around this time the club’s long-time coach Travis Wylie moved on from coaching after volunteering a great deal of his time with the club members.

The club lost its membership with USA Boxing and the National Collegiate Boxing Association.

Dr. Matt Fetzer, professor of criminal justice, was the club’s faculty advisor at the time and when he tried to reestablish the club, he discovered a coach was required to return to membership.

“They suggested that I do it, so I completed my training, passed my exams, and earned my coaching certification for boxing,” explained Fetzer.

One of Fetzer’s first goals for the newly established club, beyond recruitment, was to improve the club’s practice facilities. For decades, boxing was housed in basement of Henderson Gym. Fetzer reached out to the Athletic Department looking to expand their space and they graciously offered some in Heiges Field House.

Two converted squash courts now serve as a ring room for sparing practices. A bag room holds several heavy bags, doubleended bag, a reflex bag, and some weight equipment.

“As soon as I got the club’s membership reestablished, I received several phone calls and e-mails from other coaches saying, ‘Welcome back Ship!’ Everyone was happy to hear the club was back and offered their support,” said Fetzer.

With a new location and a coach in place, the club is back on solid ground with 32 active members, including both male and female students.

“Some students have prior experience; others are new to the sport. Some are looking to workout. A handful have taken the big step and compete against students from other schools,” said Fetzer.

Those schools include Penn State, University of Connecticut, US Naval Academy, and US Military Academy.

“These students come from all different backgrounds and develop bonds and friendships from their shared experiences with the club. It’s great to see,” said Fetzer.

And just like the past members of the boxing club, students are finding the experience to be a transformational one.

Junior computer engineering major and Boxing Club vice president Gavin Thomas decided to join the club after attending a club fair on campus; much like Lesher, found it to be much more than just punching a heavy bag.

“Boxing has instilled a discipline like no other. The structure that it has created in my life will benefit me for the rest of my life,” said Thomas.

Fetzer, Thomas, and the club members have big goals, not only for themselves now, but for the future of the club.

“I have two major goals for the club. I would like to host a large-scale fundraising event and I would like to host a home show for other colleges to come to Ship and compete,” said Thomas.

“The goals of the club are to venture into overnight travel to make it to more competitions, and to once again host our home invitational at Ship. We’ll get there,” shared Fetzer.

Transformation is a never-ending process of change, and for the club itself and the members, it is a defining and long-lasting trait of the program that is ever present.