Why a Facility? More Like "Who"

You've met Monica and Mikhel.  Soon you'll get to know Kaila, Mikekal and Coach Mike Boyd.

In our six-part year-end video series, you are meeting some of the people behind our "why." For us, the answer to why we need a facility is so clear once you know for whom we are building it.

Each of the Champions we are highlighting are unique, but they share similar ambitions. These are special people and they deserve the same opportunities their suburban counterparts enjoy. They want to put in the work, they want to build themselves, on and off the mat. So we are providing them a place where their ambitions will know no limits. It’s happening in late January - early February. 

As an organization, we strive to embody the spirit of the budding Life Champions mentioned above. They are the reason we are thriving despite very unique circumstances. Their passion and drive fuels everything we do. With our kids at the forefront, our team set a vision to build a world class youth development center. A place where anyone with a good attitude and an appetite for work, despite social, economic, or geographic circumstances, can call home - THE FIRST EVER BTS STAND ALONE WRESTLING FACILITY. 

We have not let Covid slow us down. Our focus is not on the pandemic but our reaction to the pandemic. Cathy Yen stepped up. Our board stepped up. Our Capital Campaign committee stepped up. Our coaches stepped up. Our student-athletes fought like only wrestlers can. And here we are, positioned to come out of this unprecedented time with a world class facility run by master leaders, mentors and coaches (Yes, we hired three incredible people during a world-wide crisis!). 

The end and aftermath of the pandemic will be extremely difficult in Chicago. Particularly for many of BTS families. We will continue to work with our kids in mind. We will focus on the controllables. We embrace our community and feed from their unbreakable spirits. 

BTS Chicago is guided by our core values; Accountability, Gratitude, Grit, Integrity, and Excellence. One of these stands out now more than the others - Gratitude. I am so grateful for our BTS Family, the wrestling community, and all those who have rallied to support our mission. We hope you will continue to bet on our kids, our community, our team. Thank you!!!!

Help us keep this going.  Your contribution to Beat the Streets Chicago funds not only this critical facility but the life-changing programs we can offer there. Give at btschicago.org/donate

###