Vito Clotter - Youth Pastor Emmanuel Church

On Saturday April 22, 2017 I had the opportunity to take a few of my YLE members to train with TeamGoGetIt. TeamGoGetIt is a boxing team that is coached by Richard Jenkins Sr. and Richard Jenkins Jr. Combined that have over 65 years of boxing training experience and have improved the lives of the youth in community by teaching them the discipline associated with this great sport. Richard Jr. is also a proud member of the Frontliners men’s ministry and was an essential component to my spiritual growth. Without Rich I wouldn’t be a minister today!

As we entered he gym we were introduced to the Rob Ellis, a boxer/trainer and also a mathematician with a PhD in mathematics. Rob welcomed us and taught us the basics of boxing movements and gave us an awesome tour of the gym. Rob also tutors fighters in math when they need help, which is an incredible addition to all the great things TeamGoGetIt does. 

We were given complimentary handwraps and were taught how to wrap our hands. We then were able to see some of their premiere boxers and train with them. We watched and were amazed by the mit work done Desmond Lucas who is an amateur champion. We were also impressed by a young fourteen-year-old named Danny who not only trained with us but also helped train some of the teens that we brought. We were also impressed by Nissa Rodriguez who is a eight time Golden Gloves champion. What made her appearance special was the fact that she had a fight the night before but still came in and personally trained the young ladies in our group. She is also a nutritionist and schoolteacher who cares about everyone she comes in contact.

My kids loved their experience! Rich Jr and Rich Sr. displayed their boxing wisdom in a palatable way, which allowed everyone to feel encouraged as they went through the drills. All of my kids were excited and challenged. It took us two hours to get to the Bronx but after the great experience they continued to ask when we would be able to go again.

TeamGoGetIt is changing lives in their community. With this diverse, talented, and dedicated group, lives can be changed for the better. I know my kids were. I’m excited about all the great things God will do through this program and of all the great champions who will blessed by it inside the ring and out the ring.

I would like to personally thank the staff of TeamGoGetIt! You guys are awesome!