"Star Lord" Chris Pratt and UFC Champion Randy Couture headline U.S. Wrestling Foundation Gala in LA
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Actor Chris Pratt and the 2018 U.S. Freestyle World Team at the U.S. Wrestling Foundation Gala in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The 3rd Annual U.S. Wrestling Foundation Gala was a huge success at the LA Center Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday, August 23.
The 2018 U.S. Freestyle World Wrestling Team, who are the defending World Team champions, came up to the Gala from their training camp at Camp Pendleton, a nearby U.S. Marine Corps base. The team was accompanied by a group of active-service U.S. Marines and their families, who hosting for the U.S. wrestlers for their two-week training camp.
As part of the formal presentation, actor Chris Pratt and Beat the Streets Los Angeles founder Andy Barth presented the members of the 2018 World Freestyle Team with their own Topps cards, which depicted them in wrestling action. Pratt was a talented wrestler during high school.
Pratt was among a number of celebrities and wrestling dignitaries on hand, making it a fun and memorable evening. Proceeds will benefit Beat the Streets Los Angeles and the U.S. Wrestling Foundation programs to grow wrestling.
“It was another great night of for wrestling. It’s fantastic to see how our sport has deeply impacted so many. It’s true inspiration to see wrestling and the U.S. Marine Corps so connected. Wrestling has such a unique way of connecting all that have experienced its life long impact. Wrestling’s family mentality and culture of giving back was alive-and-well at the Gala in LA,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
Three-time UFC champion Randy Couture was the host and provided inspiring commentary that kicked off the program.
“This amazing event brought together so many wonderful individuals and organizations, all in effort to support our great sport and the young people we all serve. Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to the US Wrestling Foundation, BTSLA Board of Directors, USA Wrestling, the Marines, Randy Couture and all those who supported this Victory Tour celebration,” said Yero Washington, Executive Director of Beat the Streets Los Angeles.
The theme of the evening was "Do Hard Things." Superstars from Hollywood, UFC, the NFL, and our heroes from USMC and Team USA talked about how wrestling prepared them to overcome challenges and achieve success at the highest level.
Among the speakers at the Gala were Pratt, Barth, plus:
* Major Jared Reddinger of the United States Marine Corps, who spoke about the close connection between wrestling and the U.S. Marines.
* 1999 World wrestling champion, two-time NCAA champion and three-time NFL Super Bowl champion (with the New England Patriots) Stephen Neal, who spoke about being prepared for opportunities in life.
* 2012 Olympic champion and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs, a member of the 2018 World Team, who talked continuing to do the hard things in life, win or lose.
* BTSLA wrestler Jairo Rivera, who spoke about the opportunities Beat the Streets Los Angeles has provided to help him grow as a person. He was awarded a summer camp scholarship from BTSLA to attend the West Coast Wrestler - Mark Munoz Camp and was truly inspired by Joe Heskett’s personal story about perseverance.
* Jeff Waters, the President of the U.S Wrestling Foundation talked about outreach within wrestling.
* NCAA champion and past National Team member Dan Russell, who spoke about programs including Pin Cancer and Wrestling For Peace.
Actor, comedian and radio host Jay Mohr, himself a former wrestler, was there in person. An inspiring video created by Jay Mohr in 2013 to support the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement, when the sport fought to retain its Olympic status, was enjoyed by those at the Gala.
Two-time Olympic champion, three-time World champion and current USA Wrestling President Bruce Baumgartner was among the honored guests.
There was an auction held as part of the Gala, which included some exciting items. A highlight of the auction came when actor Frank Jasper, who played Shute in the 1985 major motion picture Vision Quest, carried in a famous “Shute Log” on his back. He was wearing the same shorts and socks from the movie. Couture purchased the Shute Log on the spot.
Another major item, a limited-edition Dave Schultz print by LeRoy Nieman, was also purchased at the auction.
Funds from the event support Beat the Streets Los Angeles and outreach programs of the USWF that increase participation, build audience and develop revenue streams to grow wrestling.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The 3rd Annual U.S. Wrestling Foundation Gala was a huge success at the LA Center Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday, August 23.
The 2018 U.S. Freestyle World Wrestling Team, who are the defending World Team champions, came up to the Gala from their training camp at Camp Pendleton, a nearby U.S. Marine Corps base. The team was accompanied by a group of active-service U.S. Marines and their families, who hosting for the U.S. wrestlers for their two-week training camp.
As part of the formal presentation, actor Chris Pratt and Beat the Streets Los Angeles founder Andy Barth presented the members of the 2018 World Freestyle Team with their own Topps cards, which depicted them in wrestling action. Pratt was a talented wrestler during high school.
Pratt was among a number of celebrities and wrestling dignitaries on hand, making it a fun and memorable evening. Proceeds will benefit Beat the Streets Los Angeles and the U.S. Wrestling Foundation programs to grow wrestling.
“It was another great night of for wrestling. It’s fantastic to see how our sport has deeply impacted so many. It’s true inspiration to see wrestling and the U.S. Marine Corps so connected. Wrestling has such a unique way of connecting all that have experienced its life long impact. Wrestling’s family mentality and culture of giving back was alive-and-well at the Gala in LA,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
Three-time UFC champion Randy Couture was the host and provided inspiring commentary that kicked off the program.
“This amazing event brought together so many wonderful individuals and organizations, all in effort to support our great sport and the young people we all serve. Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to the US Wrestling Foundation, BTSLA Board of Directors, USA Wrestling, the Marines, Randy Couture and all those who supported this Victory Tour celebration,” said Yero Washington, Executive Director of Beat the Streets Los Angeles.
The theme of the evening was "Do Hard Things." Superstars from Hollywood, UFC, the NFL, and our heroes from USMC and Team USA talked about how wrestling prepared them to overcome challenges and achieve success at the highest level.
Among the speakers at the Gala were Pratt, Barth, plus:
* Major Jared Reddinger of the United States Marine Corps, who spoke about the close connection between wrestling and the U.S. Marines.
* 1999 World wrestling champion, two-time NCAA champion and three-time NFL Super Bowl champion (with the New England Patriots) Stephen Neal, who spoke about being prepared for opportunities in life.
* 2012 Olympic champion and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs, a member of the 2018 World Team, who talked continuing to do the hard things in life, win or lose.
* BTSLA wrestler Jairo Rivera, who spoke about the opportunities Beat the Streets Los Angeles has provided to help him grow as a person. He was awarded a summer camp scholarship from BTSLA to attend the West Coast Wrestler - Mark Munoz Camp and was truly inspired by Joe Heskett’s personal story about perseverance.
* Jeff Waters, the President of the U.S Wrestling Foundation talked about outreach within wrestling.
* NCAA champion and past National Team member Dan Russell, who spoke about programs including Pin Cancer and Wrestling For Peace.
Actor, comedian and radio host Jay Mohr, himself a former wrestler, was there in person. An inspiring video created by Jay Mohr in 2013 to support the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement, when the sport fought to retain its Olympic status, was enjoyed by those at the Gala.
Two-time Olympic champion, three-time World champion and current USA Wrestling President Bruce Baumgartner was among the honored guests.
There was an auction held as part of the Gala, which included some exciting items. A highlight of the auction came when actor Frank Jasper, who played Shute in the 1985 major motion picture Vision Quest, carried in a famous “Shute Log” on his back. He was wearing the same shorts and socks from the movie. Couture purchased the Shute Log on the spot.
Another major item, a limited-edition Dave Schultz print by LeRoy Nieman, was also purchased at the auction.
Funds from the event support Beat the Streets Los Angeles and outreach programs of the USWF that increase participation, build audience and develop revenue streams to grow wrestling.
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