Brendan Buckley announces departure as Beat the Streets Executive Director

Beat the Streets to name a new Executive Director in the coming days.

Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. (BTS), a nonprofit dedicated to making a lifelong impact on New York City boys and girls through the sport of wrestling, today announced the departure of Brendan Buckley as Executive Director. Buckley concludes a nine-year tenure, highlighted by unprecedented program growth, innovative leadership and empowering thousands of NYC student-athletes.

Buckley will transition to a new chapter as Executive Director of Trenton Youth Wrestling in New Jersey, while also launching a fundraising consultancy business.

During Buckley’s leadership, BTS raised more than $15 million through strategic fundraising campaigns and high-profile events. The organization’s flagship fundraiser, the BTS Annual Benefit, raised more than $1 million annually at iconic NYC venues such as Times Square, Pier 17 and The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In 2020, Buckley guided BTS through the COVID-19 pandemic. He transitioned BTS programs from in-person to virtual, ensuring continued engagement and support for NYC youth through remote wrestling drills, mental and social wellness, cooking classes and socially distanced walks and bicycle rides. The 2020 BTS Annual Benefit adapted to the times with a telethon and wrestling event along the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey.

As COVID-19 health protocols lifted in 2021, Buckley spearheaded BTS student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters coming together to participate in a 5K Spartan Race that raised more than $80,000 to support the BTS organization.

In 2022, Buckley evolved the Annual Benefit through a partnership with USA Wrestling to host Final X, a competition to determine Team USA athletes for the Senior United World Wrestling Championships. The event increased attendance, media attention and financial support for BTS. The 2023 Final X set records with $1.3 million raised and more than 8,000 fans at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

NYC wrestling reached new heights under Buckley’s leadership with three boys high school state champions, and multiple All-Americans at Prep Nationals and U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals. The on-the-mat success was highlighted by Alessandra Elliott claiming a U16 national title and Oumar Tounkara winning two NHSCA championships. Several NYC men and women also continued their wrestling careers at the collegiate level, including at NCAA Division I programs: Binghamton, Columbia, Cornell, Drexel, LIU, Penn and Princeton. NYC has been well-represented with All-America honors in women’s wrestling and at the NCAA Division III level, led by Destane Garrick winning a WCWA title at McKendree.

In 2019, Buckley led the charge to implement the BTS Academy program, which aims to prepare student-athletes for success on and off the mat. This year-round program enabled BTS to have a larger impact with off-the-mat sessions focused on life skills, academic success and an annual career day with networking opportunities for student-athletes.

One of Buckley’s most lasting contributions was securing a permanent location for BTS in 2024. The 7,300-square-foot Beat the Streets Training Center, located two blocks from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, serves as the hub for BTS programming and administrative operations. Thanks to this dedicated facility, the organization has expanded, now serving nearly 2,500 registered student-athletes, including a record-breaking 500-plus girls, across all five NYC boroughs.

Prior to his time at BTS, Buckley served as an NCAA Division I head wrestling coach at Cal Poly (2011-2016) and Columbia University (2000-2011), and assistant coach at Virginia (1998-2000) and UC Davis (1997-1998). Buckley was a two-time NCAA qualifier during his five-year career between Clemson (1992-95) and Fresno State (1995-97), earning All-America honors with a seventh-place finish for the Bulldogs.

The BTS Board of Directors has conducted an extensive national search for the organization’s next Executive Director and will announce the new hire soon.

Brendan Buckley

It’s hard to put into words how much this organization has meant to me. I have been humbled by the mission, inspired by the New York City boys and girls at the heart of it, and proud of the progress we’ve made together – on the wrestling mat, in the classroom and in life.

I want to thank the BTS Board of Directors, Leadership Council, dedicated staff (past and present), and the incredible network of wrestling coaches – both within BTS and across Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) - who make this work possible. I am also deeply grateful to BTS partners and supporters: Briggs Services, Cliff Keen, FloWrestling, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Madison Square Garden, Prudential Center, PSAL, UFC, UPS, USA Wrestling and Varonis, and the many donors whose generosity has fueled this mission. Most of all, thank you to the student-athletes – you've been the reason for it all.

A special note of thanks to Mike Novogratz and Kyra Barry for entrusting me with this opportunity, and to Ray Barczak, Dave Heidecorn, and Jamie Brodsky for their leadership. I leave with immense gratitude, countless lessons, and lifelong memories. Wrestling will always be the best teacher for the game of life, and I’ll be cheering on BTS as it continues to stand tall and carry its mission forward.

Jamie Brodsky, Beat the Streets Chairman

This is the end of a fantastic era for BTS and the New York City youth wrestling community. Brendan’s leadership, passion, love of wrestling and most importantly the kids, has helped solidify the legacy and set the stage for the future of BTS. It has been a pleasure to work with Brendan, without whom our Academy program and success with Final X would be hard to imagine. While he will be sorely missed, we know his next venture will continue to build on his body of work, helping to mold the next generation of leaders through the great sport of wrestling. On behalf of myself, and all past and present BTS Board members, we wish Brendan nothing but success and thank him for his tremendous contribution to BTS.

Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director

Brendan has been and will continue to be a great leader within the sport of wrestling. His passion and work ethic has led to some great advancements within the Beat the Streets New York program. Brendan has especially been critical in strengthening the relationship between Beat the Streets New York and USA Wrestling for the benefit of all of wrestling.

Mike Moyer, National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Director

Brendan has done a masterful job in his role leading Beat the Streets NY. It has been a privilege to serve the wrestling community alongside him.  I want to wish him the best in his new role with Trenton Youth Wrestling.