Bob Seidel named new Executive Director of Beat the Streets New York

Seidel spent the previous three years as Director of Programming.

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 appointment of Bob Seidel as its new Executive Director. Seidel, who previously served as the organization’s Director of Programming for three years, steps into this leadership role following Brendan Buckley’s departure.

Seidel’s strategic leadership has significantly expanded the scope and impact of BTS programming for K-12 boys and girls from all five NYC boroughs. During his tenure, student-athlete engagement has grown from more than 700 to nearly 2,500 registrants annually. The BTS Junior League, NYC’s only elementary and middle school wrestling league, has also seen steady annual growth in participation during the past three years.

Under Seidel’s direction, the BTSNY Academy, a holistic development-focused program, has experienced remarkable growth, with participation rising by more than 400 percent. The Academy prepares student-athletes for success both on and off the wrestling mat by providing student-athletes by combining world-class wrestling instruction with year-round social-emotional development, life skills workshops, and college and career planning.  Participants benefit from instruction by Olympic and NCAA champions, as well as nationally recognized experts across multiple fields.

Before BTS, Seidel spent 15 years as a high school social studies teacher and head coach, building programs in New Jersey, Hawaii and most recently in Maryland. At St. Mary’s Ryken in Maryland, he led the wrestling team to a fifth-place finish at Prep Nationals and was named The Washington Post’s High School Wrestling Coach of the Year. In addition to wrestling, he also coached boys’ and girls’ tennis in New Jersey and judo in Hawaii.

As a student-athlete, Seidel excelled academically and athletically. He was a 2003 NCAA Division I qualifier and ACC champion and was recognized as the ACC Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete for all sports. He was a four-year starter on the wrestling team at the University of Virginia, where he earned both an M.Ed. in Social Foundations of Education and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs.

At the high school level, Seidel was a three-time New Jersey state place-winner for Wall High School, a two-time freestyle and Greco-Roman state champion and a Greco-Roman All-American at USA Wrestling’s Junior National Championships.

Bob Seidel, Beat the Streets Executive Director

I am honored and excited to serve as the Executive Director of Beat the Streets – an organization that has positively impacted thousands of lives throughout the years. I look forward to working with our engaged and passionate Board of Directors, dedicated staff, inspiring student-athletes, and loyal supporters to carry forward the mission shaped by trailblazers like Al Bevilacqua, Mike Novogratz, Kyra and Dave Barry, Rich Tavoso, and many others.

As someone who has dedicated my career to helping student-athletes from all backgrounds succeed – on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, and in their future endeavors – I can think of no better place to continue that mission than right here at Beat the Streets!

Jamie Brodsky, Beat the Streets Chairman

And so, begins the next chapter of leadership at Beat the Streets under the auspices of a homegrown star. We couldn’t be more excited to name Bob Seidel as the new Executive Director. His ascension from Director of Programming into the role of Executive Director was incredibly well deserved. Behind the scenes, Bob has been the engine of the organization for the last few years crafting the wrestling/life curriculum, scheduling, mentoring, and driving our overall impact. He has been the conduit to our BTS kids and curator for their experience.

There is no better person to take the helm, with his stellar academic and wrestling background, his genuinely affable nature, incredible work ethic, and love for what BTS is trying to accomplish. We couldn’t be happier for Bob, or more excited for the strides we anticipate the organization will make under his leadership.