CHICAGO, Ill. (December 02, 2011) - As the 2011/12 elementary and high school wrestling season kicks-off, Beat the Streets – Chicago (BTS-Chicago) and World Sport Chicago (WSC) announce a newly formed collaboration dedicated to growing the sport of wrestling in the city of Chicago. 

Together, the groups will seek to support 14 new or developing elementary wrestling programs in the effort’s first year.  The collaboration will see wrestling mats placed at each school and give grants for equipment, coaching education and competition bussing. In addition, athletes and coaches at the 14 supported schools will be given financial support in purchasing 2011/12 insurance and membership cards from USA Wrestling, the sport’s National Governing Body. 

After joining in support of the 2011 World Sport Chicago Wrestling Festival, BTS-Chicago and WSC realized their individual efforts could be made more successful if the groups came together to address common goals. “By combining our resources, we will be able to have a greater, more meaningful impact on Chicago youth wrestling. Together, with BTS, we hope to provide greater energy to the Chicago Public School’s Public League elementary wrestling programs, creating more opportunities for youth to get involved and adding additional chances for competition,” said Scott Myers, executive director of WSC.

Brian Giffin, president of BTS-Chicago agrees, “Beat the Streets - Chicago is ecstatic to have a partnership with World Sport Chicago. Our unified effort will provide a substantial and immediate impact on the lives of numerous Chicago Public student athletes. Wrestling is a proven tool for enhancing students’ long term academic performance and lessons in life. The partnership between BTS and WSC will provide much needed logistical support as well as funding for equipment.” 

About Beat the Streets – Chicago

The Beat the Streets Youth Wrestling Program, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and has helped hundreds of Chicago’s youth for over 11 years to build character, discipline and self-esteem. For more information about Beat the Streets - Chicago, visit http://www.btschicago.org.
Contact: Beat the Streets-Chicago, info@btschicago.org

About World Sport Chicago

World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not‐for‐profit working to apply sport to promote social development in at-risk and under-served Chicago communities. As the legacy organization of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Sport Chicago works to support established community-based organizations to expand existing sport programs and to increase access to new programming. Patrick G. Ryan is chairman of the board; William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, serves as president; and Scott Myers serves as executive director. For more information about World Sport Chicago, visit http://www.worldsportchicago.org. 

Contact: World Sport Chicago, (312) 861-4850, media@worldsportchicago.org