'You see these kids really thrive': Three Shields Boxing Academy filling gym with youths
The Three Shields Boxing Academy) started by chance.
It has now grown to become a joint effort between the Topeka Fire Department, Topeka Police Department and the Salvation Army to bring a new sport to youths in Topeka.
Three Shields Boxing Academy continued through the pandemic
When The Topeka Capital Journal last spoke to Rep. John Alcala, D-Topeka, about boxing in September 2021, TSBA was a little over a year old.
TSBA had continued through the pandemic by masking up and opening the doors to its "gym," a retrofitted garage located adjacent to the Salvation Army, 1320 S.E. 6th Ave. in Topeka.
When Alcala was in office as a city councilman, he was busy with that and an eight-hour day job.
But now, Alcala has the time.
TSBA has grown, with participation leading to the need for more classes for the kids at the casual and competitive levels. Alcala also selectively trains coaches, working with them to get certified, so they can begin coaching.
"We have classes every day and depending on your age and experience, make the determination if you're here at 5 or 6. We're out of here by 8:30," Alcala said. "With certification of the other coaches, it makes it a lot easier. We can rotate. Everybody's here every night, but we can rotate the kids so the kids get used to working with different coaches."
The youth boxing program is open for kids starting at the ages of eight and includes sessions, certified instruction, workout plans and equipment.
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Salvation Army was a perfect fit for TSBA
Alcala had a boxing program years ago but knew when he ran for public office, he wouldn't have the time for both.
"I said to my wife, 'When I retire, we'll start another boxing program,'" said Alcala. "One, it's a passion. I like it. But two, people don't realize how much of an impact this program has on kids.
"Programs cost a lot of money for families that have lots of siblings. The whole idea was to run a free program based off of sponsorships, so kids could come every night and all they had to pay was their time."
Alcala had found a potential place for his new program and was ready to negotiate moving in when he got a call from the Salvation Army about starting a program.
"There was no connection. It was just la vida, life," Alcala said.
Alcala was shown the main building at the Salvation Army, but there wasn't a space for them. While leaving, Alcala saw a garage that had been used as storage.
Alcala made a deal where the space would be cleaned out and Alcala would fill it with boxing equipment.
A week and a half later, it was ready — faster than Alcala expected. He got in touch with friends at the Kansas City Golden Gloves, who gave him $10,000.
Since then, TSBA has added more equipment, a bigger boxing ring and even an old TV from the police department. The TV is used during pay-per-view fight nights with registered kids and their parents. It's a monthly get together of camaraderie and watching the best of the best.
Darren Campbell, a school resource officer for the Topeka Police Department at French Middle School, is involved with the Police Athletic League. He started with TSBA about nine months ago.
From stopping by a few times a week to now being there four or five days a week to help out as a coach, Campbell says the program is about building relationships with the kids in the community.
"I knew that football and basketball were all popular, but I really had no idea how big this boxing program was," said Campbell. "John has taken me under his wing, and he's taught me a lot about boxing. I learn something new every day."
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The impact of TSBA
James Garcia and 12-year-old Peyton Sewell, have been coming to TSBA for a little over a year now. Garcia coaches, and Sewell boxes.
Garcia heard about TSBA from his co-workers and brought Sewell soon after.
"(Peyton) seemed to really get involved with it and enjoy it," said Garcia. "You see these kids really thrive and they get to see for themselves what they're made of and it really helps them grow on an individual level.
"Boxing is a big part of it, but this gym, it's really become part of our family. John, the other coaches and all the kids, we've really grown to support each other."
Peyton said boxing was supposed to be something he would do a couple times a month. But he's now 4-0 after competing at the 88th annual Kansas City Golden Gloves regional boxing championships over the weekend.
"I didn't know I was going to start competing and coming every day, " Sewell said. "It was a lot different (at first) than it is now. It was kind of boring the first couple of practices because I just learned the basics. I wanted to jump in there and learn all the cool things."
Garcia had no background in boxing beyond watching the sport growing up. He has seen the impact it has had on his son and others in the time he's been with TSBA.
"It's so good to see them knowing nothing about boxing and watch them develop and see them grow and see their skills," said Garcia. "Grow and see the confidence. They get in there for their first fight, and they leave it all out in the ring — and win or lose, 90% of the time, they've got this big smile on their face.
"They get out there ... give it their all, and you see you see it in their eyes and you know how much passion they have for it."
To learn more about TSBA, reach out to the Salvation Army in Topeka at 785-233-9648.
Tips or story ideas? Contact Seth Kinker at skinker@gannett.com or DM him on Twitter @SethKinker.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Three Shields Boxing Academy provides opportunities for kids in Topeka
