2022 Q1 Newsletter
Thank you to those of you who have been with us since our relaunch in January 2021 and to those of you who have joined us over the course of the past 16 months. The last four months have been as action-packed as the latter part of the wrestling season. This year we will be continuing to look for ways to connect the network at events throughout the Philadelphia region. After the busy winter, we will have a short pause before resuming in June, but we are actively working on our event schedule for the second half of the year.
In addition to scheduling events, we are investigating other ways to more directly connect our members through an app or online platform to facilitate their business, personnel, or career needs. In the next month, graduating seniors will be beginning their careers after leaving the mat. Several have used the network to meet potential employers or leaders in their chosen industries. We are committed to creating new opportunities for everyone in the WIBN Philadelphia. Our support and impact in the local wrestling community and with our partners, such as Beat the Streets, the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Ursinus College, Delaware Valley University and the PRTC, will continue, but we are putting our emphasis for the remainder of 2022 on the following:
● Supporting members looking for business within the network. Whether you work in the trades, finance, insurance, or sales, supporting each other will allow all of us to grow professionally.
● Supporting your personnel needs within the network. If you have open positions, we want to continue to build into a hiring hub to connect you with qualified candidates.
● Supporting your career move. Whether it is your first job out of school, your next career step, or a switch in industries, the network has individuals seeking professionals who aspire to grow professionally.
If you fall into one of these three categories, please reach out and our board will assist in utilizing the network and our events to your benefit.
-Jake Hunter
WIBN Philadelphia Chair
Membership Committee Updates
In April we announced our 2nd Annual Scholarship Program.The scholarship will be awarded to two high school student athletes - one male and one female - who represent the very best of academic, community, and athletic achievement. The board will be looking for wrestlers who participate in activities outside of wrestling, are inspiring leaders, and demonstrate excellence in character. We are excited to once again offer a scholarship of $1000.00 per athlete to be used for their post high school education. Applications will be accepted through May 31st, and the winners will be announced on June 30th. Please share the scholarship application with anyone you know that is eligible.
Ursinus College announced this month the launch of a women’s wrestling program for the 2022-23 season. A search for Head Coach is under way, and Ursinus announced a fundraising campaign to support the program’s first two seasons. WIBN Philadelphia will be donating to the launch, and Coach Joe Jamison, a WIBN Philadelphia member, will be attending future events to gather support and connect with long-time and new supporters of the program’s. If you would like to donate to support the program’s launch, click here for more information.
WIBN Member Spotlight
We are excited to feature Gene Pak as our Member Spotlight. Gene discovered WIBN Philly through a former Penn Charter wrestling teammate. Gene began wrestling for William Allen Middle School in Moorestown, NJ, in 2004. He attended the William Penn Charter School, located in Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood, for high school. Gene was awarded the team MVP his junior season thanks in part to his signature ”cement mixer, a technique passed down from his older brother.
Currently, Gene is the Director of Operations at Accel Academy, a private learning center established in1988. Accel has been consistently rated one of the top SAT Prep Centers in the tri-state area over the last 30 years. Gene is currently hiring teachers and tutors across various subjects; Accel is also seeking a Social Media Intern/Administrative Intern for the summer. If you are interested in a position or seeking summer tutoring, reach out to their office directly at (215) 635-5780| info@accelacademy.com. Mention you are a WIBN Member for a discount.
WIBN Networking Spotlight
This will be a continuing section of our newsletter going forward. We will focus on a career or business opportunity or connection made through the WIBN Network.
Penn Coaches at the NCAA Tournament: From left to right: Roger Reina, Bryan Pearsall, Kevin McGuigan, B.J. Futrell
When I joined WIBN-Philly in the fall of 2020, I was excited to help the chapter get back up and running. I had created a social media platform called Philly Wrestling which was designed to highlight the local wrestling community. Through Twitter and Instagram, I gained a following. My focus was on the PRTC, Penn, Drexel, Beat the Streets, Ursinus, and WIBN.
At the time, I was working in construction as a supervisor. Over the last few decades, I have supervised several large and intricate mechanical construction projects in the Philadelphia region. Philly Wrestling was a hobby for me. I like to write and interact with wrestling people. Before my extended career in construction, I had coached at George Mason University, Washington Township High School, Upper Darby High School. I also created Patriot Wrestling Club in South Jersey and coached at Sunkist Kids. I worked with Roger Reina while coaching at the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club when he ran it out of Penn.
While on the Events Committee, I was involved with planning Summit 1 which featured PRTC, Drexel, and Penn athletes. I reconnected with Roger Reina and met PRTC Executive Director Brandon Slay while planning the event. I also connected with Jim Mangan who is the Executive Director of Beat the Streets Philly.
After Summit 1, Coach Reina presented me with an opportunity to become his Director of Operations for Penn Wrestling. It was a part time job, so I was able to do it. Shortly thereafter, Coach Slay presented me with an opportunity to become his Director of Operations for the PRTC. Then, James Mangan presented me with an opportunity to become his Grants Coordinator for Beat the Streets Philly. I'm currently working in all three of these positions while I have stepped away from the construction industry.
Being a member of WIBN Philly has been instrumental in opening up opportunities that I may have never realized existed.
-Kevin McGuian
Our mission is to support all of our members for their personal and professional benefit. If WIBN has helped create an opportunity or connection for you, we would love to spotlight you in future communications. Email Jake at jthunter600@gmail.com
WIBN Apparel
If you are looking to purchase WIBN-branded apparel, check out our store here.
Events Committee Update
The Events Committee planned and coordinated several activities since the beginning of 2022. WIBN hosted its first social in Bucks County on January 20th at the Middletown Country Club. Thank you, Robert Hill and family, for your support in hosting us and sponsoring the event. Brad Silimperi, Head Coach of Council Rock South, assisted in inviting the local wrestling community to join us for the evening. In addition to supporting the event, he invited WIBN to sponsor and attend Escape the Rock, one of the toughest high school wrestling tournaments in Pennsylvania. In turn, the board of Escape the Rock donated a portion of the funds they raised to WIBN Philadelphia to continue our mission.
The partnership between WIBN and the PRTC continued with Summit 3 in February. The event featured competition between senior level wrestlers from around the world. The main focus of the evening was on the matches, and WIBN members had the exclusive opportunity to attend and watch the event in person. As always, Kevin McGuigan and Mike Medrow put together a well-planned event sponsored by K-Force through WIBN member Matt Reitter.
WIBN Philadelphia worked with Drexel University Head Wrestling Coach Matt Azevedo in hosting an event at the Drexel v. Rider Dual in February. The event successfully connected WIBN Members with Drexel alumni and supported the program in their 23-17 victory over Rider. Anthony Mininno, WIBN student-ambassador, secured the victory with a late takedown and fall in the last bout of the night at 133 pounds. After the match, WIBN met and spoke to Drexel alumni at Landmark Americana Tap & Grill.
With 11 NCAA qualifiers from Penn and Drexel for the Division 1 NCAA tournament, we joined Beat the Streets Philadelphia at Yard’s Brewery to watch the semifinal matches at their annual Coaches Appreciation Night on March 18th. WIBN and BTS have sought to strengthen their partnership, not only locally but as national organizations. This summer, WIBN National is sponsoring the costs of 100 BTS coaches, from throughout the country, in attending the NWCA Convention in Ponte Vedra, Fl, in July. The goal is to help them learn from the best coaches and leaders in the wrestling community to improve their abilities to impact wrestlers in their BTS Chapters.
WIBN Philadelphia was happy to sponsor and support the ICWL Open Championship this year. ICWL is the largest youth wrestling league in the country, with 48 clubs and over 3,600 wrestlers. Michael Nichter, our Membership Committee co-chair, is the President of the ICWL and Michael Medrow, our Events Chair, is also on the ICWL board. The ICWL Championships were graciously hosted at Ursinus College, thanks to a WIBN connection made by Nichter and Medrow with Joe Jamison, the Ursinus Men’s Head Coach.
Brandon Slay and Joey McKenna of the PRTC attended the event and met with parents, wrestlers, and coaches to share their passion and knowledge of the sport. One of the PRTC’s core values is service. Under Slay’s guidance, the PRTC will continue to support and connect with the wider Philadelphia's wrestling community.
Our next event will take place at Tavistock Country Club, NJ, on June 22nd from 5:30pm to 8pm. Surety Title Company and Stanton Insurance Group will be sponsoring the event. Events like these are only possible with the support of members and businesses that support our events. We look forward to connecting with current members and growing the network in South Jersey. More information to register and attend will follow.
Event planning for the rest of 2022 is still under way, but here is a snapshot of expected activities.
July:
● Phillies Game Outing
● NWCA/WIBN Convention, Ponte Vedra, FL
September:
● Local Networking Social, Montgomery County, PA
October:
● Local Networking Social: Location TBD
November:
● Keystone Classic Networking Event
● World Cup Watch Party
December:
● College Wrestling Match and Social (Penn/Drexel)
If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring a WIBN Philadelphia event please reach out to our events Committee Chair Mike Medrow mmedrow@comcast.net (Phone: 610-805-8727)
WIBN Sponsorship Opportunities
WIBN would like to thank the sponsors who supported our efforts throughout our re-launch year. Our ability to fund our events and serve our community is made possible by the generous support of individual members and businesses who champion our mission. This fall we will begin highlighting success stories created via our business networking and sponsorships, so keep an eye out for them!
We are eager to hear from anyone who wishes to support the chapter in any fashion, be it through sponsorship, a donation, or an act of service. Event and General Sponsorship packages are available. Please contact Brett Canna brett_canna@yahoo.com for details.
WIBN Sponsors in 2022
