Story on Deontay's 1st fight
Wilder wins pro debut
Heavyweight Deontay Wilder (1-0, 1 KO), a 2008 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist in Beijing and the only American to take home a boxing medal, made his professional debut with a second-round knockout of Ethen Cox (2-3-1, 1 KO).
After a cautious first round, Wilder, who is 6-foot-7 and stepped over the top rope to enter and exit the ring, turned it up in the second. He dropped Cox with a right hand, then forced the referee to give him a standing eight count. Moments later, he knocked Cox down again with a hard overhand right, forcing the fight to be called off without a count.
"I feel good, but I'm disappointed in a way because there are a lot of things I didn't take advantage of, all the openings he gave me," Wilder said. "He was throwing a slow jab and I need to work better against that. I expect the best from myself, so even though it was a good knockout, I know I could do better. I want to be a world champion, and to be that you have to take being good to being great."
Even though Wilder, a 23-year-old from Tuscaloosa, Ala., was a bit hard on himself, he beamed smile after the fight and said it was great "getting a taste of the water" as a professional.
"Everything was good. I just want to work on the little things," said Wilder, who weighed 207 pounds and is signed with Golden Boy Promotions and manager Shelly Finkel. "No head gear, smaller gloves and no [amateur] scoring system, it's everything I wanted."
Also on Wilder's team: co-manager and trainer Jay Deas and trainer Mark Breland, a former world champion and decorated amateur.
Next Fight
12/25/2008 12:08:03 AM
Daily Journal
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS - Olympic bronze medalist, Deontay Wilder — the only American boxer to medal in the 2008 Beijing games — is planning for a fight in Columbus.
After listening to a presentation from boxing promoter and martial arts instructor Oliver Miller on Monday night, the board of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau approved giving Miller a $10,000 grant to fund an event featuring Wilder at the Trotter Convention Center on March 6.
Wilder, who lives in Tuscaloosa, Ala., has had one professional fight, which he won by knockout.
Wilder is trying to build a name for himself, and to do so he needs to fight in states with a nationally recognized boxing commission.
Alabama currently does not have a boxing commission, but Mississippi does, leading Miller and Wilder's promoters to Columbus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 11th, 2008
CONTACT:
Don Staley, Executive Director
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Office: 205.394.0700
FAX: 205.750.2765
TuscaloosaSportsFoundation@gmail.com
Shelton State, Tuscaloosa City and County Schools Form Partnership with Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
TUSCALOOSA, AL. – Shelton State President Dr. Mark Heinrich, Tuscaloosa City School Superintendent Dr. Joyce Levey and Tuscaloosa County Superintendent Dr. Frank Costanza announced this week that an agreement has been reached with the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation for facility use agreements to begin immediately.
“Shelton State is pleased to partner with the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation by providing facilities to help bring high profile events to our community, which in turn exposes the outstanding educational opportunities and our beautiful campus to potential students” said Dr. Mark Heinrich. “What the sports foundation has accomplished in a short time indicates continued success and we see this agreement as a benefit for Shelton State Community College, the Sports Foundation and our community”
The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation was funded by The City of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County Commission, and City of Northport and officially began operation in June 2008. The purpose of the foundation is to organize, administer and develop sporting events which will
generate revenue for the local economy. Potential events could include regional, national, international, amateur and professional sports competitions, as well as Alabama State High School Championships in various sports.
Tuscaloosa County Superintendent Dr. Frank Costanza, said in a written statement “Be assured that we will be happy to cooperate with the TSF within the boundaries of our policy and the availability of our facilities” while Dr. Joyce Levey, Tuscaloosa City School Superintendent echoed the same sentiments by saying “The City School System is onboard per our policies and availability so let us know how we can support the goals and objectives of the TSF”
Since June the TSF has actively associated with more than seven different sporting events seeking Tuscaloosa as its sports destination and has worked with organizers to help generate close to one million dollars to the local economy. Future events include two major soccer tournaments, state gymnastics meet, college rugby tournament and softball tournament which are expected to bring more than 4,200 participants and fans to the area.
“This agreement along with The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority only enhances our ability to attract future sporting events to our community and we appreciate those organizations that have joined hands with the TSF and believe in our vision” said Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation Executive Director Don Staley.
For more information on the TSF go to tuscaloosasportsfoundation.org or contact Don Staley, executive director at dstaley3@aol.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10th, 2008
CONTACT:
Don Staley, Executive Director
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Office: 205.394.0700
FAX: 205.750.2765
TuscaloosaSportsFoundation@gmail.com
The University of Alabama and Student Recreation Department is teaming up with the Tuscaloosa’s Sports Foundation to host the Rugby South Collegiate Championship for the second straight year.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to be involved with UA rugby. Their strong alumni support and new leadership is just a glimpse of what’s to come in the future of our university’s rugby program,” Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation’s Executive Director, Don Staley said.
Starting on March 27th, the south’s finest rugby teams will compete for the outright title of Rugby South Collegiate Champion. The tournament will consist of 16 teams; 8 men’s and 8 women’s. The Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation anticipates approximately 450 players and several more in attendance.
“We are very fortunate to have such great facilities and staff to hold the tournament for a second straight year. We hope the success of the tournament will enhance our opportunities to hold bigger tournaments in the future, such as the National Championship,” Tournament Director, Russell Bush said.
The University of Alabama’s rugby team has long been a staple and respected member to the university’s recreational program. They have run several successful tournaments in the past, and hope to continue their success in March.
The tournament will be held on the University’s recreational fields the weekend of March 27th, and will crown a new champion on March 29th. The winning teams will advance to the overall Rugby National Championship held later in the year.
For more information concerning the rugby tournament, please contact Russell Bush, tournament director, at (251) 604-957, or Don Staley, executive director of Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation at (205) 349-0700.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10th, 2008
CONTACT:
Don Staley, Executive Director
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Office: 205.394.0700
FAX: 205.750.2765
TuscaloosaSportsFoundation@gmail.com
University of Alabama to hold 15th annual NIRSA National Collegiate Soccer Championship
TUSCALOOSA, AL.— The University of Alabama University Recreation Department is teaming up with Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation and Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the National Intramural and Recreation Sports Association 15th annual National Collegiate Soccer Championship.
Starting on November 20th, NIRSA will present 72 of the finest male and female soccer teams to play for the outright Collegiate National Championship. Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation anticipates over 1500 players, staff and fans will converge on Tuscaloosa during the off week before the annual Iron Bowl.
“With the tremendous amount of support received from these remarkable organizations, we feel the tournament will be an enormous success and just another reason to pick Tuscaloosa as a destination for hosting sporting events.” Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation Executive Director Don Staley said.
The games will be held at the University of Alabama’s recreation fields, as well as Sokol Park on the weekend of November 20th, and ending on November 22nd. This is the fourth time since 2001 the event has been held in Tuscaloosa.
“George Brown and his staff have done an outstanding job in years past to facilitate the return of the NIRSA Championships and with the addition of PARA providing the outstanding new soccer addition at Sokol Park, this year’s competition should be first class on all fronts.” Staley said.
For more information concerning the soccer tournament, please contact Seth Thomas, University Recreation Manager of Sports Clubs, at (205) 348-5129 or through e-mail at sthomas@sa.ua.edu. You can also contact Don Staley, executive director of Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation at (205) 349-0700 or his email at dstaley3@aol.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29th, 2008
CONTACT:
Don Staley, Executive Director
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Office: 205.394.0700
FAX: 205.750.2765
TuscaloosaSportsFoundation@gmail.com
Bama Bounders Gymnastics to host events
Tuscaloosa, Ala., September 29, 2008 – The Bama Bounders Gymnastics Club along with the support of the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation will host two major competitions November 7-9 and December 5-7 at the Belk Activity Center. The “BAMA RAMA 2008 Invitational” and the “Alabama Compulsory State Championship Meet” are expected to bring between 1200-1300 gymnasts to Tuscaloosa County over a six day period.
Bama Rama Meet Director and State Meet Co-Director Mike Holdefer says “We are proud to have the opportunity to host our premier gymnastics event in November. We hope to have a record number of gymnasts involved in the BAMA RAMA weekend. And we are especially pleased that the Alabama USA Gymnastics Board has given us the opportunity to host the first combined state championship meet. I think the combination of the outstanding facility at the Belk Center along with the tremendous support of the Bama Bounders and the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation made it an easy choice for the State Board.”
In its 20th year, “BAMA RAMA” held November 7-9 is considered one of the top amateur events in the southeast and will bring in excess of 700 participants to Tuscaloosa from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina for the three day event. Features of the 2008 competition include; two complete floors and gymnasiums, state award for highest score, awards for individual and team exceeding USA Gymnastics minimums, trophies, medals, and ribbons awarded at all levels and the Patterson Award, named for Alabama Gymnastics coaches, David and Sarah Patterson which is given to the team with the highest team score for the event.
The “Alabama State Meet” December 5-7 will bring almost 700 individual participants and over 30 teams with an expected economic impact of ________ for the 3 day event. The “State Meet” brings the top gymnasts from Alabama to one location and is a competition that crowns both individual and team champions in five different USA Gymnastics competitive levels.
“We are proud to be involved in athletic events of this magnitude that will showcase our community in addition to working along side an organization with the respect and reputation of Bama Bounders” said TSF Executive Director Don Staley. “Tuscaloosa was a logical place geographically to move the state meet due to the economic climate we currently face, while the “BAMA RAMA” has been a successfully run premier event for years.” said Staley
The “BAMA RAMA” and Alabama State Meet are USA Gymnastics sanctioned events. BAMA RAMA will feature competition for girls and young women in Age Group competition Levels 2 thru 10 and Prep Optional 1-4. The State Compulsory Meet will have competition in Levels 2 thru 6 and will be the first time all five levels have competed at the same site. USA Gymnastics is the governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States.
“We really enjoy going to BAMA RAMA because it puts our kids in a very competitive environment with teams and gymnasts from multiple states, much like when we go to regional and bigger meets. Tuscaloosa and the Bama Bounders always deliver a first class facility, great hospitality and well-run events” said Coach Keith Elred of SEGA Gymnastics from Collierville, Tennessee.
Former UA gymnastics standout and BAMA Bounders Head Coach Erin Holdefer- Kightlinger serves as the technical consultant for both meets says “We are always excited to host BAMA RAMA as it serves as a home meet for our Tuscaloosa area gymnasts and provides excellent competition in many levels. The optional sessions on Saturday evening showcase the upper level gymnasts and they are very exciting to watch. Then having the chance to provide a State Meet here in Tuscaloosa is a wonderful opportunity for our parents and volunteers to show the Bama Bounder hospitality. “
For more details about either meet log onto http://www.homestead.com/bamabounders.com or contact meet director Mike Holdefer at mike@holdefer.com
Admission costs: $5.00 per day per adult, $3.00 Children 6-18, Under 6 Free, Weekend Pass $10.00 Adult, $6.00 Child (Good for all 3 days of meet)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 11, 2008
CONTACT:
Don Staley, Executive Director
Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation
Office: 205.394.0700
FAX: 205.750.2765
TuscaloosaSportsFoundation@gmail.com
Greentrack Donates $3,500 to Deborah Wilder to go to China
Eutaw, Ala., July 11, 2008 – Friday morning Deborah Wilder received a donation for $3500 from Greentrack Raceway. Wilder’s son Deontay is Boxing for the US Olympic Team in Beijing, China. Greentrack donated the check to Deborah in an effort to offset some of the expenses of travel to China to watch her son compete.
“This is a very special once in a Lifetime experience to help her see her son,” said Luther “Nat” Winn the President/CEO of Greentrack. Winn heard about Deborah on the radio and wanted to help someone in the community. Deborah has received numerous donations from the Alabama community and said “It showed me people really do care and they want me to be there with my son to support him”. Wilder leaves on August 8 for Beijing, China and will see her sons opening fight and those to follow. Wilder went on to say, “I truly appreciate Mr. Winn, the nice people at Greentrack, the Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation and all the other wonderful people who have made this trip possible, it’s a dream come true” |
