Sports are a great way to keep young people out of trouble, while instilling critical values such as discipline, work ethic, and respect. In the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, N.J., Mike Steadman is teaching and coaching boxing to young people in his community for free.
Steadman, a United States Naval Academy graduate, is a three-time NCBA light heavyweight boxing champion. After graduating from the academy in 2010, he went on to serve as a Marine Corps infantry officer in Afghanistan, Japan, and the Philippines. After his service, Steadman moved to Newark and began coaching boxing at St. Benedicts Preparatory School. But he found he wanted to do more than just coach his students. He wanted to offer free boxing to more of the city’s at-risk youth.
