2024 Beat the Streets Academy: Student-athletes' takeaways from Night 1

Rider University head wrestling coach Jon Hangey discussed the academic college transition and shared wrestling technique.

Returning Bat the Streets student-athletes in the Academy enrichment program saw a familiar face Wednesday night in Rider University head wrestling coach John Hangey.

In his second straight year serving as a speaker and clinician for the Academy, Hangey shared positive habits the 140 students in attendance can practice that will lead to improvements in academics. He also shared how students can pursue wrestling in college and what college coaches look for in perspective students - on and off the wrestling mat.

Hangey then showcased wrestling technique to set-up various takedown attempts and different ways to defend against opponents' takedown attempts.

BTS Academy student-athlete Sellase Sunu

"I liked the fact that business is one of Rider's main majors, and that's one thing I want to pursue when I grow up. For the wrestling part, I really liked the technique he taught with the hand-fighting with the clear, pull set-up. I feel like that will really help me a lot in my matches. It will change my wrestling as I know it today."

BTS Academy student-athlete Joy Murray

"I really appreciated the technique coach Hangey brought to us as well as the lessons and advice he gave about maintaining a positive mindset and keeping your confidence up."

The BTS Academy program aims to prepare New York City students for success on and off the wrestling mat. The application-only program provides free resources such as college prep, mentorship, life skill workshops, world-class wrestling clinicians and much more.

Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets has pioneered a movement that now includes 150 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.

BTS works to develop the full human and athletic potential of New York City urban youth and strengthen the city's wrestling culture. BTS aims to make a lifelong impact on student-athletes through the lessons learned on the wrestling mat -- discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic. Discover how you can make a meaningful contribution to BTS' work at btsny.org/donate.