Beat the Streets New York hires Bob Seidel as Director of Programming

The former Virginia wrestler brings more than 15 years of coaching and teaching experience to New York City youth.

Beat the Streets New York's Board of Directors and Executive Director Brendan Buckley are pleased to announce the hiring of Bob Seidel as the Director of Programming.

In his role, Seidel will play a critical role in designing and overseeing programs that are outcome and impact driven. He will oversee all aspects of BTSNY's programs, including the Academy, Junior League, Training Center as well as the partnership with New York City's Public School Athletic League (PSAL).

"We are elated to welcome Bob Seidel to the BTSNY staff," Buckley said. "Bob has an impressive resume that has seen him achieve success on the mat, in the classroom and in his professional career as a coach. I am fortunate to have coached Bob while an assistant at the University of Virginia and so it was a no-brainer to bring Bob to BTSNY when given the opportunity."

"I'm very excited to reunite with Brendan Buckley, my former coach, and to get a position at Beat the Streets New York," Seidel said. "I've been looking for a way to get involved with them, and I'm excited to have found this role to get involved with New York City youth with the sport I love the most.

"Wrestling gives the skills you need to succeed in all aspects of life. I look forward to helping provide that to New York City youth."

Seidel spent the past year as an Advanced Placement history teacher and head varsity wrestling coach at St. Mary's Ryken in Leonardtown, Maryland. He guided St. Mary's Ryken to fifth place at Prep Nationals, state runner-up finish and conference championship. For his efforts, Seidel was named The Washington Post's wrestling coach of the year.

Seidel previously coached and taught at the high school level for five years at Waialua (Hawaii) and 10 years at Colts Neck (New Jersey). At Waialua, he was the head boys and girls varsity judo coach as well as assistant varsity wrestling coach.

Seidel earned a master's degree in social foundations of education and a Bachelor of Science degree in foreign affairs and Middle East relations, both from the University of Virginia.

As a student-athlete, Seidel found plenty of success on the mat and in the classroom. He was a 2003 NCAA qualifier and ACC champion at 141 pounds at Virginia as well as ACC Outstanding Male Scholar. Seidel also served as Virginia team captain for one year. In high school, Seidel posted a 114-16 overall record and was a three-time New Jersey state place-winner. He also earned All-American honors in Greco-Roman and won four state championships, with two each in freestyle and Greco-Roman.

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

BTSNY works to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and strengthen the NYC wrestling culture. We aim 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.