Beat the Streets names Lenny Merkin as Assistant Coach

The BTS alumnus spent the past two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the organization.

Beat the Streets Executive Director Brendan Buckley and Director of Programming Bob Seidel are pleased to announce the hiring of Lenny Merkin as Assistant Coach.

“I am excited to take what I learned the past two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA and apply it to this new role,” Merkin said. “Bob Seidel and BTS Head Coach Joe DeAngelo have been valuable mentors to me, and I look forward to working with them more as we continue to make a lifelong impact on thousands of New York City youth.”

Merkin, a BTS alumnus, was a four-time New York prep state champion at Poly Prep and earned All-American honors at junior nationals. He continued his wrestling career at Princeton University, where he earned a graduate and bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering. He also competed in Greco-Roman for the United States at the 2019 U23 World Championships.

"Lenny steps into his new role as someone who has achieved tremendous success both on and off the wrestling mat,” Seidel said. “He has a deep passion for growing New York City wrestling and working with the youth we serve. As an alum, he provides students with a positive role model to look up to that was once in their shoes.” 

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. 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. Discover how you can make a meaningful contribution to our work at btsny.org/donate.