Flooding Leaves Gary P.A.L. Amateur Fighters Without A Gym

October 23, 2008 at 7:09 pm · Filed under Boxing News

October 22, 2008 - (Merrillville, IN) The Gary PAL has offered a refuge for youth of the City of Gary for nearly thirty years. Opening its doors daily Coach John Taylor has created an outreach that has continued to grasp the interest of the children in the City.  

 

 

Gary P.A.L. Deep in Water IUN Underwater

(Pictured Above directly after the floods the Gary P.A.L. Gym was surrounded by a lake of water much like it’s neighbor Indiana University Northwest.)Nearly a month has passed and for many the historical flooding of September can still be felt. Though the waters have receded and the streets have dried some still remain displaced. The hard rains had affected the whole region and closed down roads and schools. Indiana University Northwest Gary Campus was one of the campuses most greatly affected by the flooding having numerous campus structures damaged.

 

 

Coach Taylor instructing Student     Coach Taylor Kid Heavybag
(Coach John Taylor instructs kids from the Gary P.A.L. Amateur Program now training at the One In A Million Gym)


Just the length of a football field north of the campus sat one of the City of Gary’s strongest youth organizations. In a little old building The Gary P.A.L. (Police Athletic League), which has been a safe haven for the youth of Gary since 1979 sat deep under water.Coach John Taylor who began this program and still runs it today said this was the worst it had ever been since they had started. “The longest we have ever had closed before was a couple of days, but with this much damage I am not sure when or if we are going to be able to reopen. The flooding ruined everything; the water was above the ring, which is about 5 feet high.”The Gary P.A.L. is a simple program, it is a amateur youth boxing program at no cost to the participants and one that Coach Taylor has personally picked up the kids and brought them to the gym for years. He has continuously sought to better the youth of the City and offer them an outlet and mentor them to succeed not only in the ring, but also in life.

“Octavius said bring the kids in immediately after he heard about the flooding and the damage to our gym. And we have been here at the One In A Million Gym ever since.” Taylor said. “This has been a true blessing because if we hadn’t had a place to train I would have lost all of our kids. Once they lose interest, they are gone and back to the streets, fortunately the kids love it here at One In A Million, saying how it is the nicest boxing gym they have ever seen. Also, Octavius has assured me that he will have a meeting with Mayor Clay (referring to the Mayor of Gary) discussing if the City will be able to assist me & the children in returning back to our home gym. It makes me happy to know we can continue such a rich tradition of keeping the kids off the streets, and helping create more World Champions.”

Coach Taylor Oversees Sparring     Coach Taylor Instructing

         (Coach Taylor oversees a youth sparring session)          (Coach Taylor displays proper form for one of his boxers)With the damage too extensive to fix and with the children of the Gary P.A.L. left homeless One In A Million Boxing CEO Octavius James welcomed in Coach Taylor and his kids with open arms immediately after hearing of the flooding at the Gary P.A.L. “Being from the City of Gary and seeing what a significant role John Taylor has been in helping the youth of the City, there was no hesitation on our part to give Coach Taylor and the Gary P.A.L. amateurs a place to train for as long as they need. Many amateurs, now fighting Professionally for One In A Million Boxing have come from the Gary P.A.L. including past & present fighters, from Angel Manfredy, Derrick “Superman” Findley, NABC Female Lightweight Champion “Merciless” Mary McGee along with many others.”Visit us online at: www.oneinamillionboxing.comFor more information Contact: info@OneInAMillionBoxing.com

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