About Us

Our Focus:

The primary focus of our mentoring program, Cadillac Boxing Club, is to nurture Men of Excellence. Excellence is defined as the quality of being outstanding or exceptionally good. Men of excellence serve as strong leaders within their families, contribute positively to the communities in which they reside, and make a lasting impact on our world.

Our USA Amateur Boxing team proudly bears the name TEAM WILDCAT in tribute to Cadillac’s own Ad Wolgast, who secured the World Lightweight Championship in 1910 after engaging in one of history’s most legendary battles – a grueling 40-round fight. Known as the Michigan Wildcat, Ad Wolgast always paid homage to his hometown by proudly declaring, “I’m from Cadillac, Michigan,” before stepping into the ring. His remarkable achievements in the sport of boxing earned him a well-deserved place in the Pro Boxing Hall of Fame, where he is honored for his excellence.

One of Ad Wolgast’s notable quotes is, “Boxers are like bank burglars, we are compelled to return to the scene of our crimes.” This sentiment reflects the passion and dedication that drives individuals to excel in the sport of boxing, much like Ad Wolgast himself.

Our program is dedicated to guiding and empowering young men in middle to high school to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives – mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically. We aim to equip them with the necessary skills and mindset to graduate from high school with a solid life plan in place as they transition into adulthood.

A crucial component of this life plan is preparing our mentees to pursue one of four paths based on their career aspirations: college (community or four-year), trade school, military service, or immediate entry into the workforce (through apprenticeships or other income-earning positions). We believe that having a clear life plan is essential for a successful transition into adulthood.

For those who choose to remain in the area and continue competing in USA Amateur competitions, we welcome them as long as they are actively pursuing one of the outlined life plan paths. These individuals will also have the opportunity to serve as mentors for younger men in our program, fostering a sense of community and support.

Your support of our program is an investment in the future, as you are investing in the youth of today. All financial or in-kind donations are tax deductible, as we are a division of a federally recognized nonprofit organization, Never Down For The Count Youth Services. Our program is offered as a free service to the young men involved, with the goal of enhancing our community and preparing them to make a positive impact on the world.
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Our Mission:

The mission of Cadillac Boxing Club is to cultivate young men of excellence who are equipped to transition into adulthood with a clear understanding of their life purpose and a sense of balance in all aspects of their being – mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Through the direct mentoring interaction between coaches and athletes in our program, we are able to guide young men towards achieving life balance. Our focus areas include:

Mentally: A sharp and focused mind is a powerful tool for success in the ring and in life. In addition to the goal of high school graduation, our young men are tasked with reading assignments from motivational books that promote personal growth. These books are provided in physical form, as we believe in the value of tangible paper books over e-books.

Once a month, the young men gather for a breakfast meeting with their coach to engage in discussions about the assigned reading from the previous month. Additionally, they are required to watch boxing matches and then participate in quizzes at the gym to assess their understanding of the sport and their ability to analyze it.

This structured approach to learning not only enhances their academic skills but also fosters a sense of discipline and dedication. By exposing them to diverse forms of knowledge and challenging their critical thinking abilities, we aim to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are prepared to excel in all aspects of life.

Emotionally:Anger is not a beneficial emotion for young men; it can lead to a loss of focus and, much like a boxer in the ring, an angry individual is more likely to lose. In life, anger can be just as detrimental. At our organization, we emphasize the importance of processing anger in a healthy manner. Rather than suppressing or ignoring it, we encourage young men to channel their anger and release it in a constructive way. By doing so, they can effectively manage their emotions and prevent them from festering.

Furthermore, we believe that true excellence is demonstrated by the ability to express a wide range of emotions. Emotions are not a sign of weakness; on the contrary, a mentally strong individual is capable of expressing feelings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. By embracing and understanding their emotions, young men can develop into well-rounded individuals who are equipped to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

Socially: The adolescent years are a crucial time in a person’s life, as it is during this period that individuals interact with their peer group more than at any other time. Peer pressure poses significant challenges for young men, often leading them to compromise their goals or, even worse, preventing them from ever achieving them. Striving to be “just like everyone else” within one’s peer group only results in mediocrity. It is important to instill in young men the understanding that being average is the easy path.

Men of excellence understand the importance of making wise decisions when it comes to their peers. They learn to navigate away from negative peer pressure situations and, when necessary, become strong leaders who guide their peers towards positive choices, both individually and as a group. It is crucial for young men to recognize the impact of their peer group on their personal development and to actively choose to surround themselves with individuals who will support and encourage their growth.

Physically: Engaging in this sport will not only help our young men achieve peak physical fitness through full-body conditioning, but it will also instill in them the importance of treating their bodies with respect. We emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by providing year-round training and educating our athletes on proper nutrition. It is crucial for men of excellence to understand the detrimental effects of substance abuse, such as illegal drugs and alcohol, on their bodies.

An analogy frequently used in our program is that a well-maintained body is like a brand new Corvette – sleek and impressive on the outside, but worthless if the engine is not properly cared for. By teaching our athletes the value of physical discipline from a young age, we are preparing them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives well into adulthood.