Write a commentThe Fulton Wrestling Club dedicated their new flagpole and raised the US flag today with members of the Fulton Noon Rotary.
Rotarians have been strong supporters of the club’s renaissance as it has taken up residence in its new building on the corner of Emery St. and Broadway. The organization first decided to sponsor the flagpole in spring of 2024. Funding came from a Rotary District Matching Grant, as well as financial sponsorship from long-time Rotary partners Don and Sue Ryan of Tavern on the Lock.
Fulton Noon Rotary President Brittney Jerred offered introductory remarks at the ceremony. “We try to assist many local groups who have an impact on our community, including Fulton Community Basketball, Fulton Ice Hockey, Child Advocacy Center, City/School Synergy and many more… this club is doing great work not just with improving the sport of wrestling, but for giving our youth in this community a gathering space and a healthy way to spend time.”
The donation of the flagpole was “a want, not a need,” admitted Fulton Wrestling Club President Andy Hammond. But that doesn’t make its symbolism any less important: “This flagpole isn’t just a structure; it’s a symbol of pride and unity, two attributes that are taught and valued by everyone in the Fulton Wrestling program.”
Rotarian Jerry Seguin noted that the staff and coaches involved in the Wrestling Club embody the Rotarian principle of service above self in the many ways they give back to the students of the community. “That’s part of the reason we were so happy to play a part in bringing this project to life.”
The program offers 250 kids from ages 5 up to 19 a place to come and hone their skills at wrestling, of which roughly half are girls. “We have a sanctioned girls program now being run by Cam Mills, which is fantastic because girls wrestling is the number one fastest growing sport right now. The team did great, placing fourth in states.”
But, as always, the sport is about more than just technical mastery. “Our mission here is to make a great wrestling team, of course, but it’s also about helping the kids become great people, great members of our community,” noted Hammond, adding that wrestling taught him grit and determination that has helped him even when he was far from the mat.
Coach Ron LaBeef also made remarks on the dedication, noting how if his players take care of family first and academics second, that the rest tends to fall into place. “Our main goal is to help our kids.”
The club is hopeful that they will continue expansion in the future, with plans to someday have a dedicated gym for strength and conditioning. But for now, they are proud to have accomplished so much for the youth of Fulton. “We’ve always been a wrestling town,” Hammond said. “We want that to be able to continue.”
After remarks by the coaches, Rotarian Paul Rigall, who is also pastor of the Fulton Nazarene Church, discussed the symbolism and history of the flag: how its colors were purposefully chosen to represent bravery, justice, and purity, while also honoring the many Americans who died fighting for our nation’s right to be free. He then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to complete the dedication ceremony.
To learn more about the Fulton Noon Rotary, visit them on Facebook or on their website. Fulton Wrestling Club has an active Facebook group for those interested in supporting the club.
