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Event
Description:
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The Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association is partnering with the Rampart Chapter of the USAF Academy Association of Graduates on the annual fund-raising pizza party prior to the Wing Open Boxing Tournament on Thursday 4 March 2010, from 5-7 PM (Boxing starts at 7PM) at the AF Academy Cadet Field House.
The Academy’s Cadet Wing has selected the Lt Col Chris Stratton family for this year’s Wing Open Boxing Tournament charity. Lt Col Stratton’s 10-year old daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008 and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy with positive results. Meanwhile, Lt Col Stratton himself has recently been diagnosed and is under treatment for a cancerous gastro-intestinal tumor. The family is facing significant financial difficulties due to the expenses of travel and other needs the past two years related to both members’ care at various cancer centers across the country, as well as other expenses related to their recent move to USAFA from Del Rio, Texas, to be closer to the Denver Children’s Hospital.
All proceeds from the pizza party are donated to the charity family. Requested donation for the pizza party is $15 per person/$25 per family. To make your reservation, get more info, or volunteer to help, please contact Bob or Cathy Cooper at 719-481-4315 or email cooperrr@saic.com. DETAILS To Be Announced Rampart Chapter of the USAFA Association of Graduates and Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association Cadet Wing Open Boxing Tournament Annual Pizza Party
SUNDAY
4 March 10 Pizza -- 1700 Boxing -- 1900 Cadet Field House USAF Academy Door Prizes All you can eat Pizza & Soda Donation: Lt Col Chris Stratton family
Sponsored by Rampart Chapter of the USAFA Association of Graduates And the Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the Air Force Association All proceeds will be donated to the USAF Academy Wing Open Boxing Tournament Charity
If you cannot attend, but would like to donate to the charity, please send your donation to Rampart Chapter AOG, P.O. Box 316, USAFA, CO 80840-0316
Air Force Boxing Wing Open Tournament
USAF Academy, Colo. (Clune Arena)
Free Admission
The tournament is an extension of the boxing class and intramural program that is offered to the Cadet Wing in the fall. Although boxers have the opportunity to compete at Friday Night Fights and various National Collegiate Boxing Association events throughout the year, every contender is always eyeing the beginning of February when the Wing Open tournament begins.
"This is always an exciting time of year," head coach Eddie Weichers says of the tournament. "All of the boxers bring such a strong will to win. That is what makes these matches so intense. Every single one of them knows that they are just one bout away from the Wing Open Championship round. Clune Arena is where they all want to be."
The first three rounds of the Wing Open Tournament are held in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gymnasium. The intensity builds throughout each round and soon, only one thing is certain ... the capacity of the boxing room is not enough to contain the thrill of collegiate boxing.
Since its inception, the finals of the Wing Open has become one of the most anticipated events on the Academy's calendar, as the atmosphere of Clune Arena is nearly as entertaining as the projected bouts. Cadets usher the spectators to their seats, while the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps entertain the crowd.
The champions of the Wing Open will form the core of the team that will represent the Academy in national competition. The weight divisions begin at 112 pounds and continue through 119, 125, 132, 139, 147, 156, 165, 175, 185, 195 and heavyweight.
In the 49-year history of the Wing Open, 11 cadets have made their mark by winning their division title for four consecutive years -- Jim Ingram (1964), Gary Vasek (1968), "Buzz" Dyre (1969), Charlie Stallworth (1973), Alex Cline (1980), Ricky Graham (1982), Bryan Dunn (1993), Mike Benza (2000), Joel Rivera (2001), Darren Smith (2005) and Willie Lloyd (2007).
In addition to the entertainment aspects of the Wing Open, the Falcons have dubbed the event "Fighting for a Cause". Since 1984, the Air Force boxing team and the Wing Open have donated more than $230,000 to worthwhile causes and families in need throughout the Colorado Springs area.
And although the championship is a culmination of a year of hard work and dedication for the winning boxers, it is also the start of a second season of competition. The 12 Wing Open victors, or "The Dirty Dozen", form the nucleus of the Academy team that will compete at the regional and national meets.
To date, Air Force boasts a history of 18 national team titles, 28 regional team titles, 99 national champions and 274 All-Americans.
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