Boxing Beyond the Ring: Wisconsin Center Uses Discipline to De-escalate Youth Conflict
A surprising strategy is proving effective in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where a community center is utilizing boxing training to reduce fighting among local youth.
Sending a child to a boxing gym to curb aggressive behavior may seem counterintuitive, but that’s precisely the approach taken by The Good Fight Community Center in downtown La Crosse. The organization’s success hinges on the discipline and confidence instilled through the sport, ultimately diminishing the need for students to prove themselves through physical confrontation.
From Conflict to Confidence
According to the center’s Executive Director, Amanda Worman Holmgaard, the benefits extend far beyond physical prowess. “It’s not just about teaching kids to fight,” she explained during a recent appearance on WIZM’s La Crosse Talk. “In fact, what we experience is if kids come to us and they’ve been having problems at school getting into fights, once they start learning boxing – because boxing requires discipline – and they gain that confidence, the fights actually start to go down because they don’t have anything to prove anymore.”
This shift in mindset is crucial, Worman Holmgaard emphasized. She noted that “kids that are confident and capable, are not victims” and develop a sense of self-worth that discourages aggressive behavior.
A ‘Third Space’ for Growth
Established in August 2014, The Good Fight provides a vital “third space” for young people aged 10 to 18 – a safe environment outside of home and school where education, mentorship, and positive relationships take precedence. The center prioritizes building connections with its students, recognizing that a sense of safety and belonging is fundamental to their development. “It’s really about building relationships with those kids,” Worman Holmgaard said, “because when any of us, but especially kids, when they feel safe and loved, then they’re in a place where they can learn and grow.”
The 6,800-square-foot facility, described by Worman Holmgaard as a “big family room,” offers a diverse range of activities alongside boxing, including gaming computers, daily meals, ping pong, and tutoring services. However, the boxing ring remains the cornerstone of the center’s approach to building resilience.
Life Lessons in the Ring
Worman Holmgaard views boxing training as a powerful metaphor for navigating life’s challenges. “Honestly, the boxing is about teaching kids self-control,” she stated. “And it’s about learning life skills, because when we talk about life and facing hardship in life, we’ll even use metaphorical language about fighting… so it’s really a vessel for teaching kids about resilience, about how to take those punches that will come in life.”
Accessibility and Inclusivity
To ensure that its programs are accessible to all, The Good Fight operates a robust subsidy program. While a $25 monthly subscription is in place, fees are waived for over 60 percent of families, guaranteeing that financial constraints do not prevent participation. “We never want price to be a barrier for a kid to be able to access the programs and services that we provide,” Worman Holmgaard affirmed.
The Good Fight Community Center demonstrates that sometimes, the most unexpected paths can lead to the most positive outcomes, offering a unique and effective solution to youth conflict and fostering a generation of confident, capable, and resilient individuals.
