The atmosphere inside the West Scranton Intermediate School gymnasium is a dissonant mix of intensity and tenderness. You’ll see the sounds of shouting and cheers echoing off the walls, the thud of bodies hitting the mat and the focused breathing of children between the ages of 10 and 14. To a casual observer, it looks like a combat sports tournament. To the community, it is a strategic line of defense.
This MMA program in Scranton schools is not about producing professional fighters; it is about preventing the recruitment of children into a cycle of street violence. By introducing mixed martial arts into the after-school curriculum of the city’s three intermediate schools, administrators and law enforcement are attempting to replace the allure of gang affiliation with the discipline of the gym.
The initiative was born from a period of acute instability. Two years ago, community leaders and the school district convened to address a rise in gang-related activity that had culminated in the shooting of Scranton Police Det. Kyle Gilmartin. The goal was to find a way to connect with students during their most volatile years—the middle school window—before they are lost to the streets.
“The idea was in response to a lot of the gang violence we had,” said Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher. “You have to educate and do non-violence training and intervention, especially at the middle school level, which is where we lose our kids.”
Strategic Intervention Through Discipline
The program operates as a partnership between the district, the District Attorney’s office, and the office of state Sen. Marty Flynn, who provided the grant funding necessary to launch the program at one school last year before expanding it to West, Northeast, and South intermediate schools this year.
James Simrell, a trained MMA fighter and coach, now works with more than 100 students weekly. Simrell views the mat as a sanctuary where children can learn a skill that provides a sense of permanent ownership over their own lives.
“That’s when they’re most vulnerable to being recruited for gangs and drugs,” Simrell said. “So you can see all these kids out here. I’m keeping them off the streets. I’m teaching them something that nothing, nobody will ever be able to take away from them.”
Beyond the physical takedowns and chokeholds, the program emphasizes mental fortitude. Simrell notes that the students are learning the art of the “reset”—the ability to fail, get back up, and try again. This resilience is intended to translate from the gym to the classroom and the home.
Belonging as a Behavioral Incentive
For many of these students, the MMA program has become the primary reason they look forward to the school day. Al O’Donnell, assistant superintendent for student support services and community relations, views the program as a vital alternative to the “street corner” culture that often claims youth in urban environments.
The district has intentionally framed participation not as a right, but as a privilege. Students who struggle with behavioral issues or fail to follow school rules are barred from the gym. This creates a tangible incentive for better conduct in the classroom.
“I think the kids are behaving better in school, because this is something they look forward to doing,” O’Donnell said. “It’s super vital for them to belong, to be part of the school community.”
The program also serves as an unconventional bridge between the youth and the state’s legal apparatus. Volunteers from the Pennsylvania State Police and the District Attorney’s office regularly assist with the program, allowing students to interact with law enforcement in a supportive, non-adversarial environment.
The Human Cost of Victory
While the technical aspects of the sport are central, the emotional intelligence developed on the mat is perhaps the most significant outcome. The competition is fierce, but the culture is one of mutual respect.
During a recent district tournament, fifth grader Conrad O’Connor won his match, but the victory was bittersweet. His opponent was left in tears. Rather than celebrating, O’Connor immediately stepped in to comfort his peer.
“I want to win, but I don’t want to injure someone,” O’Connor said. “So when I saw that he was crying, I was just making sure he was alright.”
This shift in perspective—from aggression to empathy—is what the program designers hoped for. For students like Merhon Subba, a seventh grader from South Scranton, the program has expanded his social circle and his desire to remain engaged with his education.
“I got to make new friends while doing this,” Subba said. “The best part is being able to compete.”
Expanding the Model
The success of the MMA program has provided a blueprint for other youth interventions in the city. The district plans to resume the program in the fall, but the goal is to diversify the offerings to reach students who may not be drawn to combat sports.
District Attorney Gallagher has expressed interest in implementing similar grant-funded models for art and music programs, recognizing that “belonging” looks different for every child.
“The model works for anything,” Gallagher said. “Not everyone wants to get sweaty on a wrestling mat.”
The district is currently evaluating the impact of the program on school attendance and disciplinary records as they prepare for the next academic cycle. The next confirmed phase of the initiative will involve the formal introduction of these complementary arts programs in the coming school year.
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Note: This article discusses youth violence and gang intervention. For those seeking support for youth at risk or mental health resources, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
