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the Muskegon
tribune E
April 2013
High Math grades earn prospects an invitation to
Boot Camp #4, code name “The A Team”
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his journey started late last summer, when boxing club founder Franklin Fudail started to recruit for a new boot camp squad. He went door-to-door in the neighborhoods handing out flyers, he made multiple visits to the housing projects and mailed post cards to every apartment unit. His goal was to recruit at least 15 new prospects. By late fall of 2012, only eight young men ranging from 10-14 years old had signed up to start the rigorous new process to join the
Kyren Kimball
Richard Slaughter
Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. Five months later, only half of the eight sign-ups remain. All
Alante Grider
Julius Scott
meeting the new criteria to participate in the moral, academic and physical training known as boot
camp. Academically, all the young men had to enroll faithfully into the math program and they were given to the start of boot camp to earn at least an 80% or B in math, all met the math requirement. Fifth graders Alante Grider and Richard Slaughter both earned B’s. Eighth grader Kyren Kimball earned an A and Eighth grader Julius Scott earned an A-. Fudail said he is very proud of the young men and that they all
INSIDE
Boxing Club influenced by West Point book
Page 8 Boxing Club participates in 12th Annual West Point Bridge Design Contest
Page 16 Reading & Math program approaching milestone
A TEAM, see page 5
Problem solved By MIKE MATTSON
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Left to Right: Scott Meats employee Darnell Kitchen, Craig Hindes, owner of Scott Meats Kailey Hindes (daughter of owner)
Twelve-Point Program for Success plan re-educates and re-trains
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Math program proves successful, encourages parents to get sons involved
Page 4
Page 6
worked very hard. “We set a standard and they met it. They worked really hard and did not waver. Our math program is our signature program, so I wanted all the young men to dig deep and prove to themselves that they can master mathematics. We have everything in place for them to excel This is a psychological boast for them”. Fudail said he wish he had the fifteen new kids he originally
Old-Fashioned values
Scott Meats gives more than great service
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By TOM KENDRA
BEHIND THE COUNTER
cott Meats is a thriving Muskegon Heights business - in more ways than one. The old-fashioned meat market, which has been operating at its current location at 309 E. Broadway since 1985, is a flurry of activity on a daily basis, with customers scurrying to pull a tab and then surveying their options while waiting for their number to be called. Options abound as Scott’s boasts the longest meat counter in Muskegon County, with its plethora of fresh, openly-displayed meat offering a stark contrast to the pre-packaged containers that are prevalent at larger grocery stores. Scott’s is best known for its unique bold and garlicky sausages and bratwurst, which brings customers from around the region (and actually all over the state) into the heart of Muskegon Heights six days a week. But owner Craig Hindes does more than just run u SCOTT, see page 5
WHAT: Scott Meats, a full-service meat market located at 309 E. Broadway in Muskegon Heights ABOUT THE BIZ: Craig Hindes is the store owner, who has a staff of 12 employees. Scott Meats boasts the largest meat counter in Muskegon County and its broad selection of sausages and bratwurst attracts customers from all over the state. HOURS: The retail store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. NOTABLE: Scott Meats is the official sponsor of the Muskegon Reading & Math Academy, which is located next door to the meat market on Broadway Avenue and is dedicated to producing disciplined, well-mannered young men who excel in academics.
“I was blown away when I saw this program and the discipline it demands and teaches these kids. These kids are going on and doing great things. I’m happy to be a part of that.”
— Craig Hindes
ractions were troubling Richard Slaughter in math class. Then help arrived via the Muskegon Reading and Math Program at the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. “I know that a couple weeks ago, he had a hard time with fractions,” said Richard’s mother Christina Sealey. “He couldn’t get it for some reason. Down at the boxing club, they went over all the stuff he didn’t understand. He was excited that it “I couldn’t finally clicked with him.” ask for a better It’s clicking with other 10- program than to 15-year-old where he is students, too. now. “He’s an The Math Program start- A-B student. ed in 2010 and Honestly, I love is considered this program the signature offering at the and I am proud boxing club, of him. Yes, I see according to Founder/Presi- great results.” dent Franklin — Alicia Grider, Fudail. parent of Alante, A certified program student math teacher is available up to three to six days a week after school to help students hone math skills in a cozy classroom at the boxing club. Fudail said he would like to see more young men take advantage of the free Math program that he funded exclusively with his own money, prior to sponsor Scott Meats assistance. “It definitely is underutilized,” Fudail said. Fudail would like to see more parents get their sons involved in the Math Program. For the parents who’ve taken u
MATH, see page 5
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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One-on-One with Boxing Club founder
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ranklin A. Fudail is the founder of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. He is also Publisher of the Muskegon Tribune newspaper and the author of two books.
trumps moral and academic development. This is what I mean by a Parent with misguided values. He placed sport and play over what really matters.
Q. How is everything going at the box-
Q. I have heard some good things about
ing club?
A. We are maintaining. Entering the last stretch for the school year.
Q. What ages are you working with now?
A. We range from 10 years old to 15. Q. At one time, your age range went to 18, what happen? A. After doing this for a several years I realized that the most effective strategy is helping a kid early, it eliminates a lot of future problems. If you help a kid become strong morally and academically early you help lay a solid foundation for success, it doesn’t guarantee success, but it increases the chances.
Q. You can’t do the same thing with a 16, 17 or 18 year old?
A. Yes, I can and I have, but I can say from experience when a young man becomes 16 years old he thinks he is “too cool” to conform to a program like ours. At that age a lot of young men are in the streets and the streets have a vice grip on them and its hard to loosen that grip. Working with younger kids is more proactive. We are able to keep them from becoming a victim of the streets.
Q. Are you saying our youth 16-18 years old are hopeless?
A. Absolutely not. I am saying the method we
use at the boxing club is not as effective for young men that age. There are other methods to reach young men that age. I am focusing on a specific age group. I am trying to save young men from falling off track. Trying to pull an 18 year old from off the corner is re-active. Preventing an 8 year old from ever wanting to be on a corner is pro-active.
Q. Why is there so little boxing going on at the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club?
A. (Laughs). Well, we fight, but we are fighting
for moral and academic excellence. Our goal is to knock out math more so than a boxing opponent. There is simply too much sport and play inside our community. Everything is sports and some form of entertainment. It has its place, but its place should not be a priority over moral and academic development.
your Math program. Why do you think its been so effective?
A. Really its very simple. We provide these young men with their own Math Teacher, whose sole purpose is to help them learn and be successful in math. We don’t have a lot of kids, so they are able to get one-on-one attention from the Teacher. There is absolutely no joking or playing around. No kid is going to laugh at another kid if they don’t understand something, its a very quiet, serious environment that is conducive to learning. The discpline and order is unmatched and that is the key. All the teachers have to worry about is how to successfully teach the young men. They don’t have to discipline or spend time settling the kids down, so our time is well spent, its very efficient. I have been blessed with the ability to motivate kids to learn. I know how to train these young men to be successful. Q. Specifically, how are the kids in your program doing in math at their respective schools?
A. All the kids we have in the program right
now are all doing well in math. When I say all of them, I mean every single kid in our program and when I say they all are doing well I mean every kid in our program has earned an A or B in math this school year. All of them. This is a fact.
Q. How often do you have Math class? A. Our regular schedule is Tuesday through
Thursday, with Monday and Saturday reserved for extra help, such as a member needing to catch up on his home work or needs some extra one-on-one instruction from the Teacher. We have two math Teachers on staff, both Certified Math Teachers with math degrees. So a member can get help up to 6 days a week. This is unprecedented in our community.
Q. Why did you decide to focus on math so strongly?
A. Because it has been the one subject that has
hindered so many students over the years. Theoretically speaking, if you can help a kid master reading and math, they can thrive academically on any level in any subject.
Q. Let’s shift gears for a moment, what can be done to help our youth stay out of trouble?
ciples and conviction. I know in my heart what I am doing is in the best interest of the kids. I know the kids would prefer to spend 100% of their time at the gym boxing, but I am not moved by what they want, I got to give these kids what I know they need. I am a man. I lead kids, kids don’t lead me. If the priorities of the parents and the community were proper we would be over flowing with kids.
A. Unfortunately it may be too late for many. The older they are the more difficult. If there is any hope it will be by educating and training the younger kids properly. When I say young I mean 8,9,10 years old. The problem with this solution is we don’t have the institutions in place to do the educating and training. That’s what institutions do, they shape values and solve human problems. The boxing club has the potential to be that type of place, but we lack the support of the very community we are trying to help. The people who could have the greatest impact either don’t have the insight or simply don’t care.
Q. You have been critical of some
Q. Why do you think a free reading and
Q. Do you think all of this emphasis on academics is a deterrent to kids joining the boxing club?
A. Yes, I am sure it is, but I am a man of prin-
Parents and what you call misguided values. Explain what you mean.
A. Well. I will give you an example. I got a
call from a Father back in early October of 2012. He left a voice message on my phone. He told me he received a copy of our program booklet about our reading and math program. He praised the program and said this is exactly what we need in the community and that his son is currently failing math. I called him back and he told me once again his son is struggling with math and received an F on his report card. In spite of his son’s failure, he told me, he will bring his son to the math program AFTER he finish playing little league football. What type of father would prioritize little league football over his own son’s education? I found this disturbing, but typical of what I have experience in this community. Sports and entertainment
math program is not supported by a community that scores on the bottom in reading and math?
A. The masses of people are just trying to survive, pay Consumer Energy, pay their cable bill. They are not thinking about what’s best for their 10 year old son’s future.They are just trying to provide food, clothes and shelter. In other cases the Parent is just not what they should be. As far as those in leadership, they won’t support anyone that is not in their social circles. You could have a cure for a disease and they won’t support it, if you are not inside the clique. On the other hand if you are inside the clique, they will give you money to bring someone to town to sing the alphabet or to read the phone book. Q. What would you recommend to a
Parent to help their academically strug-
gling child?
A. I would recommend a few things. I am more convinced now than ever that private tutoring or small tutoring programs like ours is the key to increasing the reading and math proficiency of our youth, so I would highly recommend a private tutor. I would also recommend the Parent meet with the teachers and communicate with the teachers at least 2-3 days a week. And finally, I would recommend to Parents that they let their child know they believe in them. A lot of kids in our program started caring about their grades when they realized how much I cared about their grades.
Others just cannot believe that one man, with no grants or subsidies could be producing the results we produce. My work ethic and dedication to the cause makes a lot of them uncomfortable. With all the grants and contributions they get, we produce all the positive results that matter with no government dollars. How do they explain that?
Q. How long do you plan to run this program?
A. Well, that’s a good question. I don’t believe
Q. What has been the greatest chal-
the current model is sustainable. This is too much for one man to bear. The foundation is weak because there is little support. Ultimately a weak foundation will crumble, it will fall.
A. Well, there are several. One has been our
Q. You don’t seem to be optimistic about the future of the program.
lenge you have faced with this program? inability to adequately raise funds. I have observed so many people and agencies raise funding for causes that don’t equate to ours, often from the same businesses I approached with an advertising package to support our reading and math program. Unfortunately contributions are not based on the merit of your work, but its based on the brand of your social service group, your ties to the decision makers or your sales pitch. I refuse to surrender my dignity for a dollar. The program would cease to exist before that happens. I don’t come with my hat in my hand. I sell advertising packages to support our program. To me that is a self respecting way to raise funding.
Q. Do you think it may just be lack of awareness about the program?
A. No. Many of those in leadership know about our work. They reading this interview right now. We have been consistent and we are the only group doing this type of work. They know about us. I just believe a lot of people just don’t care, as much as they profess to care. Its all lip service and no actual service. Many of these leaders don’t want to recognize a home grown solution that works, that they did not create.
A. I am not optimistic. I am being honest
and straight forward. Lesser men would have stopped a long time ago or would have never taken on such a responsibility. Not enough people care and those that do, don’t care enough to sacrifice their resources, which is ultimately what must be done. At this pace, I will deplete myself physically and financially and no one will care. They will still be saying they didn’t know the program existed.
Q. Any final words, thoughts about your program or the community?
A. I would like to thank Scott Meats owner
Craig Hindes for being willing to partner with us and to care enough to help these young men with their reading and math. So far, he has been the only person in this 10 year journey willing to support our efforts in a meaningful way and we appreciate it. I also want to thank all the advertisers for supporting this special edition. Our program is very appreciative of the support. Franklin Fudail can be contacted at Email: muskegontribune@gmail.com or call: (231)683-6837.
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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Boxing Club influenced by West Point book W
hen members of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club had the privileged of visiting The U.S. Military Academy at West Point last year very few people were aware of the influence a West Point alumni and his book has had on the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. The book The West Point Way of Leadership written by Col. Larry R. Donnithorne (Ret.), was purchased in August of 1998 by club founder Franklin A. Fudail. At the time Fudail had no involvement with boxing, but years later he remembered Col. Donnithorne’s statement about boxing being an obstacle for many Col. Donnithorne new Cadets at the Academy, due to fear. “Fear is the first emotion humans experience upon entering the world, so when Col. Donnithorne stated Cadets must learn to face fear, understand it, and get a handle on how they react to its pressures I knew I could teach those lessons to the members of the boxing club”, said Fudail. According to Fudail many would be members have quit, due to the thought of entering the boxing ring. He says he has a strict policy of only putting kids in the
ring, who have been thoroughly trained and who he knows possess the mental toughness to endure, which are typically members that have completed the 6 week bootcamp. “These kids are young and fragile mentally, so its important that I do not rush them into the ring because I could unintentionally crush their self-esteem” says Fudail. In the book Col. Donnithorne talks about how repetitive training helps Cadets overcome fear because the Cadet relies on what he knows not what he is feeling. The boxing club chief says boxing is like life, sometimes you enter the ring of life and all you got is yourself. “With boxing you don’t have teammates, all you have to rely on is yourself. You have an obstacle (opponent) that is determined to knock you down and you really have no choice, but to fight. That scenario can be played out in the boxing ring or in life. As Col. Donnithorne says in the book, unless you face your fear, it will be a constant and limiting partner”. The boxing club also learned and adopted the West Point Honor Code from the book, “a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal nor toler-
77 year old book finds new life at boxing club
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he year 1936 was a far different world than 2013. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President, Adolf Hitler’s Germany hosted the Summer Olympics, a postal stamp was 3 cent, bread was 8 cent a loaf, gas was 19 cent a gallon and milk was 48 cent a gallon. But although the world has changed drastically, the timeless principles in the book Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf are as relevant today as they were in that now distant time. The Muskegon Heights Boxing Club has included the small 50 page book on its
“Fear is the first emotion humans experience upon entering the world, so when Col.Donnithorne stated Cadets must learn to face fear, understand it, and get a handle on how they react to its pressures I knew I could teach those lessons to the members of the boxing club”. — Franklin A. Fudail, Boxing Club founder
ate those who do”. Fudail also read how first year Cadets in certain situations are limited to four responses only: Yes sir, No sir, No excuse sir and Sir, I do not understand. The boxing club adopted this teaching and it is practiced during boot camp and after. “If a boxing club member does poorly on a test in school and I ask him, what happen, why did you get a poor grade? 99 percent of the time he will say No excuse sir. This helps a young man learn not to make ex-
cuses in life. They will be better men later in life because of this teaching. All of this is attributable to the book The West Point Way of Leadership”, says Fudail. When Fudail visited the Academy with two members of the boxing club he says he recalls going to the Admissions office with a Cadet, who wanted to speak to the young men about how to get admission into the prestigious Academy. “As soon as we walked into the office. I saw a copy of The West Point Way of Leadership sitting on a coffee table. I thought to myself I would have never guessed when I bought that book almost 15 years ago I would be at the place that inspired it”.
EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE.
mandatory reading list for members. The subject of manners is paramount at the boxing club. Founder Franklin Fudail wrote a booklet addressing manners back in 2010 as required reading for new members. The boxing club also works with a Lathrop Village, Michigan based company Blessings of Etiquette to formally teach manners to members.
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013 u MATH, from Page 1 action, it’s been well worth it. “I couldn’t ask for a better program than where he is now,” Alicia Grider said about her 10-year-old son Alante who attends Timberland Charter Academy. “He’s an A-B student. Honestly, I love this program and I am proud of him. Yes, I see great results.” Added Sealey: “I have report cards to show for it. At the beginning (Richard) got lots of C’s and D’s and now he has all A’s and B’s.” Fudail said good parents that make sure their son’s attend is 90% of the battle. Some students start the program, but decide to
quit. Alicia Grider said that is not an option for her son. “I push him and say, ‘If you start something you will finish it and not give up on it,’” she said. “Life is not about giving up. It’s about trying. All I ask is to try.” Fudail launched the program to help young men in the community be more proficient in the critical area of math. He uses the amateur boxing club to help draw them to the program. In addition, students also learn about etiquette and manners, Chess, martial arts and entrepreneurship and work programs. Parents also credit Fudail for stepping up and teaching solid life lessons to the
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students. “He takes an active role in how they behave in school,” Sealey said. “He’s been a part of their school life in what they are doing inside the club and outside the club.” Tina Halasinski is another believer in the program. Her 15-year-old son Kyren Kimball has made big strides since his involvement. “You can see a huge change in the kids and their mannerisms,” Halasinski said. “It’s about academics and etiquette and it’s all for free. Franklin has delivered everything that he said he would. With Kyren being so timid, the boxing has been good, too.”
Student poses with his academic awards along with his family.
u SCOTT, from Page 1 a successful business in Muskegon Heights. He gives back to the community. Scott Meats is making a significant and continuing contribution to Muskegon County, specifically the youth of the community, as the Official Sponsor of the Muskegon Reading & Math Academy. “Craig Hindes has been the most valuable supporter I have had in the 10 years since I started this mission,” said Franklin Fudail, the founder of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club of Champions and the Muskegon Reading & Math Academy. “He is the only person in Muskegon County that has given significant support to our reading and math program. He is a true community philanthropist and his support has directly helped many kids become more proficient in reading and math.” Hindes admits he was skeptical at first about becoming the program’s sponsor. Small business owners are besieged by requests to contribute to all sorts of worthy causes, but Hindes has learned in his more than 30 years in the highly-competitive meat business that he must be selective. Hindes notes that his first obligation is to his customers, seeking to provide high-quality products at reasonable prices. Second, he is indebted to his 12 employees and making sure they are properly compensated for their hard work. Finally, he constantly seeks to improve and upgrade his store so that it can continue to thrive in Muskegon Heights for many years to come. So it was against that backdrop one year ago that Hindes visited Fudail’s academic academy, which happens to be located right next door to Scott Meats on Broadway, on the other side of Riordan Street, at 355 E. Broadway. He was amazed at what he saw. “I walked in there and here’s all these kids there on their own time, wearing shirts and ties and doing extra work on their reading and math,” Hindes recalled, noting that most of the students in the program are seeing rapid increases in their school GPA. “This is exactly the type of program that I want to be a part of.” Since that time, Hindes has made a consistent, significant monthly contribution to the program, in exchange Fudail runs a full page ad for his business in the Muskegon Tribune. Fudail’s program begins with a six week boot camp. During this period, the young
men are taught basic morals and values and learn what is known at the academy as “the language of respect.” Many of the students in the Reading & Math Program are also part of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club of Champions, which Fudail founded in 2004 and operates out of the same building on Broadway. Fudail says that the same hard work, focus and dedication it takes to succeed in boxing can be applied to academics. Last year the reading and math program had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math program. This year the group has launched its own science initiative at the boxing club. Currently all members of the program have earned an A or B in mathematics at their respective schools. Hindes’ financial support of the Reading & Math Academy is just further evidence of his commitment to Muskegon Heights. Unlike other business owners who have left the Heights and set up shop in other communities, Hindes hopes to stay in his current location for many years and generations to come. In fact, he plans on adding additional refrigeration to his store and making other upgrades in the near future. Hindes, 54, also hopes that his son, James, will eventually take over the family business. Hindes and his wife, Ann, have four children - Madison, James, Sydney and Kailey - all of whom have worked at the store in different roles at different times. “It’s a family place, an old-fashioned place and we try to do business the right way,” said Hindes, who bought the business from local businessman John Pulalski in the early 1980s. With that in mind, Hindes doesn’t shy
u A TEAM, from Page 1 sought. He said the math system at the boxing club could have produced positive results for all of them. “We could have produced fifteen new A or B math students. One of the kids that quit, we got his math grade up to a B, he got on the honor roll for the first time in his life. We got two math teachers at the club and, both of them are phenomenal teachers, we would have split that group of fifteen students up and they could have easily handled 7 or 8 new kids each”. Fudail said when students really need extra help, he brings them in on Mondays and Saturdays if necessary, so that they can get one-on-one assistance from the teachers. “We go the extra mile to produce success. We keep working until we get there. It’s not complicated, it’s good old fashioned hard work and absolute dedication to the mission at hand”. Traditionally, boot camp requires a
minimum of five new recruits. The boxing club had five prior to a young man quitting two months ago. He said boot camp will roll with four this time because he don’t want to deny the young men their opportunity after they worked so hard. “We will proceed with the boot camp. This group is already special and I am confident they all will complete the 6 weeks. We had a strong group in 2010, they earned a 3.65GPA as a group. I think this group will exceed that before the school year is over.”. said Fudail. He said each boot camp is given a squad name. This group #4 is called The A-Team. The name was chosen because they were required to earn an A or B to even participate in the boot camp.”Many of these young men have earned A’s not only in math, but Science and Language Arts, Social Studies and other classes. They all strive for A’s, so the name is appropriate”.
away from the competition from national “big box” retailers like Wal-Mart. In fact, Hindes is more likely to send Sam Walton a thank you letter. Hindes notes that the large retail development on East Sherman, featuring Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, has produced a “highway of cars” driving back and forth past his store on a daily basis. Many of those people have started to stop in at Scott Meats, where he says they will find better quality meats at better prices. One of those satisfied customers is Mike Regeczi, who lives in the Lakeside neighborhood in Muskegon, who was in the store
buying some of Scott’s famous sausage. “It’s a great store, good people and they have some of the best sausage you’re going to find anywhere,” Regeczi said. Hindes invites all of Muskegon’s residents, especially those that drive past his store on their way out to the East Sherman development, to stop in and give Scott Meats a try. “That’s all I can really ask,” said Hindes, a Muskegon Catholic Central High School graduate. “We’ve been in the meat business for a long time and we know how to do it. People are pleasantly surprised when they come here.”
Muskegon Heights Public Schools Academy Systems….Where The Potential of Children and the Vision of the Staff Ignites into an Experience of Fun, Exploration and Discovery.
Muskegon Heights Public Schools Systems Early Childhood Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment Round-up WHEN: Friday, April 26, 2013 10:00am-4:00pm WHERE: Mr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, 600 East Barney Street, Muskegon Heights, MI
Bring these required documents for Early Childhood Pre-K Enrollment •Up-to-Date Shot Record •Official Birth Certificate
•Proof of Income (W-2 form or FIA Statement) •Medical Insurance Card
Your Child must be 3 or 4 on or before Nov. 1, 2013
Bring these required documents for Kindergarten Enrollment •Up-to-Date Shot Record •Official Birth Certificate •Proof of Residency Your Child must be 5 on or before Nov. 1, 2013 If your child will be five years by Dec. 1, 2013, the child’s parent or legal guardian can submit to the local school district by June 1, 2013
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
Twelve-Point Program for Success plan re-educates and re-trains T
he 12-Point Program for Success was established over a decade ago by Boxing Club founder Franklin A. Fudail as an out-line for what the aims and objectives would be for the creation of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. Everything the boxing club has attempted to do or plan to do can be found within one of these 12 points. This outline is a plan of action, a work program that moves beyond theories and rhetoric. This simple outline if read carefully will prove to be so much more than what it appears to be on the surface. This outline moves beyond mentorship or a safe haven program for youth. This is a blueprint on how to re-educate and re-train an entire community.
1.
Acquire a building to run a boxing club, whose true mission is the re-training & re-educating of young men
2.
Establish a Reading & Math program to help members become proficient and make it mandatory for all members
3.
Hire Certified Teachers; Hire only Math teachers with math degrees
4.
Produce a booklet that establishes the laws, morals and code of conduct expected of each member. Promote discipline
5.
Establish a method to enforce the laws and instill the code of conduct. This became known as the 6 week “boot-camp”. Make etiquette & manners training mandatory for all members
6.
Create a ‘language of respect’ among members to create an atmosphere of kindness, courtesy and respect
7.
Set up a method to monitor the academic progress of each member
8.
Incorporate boxing and other forms of self-defense to build the self-esteem of the members
9.
Set a day aside for recreation and group dining
10.
Build self-esteem by teaching young men a proper understanding of history and culture
11.
Create an internal academic awards event, honor’s club and additional academic programs; Recognize excellence
12.
Establish relationships with institutions of higher learning outside of Muskegon to create future opportunities for members
A work program that moves beyond theories and rhetoric
Moving beyond mentorship or a safe haven program for youth
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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Making the grade “They’ve been in school all day and they come in for an hour for more math. It’s a good complement and they are receptive to learning new things. I think it is a great thing for the community. It’s helping young kids and giving them structure they may be lacking in some other places.” Kimberly Tran works with one student one-on-one.
— Kimberly Tran, Program teacher
Math program at Heights Boxing Clubs proves to be rewarding experience By MIKE MATTSON
K
yren Kimball is willing to pay the price for better grades in math. So after a full day of classes at Muskegon Middle School, Kimball heads to the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club to work on his math skills. “Yes, it’s been helpful,” the 15-year-old Kimball said. “I’m here so I can get my grades up in math. It’s fun to me. I really like this program.” Kimball is part of the Muskegon Reading and Math Academy at the boxing club. The program was launched in 2010 by Melody Lane Franklin Fudail currently helps young men ages 10 to 15 years old. The Math Program is the signature course offered at the boxing club, with certified math teachers giving instruction to students three days a week after school. Melody Lane has been a tutor for almost two years at the club. She emphasizes the basics and brings students along at their pace. “I tutor kids where they need it,” Lane said. “I test on basic skill and try to bring them up to par if they are behind. I try to get the ones who are behind up to the school levels where they should be.” Kimberly Tran recently took over as the
regular math teacher for Fudail, who offers the program to students for free. Tran likes the fact Fudail offers fun at the boxing club, but that he also is serious when it comes to math. Kimberly Tran “The kids know what is expected of them,” said Tran, who has a degree in math and accounting. “There is structure and discipline. They come in and they are held accountable. There are consequences for not following the rules.” Lane, who considers the program a good supplement to regular math classes, has seen many positive results. “When I started in the program, there was a student who didn’t understand and he’d just put his head down,”said Lane, who has degrees in math and biology. “I showed him a different way and he got so excited. I saw another light bulb go on with multiplications because he understands that.” Of course, there are challenges for Tran and Lane. Sometimes, it’s hard to get students to stay focused after a full day of school. And sometimes, it takes a while for the material to register. “A lot of kids want to play and some kids drop out when they find out they have to do some work,” Lane said. “And there is the challenge for school in general. If you have
Melody Lane working with a group of students.
a kid already frustrated by education, they are hard to motivate. If they get a little success, you will see improvement.” Alante Grider, who is 10 years old, likes fractions and has been having success with the math program. “At first, I was a little off track, but this has brought me up to where I am supposed to be,” Grider said. His math grade increased from a D+ to a solid B. The math program runs all year round and gives students the opportunity to catch up if they fall behind in certain areas.
It’s proven to be a rewarding experience for all, especially the teachers. “They’ve been in school all day and they come in for an hour for more math,” Tran said. “It’s a good complement and they are receptive to learning new things. I think it is a great thing for the community. It’s helping young kids and giving them structure they may be lacking in some other places.” “When the kids see success, it builds confidence,” Lane said. “And the confidence helps in other areas besides math.”
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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Bridge to success
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The A-Team: Boxing Club participates in 2013 West Point Bridge Design Contest
ne of the highlights of the Muskegon wanted to get my youngest members going with the hopes of winning the scholarship Heights Boxing Club’s visit to the prize in 5 years. They have years to master U.S. Military Academy at West Point last the Bridge Design. Both are strong in year was meeting COL Stephen Ressler, who is the head of the Department of Civil Math. They will do just fine”. Fudail said he was first made aware of and Mechanical Engineering at West Point. the Bridge Design Contest last year by COL Ressler upon being notified of the West Point graduate Douglas Mc Dowell. boxing club’s arrival, made it a point to It was Mc Dowell, who arranged for the come and meet the young boxers and to boxing club to visit the Academy. He is discuss and instruct the young men on the a registered Professional Engineer in the Bridge Design program, he created. State of Michigan. The Bridge He also heads the Design software West Point Urban allows for particiLeadership Initiapants to design and tive Program. build the most cost Fudail has one effective bridge of the boxing club possible, while members that vismaintaining the ited West Point last structural integyear supervising rity appropriate for the two 5th graders. withstanding a load Richard Slaughtest without comter, who serves ponent failure. as Team Captain The purpose and Team Lieutenof the West Point West Point Bridge Designer software ant Alante Grider Bridge Design provides tools to model, test, and optimize both 5th graders Contest is to proa steel highway bridge, based on realistic at Timberland vide middle school specifications, constraints, and perforCharter Academy and high school mance criteria. It introduces students to are representing the students with a engineering through an authentic, handsboxing club. They realistic, engagon design experience. are competing uning introduction to der the name The engineering. A-Team1. Richard has expressed interest They learn about engineering through a realistic, hands-on problem-solving experi- in attending West Point. He said he enjoys the challenge of the Bridge design Contest ence, they learn about the engineering and is looking forward to competing in design process, the application of math, years to come. science and technology to create devices Founded in 1802, the United States and systems that meet human needs, they Military Academy at West Point was the learn about truss bridges and how they work and they learn how engineers use the first school in the U.S. to offer a formal program of instruction in engineering. computer as a problem-solving tool. During the first half of the 19th century, The first place prize is $10,000 scholarcivil engineering was the foundation of the ship and the second place winner takes West Point curriculum. Academy graduhome $5,000. To be eligible participants ates of that era designed and built many of must be at least 13 years old. the young nation’s railroads, bridges, harAccording to Franklin Fudail, the Musbors and roads. The Bridge Design Contest kegon Heights Boxing Club entered two commemorates West Point’s engineering of its youngest members to compete this heritage and its role ind developing the year with an eye on developing them for nation’s infrastructure. the future. “We have older members, but I
Col. Stephen Ressler discusses the Bridge Design software with members of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club last year during a visit to the U.S. Military Academy.
Members of the A-Team is joined by boxing club member Julius Scott during a Bridge Design session at the boxing club. The contest is conducted on-line. Last year over 10,000 teams competed and over 28,000 unique bridge designs were submitted.
“We have older members, but I wanted to get my youngest members going with the hopes of winning the scholarship prize in 5 years. They have years to master the Bridge Design. Both are strong in Math. They will do just fine”. — Franklin A. Fudail, Boxing Club founder
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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Science is a ‘knock out’ at the Heights Boxing Club
USKEGON HEIGHTS - What happens when you mix a sodium bicarbonate like baking soda with acetic acid like vinegar? Ask any member of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club and they will tell you the perfect volcano science experiment for school. At least once a month the math dominated boxing club is dedicating time to the exploration of Science. Each member will have a month where they are responsible for conducting and explaining a science experiment to their fellow boxing club members. To make the project official, members are provided with safety glasses and a white lab coat. The goal of this initiative is to eliminate the stigma that a lot of kids have toward science. The number one complaint is boredom and the number two complaint charge against science is its difficulty. Boxing Club member Alante Grider, a 5th grader at Timberland Charter Academy currently holds an A in Science. He says he enjoys Science at school. “Its interesting because its different and you are allowed to move around and work in a group. I like using materials to try to build things”. Boxing Club chief Franklin Fudail says he hopes to cultivate and motivate young minds like Alante, who is earning A’s in Science by letting him know he should be proud of doing well in Science and that Science is a subject that is respected the world over. “A lot of potential Scientists are loss, simply because no one recognized their potential when they were young and enjoying school”, says Fudail. “Its important that adults encourage a kids talent outside of sports and entertainment. A kid that can
Boxing Club member Kyren Kimball, an 8th grader at Muskegon Middle School works on a Science experiment at the boxing club. Kyren said he looks forward to the next experiment, which will involve generating electricity from two potatoes. sing may end up doing a solo at church and all the adults will tell them how wonderful they are. A kid who has a knack for math or science or any non-entertaining talent may never be recognized by the same congregation”. At the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club, Science is recognized and excellence awarded. The boxing club issues out large trophies
and certificates for academic excellence in math and science. But Fudail says the most effective award is his high praise for excellence. “I let them know how proud I am of them. I use words like scholar, brilliant and I call them a Scientist. I call them a genius. I understand the power of encouragement and of expectations and I put it to full use with these young men”, says Fudail.
The boxing club is hoping to purchase its own telescope by the end of spring, so that the kids can explore the universe. Fudail says he is not planning to run regular science classes, because he feels the success in math will automatically increase success in science. “A good math student can typically handle science and a good science student is typically good at math”, says Fudail. He says from the very beginning science has been a part of the boxing program. During week six, the final week of boot camp members are required to learn and recite on demand a list of scientific facts. The list is included in the Basic Conduct & Commands booklet, the official training manual for the club. Last year the boxing club had the privilege of attending a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Program at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Fudail recalls the director of the program talking to him about the importance of Science. “I remember her telling me to make science fun for the kids”. Last year Fudail did just that when he hosted the first Barbara J. Matthews Summer Empowerment Program for Girls. He brought in a Kalamazoo based company called Mad Science for 2 days to conduct science experiments with the girls. For now, he says he is letting the young men direct the monthly activities. “This effort belongs to them and the best way to insure they will enjoy it is to let them lead and create the ideas. Who knows what they may come up with when they are allowed to be creative, that’s what this is all about”.
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10 Years of
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
Hope, Sacrifice and Success 2003: December - Entered into agreement to lease facility for boxing club 2004: March - Held first interest meeting at
Muskegon Heights High School May - Hosted TV Judge Greg Mathis for first fundraiser July - Sponsored six members to attend academic program at Central State University in Ohio August - Held boxing show at Little River Casino as second fund raiser
2005: July - August, November held boxing shows to help complete renovation of facility
2006: A slow year for the boxing club 2007: Sponsored a Male Empowerment Summit at Muskegon Heights High School.
2008: A slow year for the boxing club 2009: August - Sponsored first “Math Camp� featuring Mathematician Shahid Muhammad of Chicago
2010: July - Conducted first 6 week
boot camp August - Hosted Beach, Boxing & BBQ event at Pere Marquette beach September - Hired Dr. John H. Butler as Director of Boxing Program October - Kicked off free reading and math program
2011: March - Sponsored second
Math Camp; membership at all time high of 27 kids June - Started work/Entrepreneur program October - Started Chess Program
2012: April - Scott Meats become of-
ficial sponsor of reading & math program; visited The U.S. Military Academy at West Point July - August, 1st annual Empowerment Program for Girls December - Held academic awards at gym
2013: April - Release first news publication dedicated to the boxing club
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
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Fridays means
Fun, Food and Fellowship T
at the boxing club
he members of the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club work hard all week in school and after school attending reading and math classes at the gym. So its only fair that at least one day of the week be set aside for a little fun. Since 2010, that day has been Friday. Also known as “free day”. Pizzas, Steak & Cheese subs, cheese bread, cup cakes, ice cream and bowls full of Snicker bars, Twix bars, M&M’s, brownies and cheese cake represent a typical week’s dining menu. Members favorite past time on Friday is the half court basketball games inside the gym, followed by video games and touch football. The kids arrive at 4:30pm and the activities start right away according to club President Franklin Fudail. “Some of the kids — Franklin A. Fudail, go and play video games in the classroom, Boxing Club founder while others hit the basketball court. Its their day, so I try to stay out of the way”. At around 5:00pm, Fudail will walk into the classroom, then into the gym and say, them in the very beginning that no one is “you brothers ready to eat”, and the kids to be the victim of jokes or ridicule. Our say in sync “yes sir”. And staying true to the training they receive at the gym, without culture at the gym is special, its not what people would expect, to fully appreciate it instruction, they orderly line up at the bathyou have to come and experience it. Even in room door and one by one enter and wash the midst of a recreational day, there is order their hands. and respect. This is all because of the trainThe food surrounds them and there is ofing”, says Fudail. ten more than they can The recreational day handle. Fudail says is so valued by the kids he always make sure that it is a means of there is plenty. “They punishment if necescan eat, but sometimes sary. “If a kid is not its just too much for taking care of business them because all the in school or a parent time they are stuffing tells me that a kid is down that pizza or sub talking back at home, I they are trying to save use the threat of Friday room for the cheese suspensions. They don’t cake or brownies. want to be suspended They have full access to a boat load of Each member is given their own birthday on Friday, so they will straighten up”. foods and snacks that cake serve with ice cream. There have The only time the kids like, so its really been four birthdays, so far in 2013. boxing club will have a celebration other fun for them”, says Fudail. than on Friday is on a kids birthday. During The kids often sit at the table for up to birthdays, members get their own custom45 minutes laughing and having fun. They ized cake and the members enjoy it with ice talk about wrestling, the latest video games, cream after class. Fudail says with a group sports and movies. This is the one day they of kids its always someones birthday. “We can give math a break at the gym. Fudail says the kids are taught Friday pro- keep decorative birthday plates and napkins in stock at the gym. There has been four tocol at the very beginning, when they first birthday parties this year along with another join. They know jokes on fellow members is forbidden. And if everyone does not leave one coming up in April”, said Fudail. Fudail says he enjoys seeing the kids happy, the day was not successful. enjoy themselves. “We basically have a big “The day is for fun and I have to teach
“We basically have a big family dinner once a week with a lot of food and laughter at the dinner table.”
Members lined up to be served dinner on a Friday evening. family dinner once a week with a lot of food and laughter at the dinner table. Some of the kids are from Muskegon, some from Muskegon Heights, we have had
kids from most school districts in the County in the gym at some time or another and they all got along and had fun on Fridays at the gym”.
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Members enjoying the video game before dinner.
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
Heights Boxing Club purchases University of Michigan shuttle bus A
NN ARBOR - The finishing touches are being completed on the 20 passenger shuttle bus acquired by the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club. The Eldorado shuttle bus was purchased by a boxing associate of Club President Franklin A. Fudail, “A boxing club owner in Ann Arbor who I know purchased two shuttle buses from the University of Michigan and offered me one at the price he paid, another friend of mine who lives in Ypsilanti had the vehicle mechanically inspected and assured me it was a great bargain. I knew if my friend said it was good, it was good. His word is solid. I had photos sent to me and I decided to purchase the bus, we got an unbelievable deal”, says Fudail. Fudail actually purchased the bus in
2011 and it was stored in Ypsilanti by his friend. A few months ago Fudail hired Ramos and Sons to tow the bus back to Muskegon. “The bus runs great, but I wasn’t going to drive a big bus back to Muskegon in the winter, Ramos and Sons gave me a awesome rate”. Currently the bus is getting upgrades such as new brakes and a paint job that will get rid of the “maize and blue”trimming. “No disrespect to the Wolverines”, laughs Fudail. “But our colors are silver and black. I think I will leave the bus all white once I remove the maize and blue”. Part of the proceeds from this publication will go toward completing the bus and getting it road ready. The bus will be used for road trips and allow the boxing club members to attend events via one vehicle.
Boxing Club now on facebook ‘Accomplishments’ T Booklet available May 1
T
he Muskegon Heights Boxing Club/ Reading & Math program will release its annual accomplishment booklet dedicated to highlighting the successes of the program for the past 12 months. The 2010-11 booklet was 16 pages and demonstrated with content and photos the mission and work of the program. The new booklet is estimated to be 24 pages and will highlight 201213 achievements such as the continuation of the reading and math program, honor roll students produced by the program, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point visit, the Summer Empowerment program for girls, the new Science program and countless examples of academic excellence produced by the program. The Program founder says its important for him to ‘show and prove’ the success of the program and make it available for the community. “Our program is resultsoriented. I think its important to annually produce our results. We don’t focus
on fluff, we will show you the honor roll students we produced. We claim no easy victories, every victory is hard fought and well-deserved”. Fudail said his aim with this program booklet was not sentimental, but to show without a doubt that the right philosophy, programs and principles have produced young men that not only achieve, but excel. “A lot of people, a whole lot of people in our community only have faith in the athletic or artistic or entertaining abilities of these young men. So if its playing basketball or football they believe our kids can win, if its poetry or blowing a horn we can do that, if its dancing or rapping and singing of course we can do that. I declared to this community that we would master mathematics and I believe with all my heart we will be successful”.
Help Our Kids become better in Reading & Math! Support the Reading & Math program at the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club
Call: 231-683-6837 email: muskegontribune@gmail.com
he Muskegon Heights Boxing Club has officially entered the modern world of social media. The facebook page for the boxing club is up and operating. The site is being managed and maintained by long-time Journalist Joe Walker, a native of Muskegon who resides in Lansing, Michigan. Walker said the page will highlight the academic programs at the boxing club and highlight the academic achievement of the members.
Joe Walker set the page up and will be the official Social Media Manager for the Boxing Club. The public can also expect to see the latest happenings within the program, such as special events, membership sign-up dates and information about the reading and math assistance.
The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
Hidden Jewel
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Boxing Club classroom offers visual history
M
USKEGON HEIGHTS - Drive past the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club at night, and if the lights are on, you can clearly see inside the gym. The full size boxing ring, punching bags and weight equipment are all visible. What many people never see without visiting inside the gym is right next to the training area is the classroom area, fully equipped with student desks, a marker board, conference table, library shelves and arguably the largest and most unique collection of Black history photos, art and images in Muskegon County. The collection which boast 250 plus images on the wall and according to the boxing club “another 50-75 framed photos still in boxes”. Unlike traditional boxing clubs where prize fighters adorn the walls. At the Mus-
kegon Heights Boxing Club you are more likely to see a photo of Marcus Garvey than Mike Tyson. The classroom is where the reading and math program is operated from and is considered the most important area in the building. The room currently has historical images ranging from ancient Africa to the 2004 visit of TV Judge Greg Mathis. The collection was gathered from all over the country and even boast to have a set of photos sent from Jerusalem. Photos were purchased from sources ranging from a research Professor at the University of Notre Dame, the Harvard University Museum, the University of Oklahoma archives and private collectors from New York to Portland, Oregon. Unlike similar collections, the Boxing Club’s visual history chronicles far more
triumphs than tragedies and is intended to inspire the young men and motivate them to rise to higher feats. Cindy Fairfield, former Sports Editor of the Muskegon Chronicle wrote about the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club in August 2004 and put it best, “if it was about boxing, it would be just another sports story. But, the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club is about much more than that”.
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Muskegon Public Schools 349 W. Webster Avenue • Muskegon, MI 49440 (231) 720-2000
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
“The aim is not just to do some physical training, I am trying to instill a set of morals and values or at least plant some higher moral ideas into their minds. I really try to teach strong during this 6 week process.”
Boxing Club member Richard Slaughter,a 5th grader at Timberland Charter Academy practices for the upcoming boot camp. Richard earned a spot on Boot Camp Team 4 by earning a B in Math at Timberland.
— Franklin A. Fudail, Boxing Club founder
Boot-Camp
New recruits prepare for six-week
S
ince 2010 young men interested in joining the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club have had to endure 6 weeks of moral and physical training. Prospective members are required to study and master the club’s rules and regulations laid out in the Basic Conduct & Commands booklet written by the boxing club’s founder. The small booklet is divided into five sections: restrictive laws, code of conduct, language of respect, basic commands and actual facts. Each week members will be drilled for the entire week on a single chapter and tested on the six and final week of training. In addition to the outlined program within the booklet, members learn Citizen CPR, military drill and receive formal etiquette, manners and moral training. In the past 80-85% of the prospects failed to complete the full six weeks. The major obstacle was not physical, but lack of discipline and the inability to make the necessary behavioral adjustments. This year’s boot camp required members to prequalify for a boot camp slot by maintaining active and good standing membership status for at least 90 days, attend all reading and math classes during the 90 day period, be subjected to academic surveillance, which is when the club founder meets with teachers on a regular basis to insure correct and appropriate behavior at school and earn an A or B
in math at their respective schools prior to the first day of book camp. Boxing Club founder and boot camp architect Franklin Fudail said he made the process more difficult to increase a kid’s chances for success. “It may sound odd to say we are making it more difficult to increase there chances for success, but I believe it will. In the past, I would rush and get a kid going in boot camp. In retrospect I realized a lot of them just were not ready for such a disciplined program. Once they found out it was serious they disappeared shortly after. Those kids should have never been able to start, I have learned better after three years of doing this. The group I have now probably will have a 90-100% chance of completing. They have already been tried and tested”. The new boot camp group will be entirely uniformed by the boxing club, a cost according to Fudail is right around $125 per prospect. The uniform consist of military BDU pants and jacket, combat boots, hat, gloves and a coat or jacket during the fall, winter or spring months. This will be the club’s fourth boot-camp since 2010 and may be the last one conducted by Fudail, who says he enjoys the process, but its too demanding on his schedule. “The entire process is too time consuming for me and it negatively affects my business. Its 6 weeks for them, but also 6 weeks for me. I got to always try to balance my schedule to meet
my business obligations, because it’s the business that sustains the program.” Fudail also said he has to be ready everyday to make the most of the process. “The aim is not just to do some physical training, I am trying to instill a set of morals and values or at least plant some higher moral ideas into their minds. I really try to teach strong during this 6 week process. We have a certain culture at the program that must be taught to and practiced by the me bers. No kid walks in the door with these ideas and code of conduct, this is discipline 101 I teach”. “Sometimes I got to get myself ready mentally. Boot camp is never cancelled. We’ve done boot camps in the summer, fall and winter and they all got their pros and cons. This will be the first spring boot camp, so it will be muddy and wet once we hit the outdoor obstacle course”. Fudail said the idea behind the boot camp is to “adjust attitudes” and get the young men ready to learn by directly teaching self-discipline and basic moral tenets. Fudail said he expects this group to be the most successful although they are on average younger. “All the new group members have met rigorous academic demands I placed on them. They have solid home support and they enjoy coming to the gym. That’s 90% of the battle, the other 10% is the easy part”.
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1,000 DAYS!
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The Muskegon Tribune, April 2013
Reading & Math program approaching milestone
USKEGON HEIGHTS — What the Muskegon Heights Boxing Club Reading & Math program lacks in resources, it makes up in resolve and determination. At the end of the school year the program will achieve something that speaks to the commitment and sacrifice of its founder. The free program will reach 1,000 days of offering this community gem free of charge. The journey, which started 10 years ago has been bittersweet according to the founder and he doubts it will be around another decade. “This effort takes a lot of resources, time and commitment. It has taken a lot of resolve not to fold. Its a major financial load and the challenge of staying motivated when the people you are trying to help are not motivated. This is definitely unsustainable the way it is, but it is also unprecedented for an individual to personally finance tutoring for the community. If it stopped today, I doubt any one person would rush to do what I do. This is a job no body wants”,
said founder Franklin Fudail. The tutoring program, which got under way in 2010 has helped young men in the critical areas of reading and math. Fudail, the programs founder said the need is over-whelming, but the support is almost non-existent. “Everyone in the community knows that our kids are struggling with reading and math The State of Michigan test scores come out every year and every year the urban schools are on the bottom. Obviously for the community fixing this problem is not a priority”, says Fudail, who believes Muskegon’s urban communities are locked into a culture of mediocrity that has to be trained out of the kids. “For about three years we have not only tutored in reading and math, but we have introduced a new culture of excellence and expectations that many young men has responded to. The community could learn something from our model, but time is running out”.
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