Boxing began before the time of Jesus Christ, during the times of the Sumerians in the 3rd millennium BC. Considered a formal sport, boxing became an Olympic event in the 23rd Olympiad (688 BC).

Also known as pugilism or prizefighting, the outdoor contest was not without blood and injuries. In ancient days, there were no rounds, death occurred at times. (Britannica)

Later, the Romans enhanced the gladiatorial sport for their colosseum events by adding pieces of sharp metal to boxing gloves, which would inflict greater damage on an opponent.

With the rise of Christianity’s influence and the decline of the Roman Empire, boxing closed its ring for several centuries.

The British renewed the sport in the late 1600s and boxing crossed the Atlantic to New England in the 1700s.

By the late 1880s, United States’ colleges kept boxing inhouse as an intramural sport.

During World War I, boxing began to be used for training the United States military.

After the war, the sport of boxing became an intercollegiate contest to ready young men. By 1930, 100 universities had teams. Former President Gerald Ford was once a boxing coach at Yale University. http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-gerald-ford

In 1960, University of Wisconsin boxer Charlie Mohr died in a boxing-related death.

At that point, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) withdrew its support of the sport and intercollegiate boxing ceased for a few decades.

Only recently have colleges reopened their rings to boxing teams and clubs.

Kevin Cryderman, the National Light Heavyweight Champion in the beginner division, states that “the hiatus is over.” The United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) was formed in 2012 by boxing coaches and students who wanted the renewal of a safe, amateur boxing league. The USIBA is associated with USA Boxing.

19-year-old Cryderman boxes with the Renegade Boxing Club at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee. He sees the sport as very competitive.

Kevin Cryderman hails from Martin County, Florida. He grew up in Jensen Beach on the Atlantic’s Treasure Coast. Kevin loves competing and the roughness of boxing. In high school, he played football and grew used to the yearly conditioning of his body and the disciplining of the mind.

Boxing itself involves speed, endurance and strength when standing alone against an opponent.

At Florida State Cryderman spends approximately five hours a day, five days a week getting fit to fight. Three hours are given to building strength in the weight room and two more are designated to boxing skills practice.

There are a variety of blows in boxing; Cryderman cites the “overhand right” as his best. He feints a “body shot,” then comes over the top from the back with his backhand which is his “power hand.”

A Light Heavyweight, Cryderman usually must cut his weight down to 178 pounds. Combined with his workout, using the sauna and eating well will help him drop unnecessary weight.

Cryderman states, “Not everyone can keep up the discipline, learn the necessary skills and develop fortitude.”

The university boxing clubs and teams are divisional: Beginner, Novice and Open. As a former Beginner, Cryderman returns to Florida State for the 2015-2016 season as a Novice with experience behind his Championship belt.

In the ring the athletes wear headgear, 14oz gloves, and a mouth guard for protection.

The Renegades’ coach, Dr. Joab Corey, an economics professor, had Cryderman try out. Dr. Corey is a former amateur boxer, professional sparring partner, and was a coach for West Virginia University’s Boxing Team. Kevin adds that Corey competed in the Golden Gloves, which is the road to the Olympics.

Vincent Giovannoni is the endurance coach. A marathoner, he leads the team on early morning runs and teaches boxing skills in the gym.

“Florida State never walks away without winning a belt,” states Cryderman. He won his own Championship at a three-day tournament at the University of Michigan. Each day he had to fight. Each day he won.

Unlike other sports, boxing has no timeouts. The fighter must continue until the bell rings.

Cryderman has learned that discipline of the mind, the will and the body, working together, pay off. Endurance, whether to run the good race or fight the good fight, is what matters. Cryderman is learning skills not just for boxing, but about life—what it takes to get through, no matter the pain, no matter the nerves, the fear, or the fatigue.

Boxing is not a sport one plays, it is a sport of determination which becomes a way of life. To be better than the next boxer, a personal decision must be made to move forward, quelling doubts while building confidence.

Kevin Cryderman has done this; he has learned how to work hard and overcome obstacles.

Between workouts, Cryderman studies. He is a history major and intends to become a high school history teacher, and is considering returning to Jensen Beach to teach. Cryderman is the son of Lisa Cryderman, a local Stuart Middle School teacher and Clark Cryderman, a civil engineer and former college football player.

Hometown Heroes: Boxer Donny Poole And His Wife Allison

HAVE A HERO TIP? Send your Hometown Hero tip to Kelly Jadon: kfjadon@gmail.com

BackLook: The solitary 40-ish woman trudged one very cold night down Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach, only a few miles inland from the Atlantic. In one hand that extended downward, she lugged two water jugs; with the other she carried a four-month-old baby. Alone. That’s what she was, until a neighborhood couple pulled over and offered help.

That afternoon, Donny Poole climbed into the backseat of his car so that his wife could drive the wary woman and her nursing baby home.

Donny and Allison Poole; Photo Credit: Kelly Jadon

Moving away from an abusive boyfriend, Sheila* had arrived in Florida expecting shelter in her aunt’s empty apartment and use of her car. But the homeowners’ association did not allow anyone under 50 to reside within their gates.

Sheila managed to find a room to rent, but still had no car. No car, no work. And no work meant a government agency crawling down her neck threatening to take away little Joey*.

Donny and his wife Allison continued to give Sheila lifts when they found her traveling by foot. Eventually, the couple fronted the single mother the price of a used car. Today, Sheila’s baby is still safely residing with her.

Homeless families are a rising problem in the United States. Homeless Children America (an affiliate of American Institutes for Research) reports that during the course of a year, 1.6 million children are homeless. In Florida, where the Pooles reside, the number of homeless children is 83,900. Causes of homelessness include poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, low-paying jobs, lack of affordable housing, mental illness and the lack of needed services, substance abuse, and prisoner re-entry. The Pooles have demonstrated through their act of love that it doesn’t always take much to make a difference.

Donny Poole is a welcome name inside the boxing ring. A welterweight, Donny took Gold in the 1979 Canadian Winter Games. Afterward in 1980, representing his native Canada, he was chosen to participate in the Olympics (USSR) as an amateur, until all free countries chose to boycott the Games. So instead, Donny turned pro. For 16 years he fought all over the world, achieving a rank of #2 in the world. Donny Poole is a member of the Boxing Hall of Fame. His gloves and belts hang proudly on a trophy wall in his home.

Allison Poole is a former art and creative director at New York City ad agencies. She met Donny when he came to NYC to fight. As he was unable to negotiate his way around the subway system quickly, Allison was appointed his ambassador. Twenty-nine days later Donny asked Allison to marry him. They have been married 30 years.

Together they have helped many hard-up people in need: purchasing clothing, shoes and sunglasses for a homeless man; paying the vet bills for an indigent man’s dog; and one time Donny gave the coat he was wearing to a man without one in the cold NYC winter.

Allison states, “I would like people to know they can do what we do; if they see something that needs attention, do not assume the person, or family, or child, or dog, will be taken care of by someone else. It is a chance for them to do something. Step up and make a difference in another person’s life. If they see someone at the grocery store and they are short some money, forced to pick items out to bring the tally down – step up and pay the person’s bill. If an old person can’t dig up any more change from the bottom of their bag at the pharmacy – stand up and pay the price difference – or all of it for that matter. It is common decency. A pure act of selflessness. The kindness you provide will make you feel great and bring pure joy to the person you have helped. Let’s all remember, ‘There but for the grace of God, go I,’ and do something about it.”

To many, Donny and Allison Poole are a very unusual couple. They have given money, furniture, their time, and their love to those in need. It isn’t fame that makes a difference, nor is it money. It is the heart. Today in Florida, a child was saved. Truly those who help another in need are our Hometown Heroes.

*Names changed to protect the mother and child

HAVE A HERO TIP? Hometown Heroes are in every town and city. They are regular people who have made a positive difference in their community impacting others for the better. Send your Hometown Hero tip to Kelly Jadon kfjadon@gmail.com

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© 2013 "Hometown Heroes" Kelly Jadon