DONATE TO THE GREG STROBEL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
SUPPORT ALL USA WRESTLING MEMBERS
After Greg’s passing, his family reached out to USA Wrestling Executive Director, Rich Bender. The goal was simple, keep Greg Strobel’s values alive in the hearts and minds of the USA Wrestling Community.
Since that day, the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy (GSLA) has worked with National Team Coaches and Athletes to determine “gaps” in athlete support with a focus on areas not traditionally covered by coaches and training staff.
WHY GSLA?
OUR MISSION at USA Wrestling is to help our members reach their full human and athletic potential. This means training in areas that are not just “on the mats.”
GSLA makes additional resources and training opportunities available so that coaches, athletes, and officials can fill in performance gaps by reducing the “noise” that can cause stress and distractions.
According to psychology research at the University of Texas at Austin, “High levels of the stress hormone cortisol play a critical role in blocking testosterone's influence on competition and domination.”
CURRENT TARGET AREAS AND RESOURCES
OUR SUPPORT is directly linked to areas that staff, athletes, coaches, and officials have currently identified as “stressors” in their lives:
- Finances, Time Management and Decision Making (banking, budgets, savings, taxes, small business operations/support, etc.)
- Counseling and Emotional Support (stress, anxiety and emotional support for athletes, their families, and their support systems, etc.)
- Career and Leadership (helping athletes prepare pathways for careers in/outside of coaching via mentorship and communication support, etc.)
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE
7-week online course
6 USA Wrestling Certified Coaches as Team Leads with special guests of USA Wrestling Staff, Coaches, and Senior Team Athletes
14 athletes of all backgrounds and ability levels
WE ARE CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT where mindfulness, positive relationships, and leadership principles are discussed. We introduce up and coming young leaders into larger group settings where they see other leaders, like them, and stimulate challenging thoughts and perspectives together.
ATHLETE QUOTES ON ALDC:
“My favorite thing was being able to get different perspectives, thoughts, and views from other wrestlers around the country.” Korina B
“This course has given me more confidence in myself.” Hannah O
“My favorite part of this course was watching everyone open up and really get into each discussion we had.” Nathan P
“The most important thing I learned is how important it is to empathize with others to make them feel like they aren’t alone in any situation.” Zach S
Athlete Advisory Council Leadership Award ($1,500 each)
2022 Johnny Stefanowicz & Veronica Carlson
2023 Mallory Velte & Nate Engel
Coaching Support at Annual USA Wrestling Silver College
2023 supported 6 female coaches by covering clinic fees.
2024 supporting 10 coaches covering clinic fees based on essay re: GSLA 4 pillars.
YOUTH LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT MODEL (ADM)
THE ADM utilizes long-term athlete development principles as its framework.
USA Wrestling’s ADM is an athlete-centered, coach-enhanced, administrator-supported framework that aims to help all individuals realize their full human and athletic potential while utilizing sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle.
These principles are founded on sports science and physical education best practices.
The Youth ADM focuses on coaching concepts working with athletes ages 12 and Under.
Key goals for this age group are recruitment and retention of athletes in a safe and fun environment.
Both the U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity and Aspen Institute’s Project Play Report Card on Youth Sports have issued concern and solutions. USA Wrestling and the USOPC believe that the ADM is one of those solutions.
The Greg Strobel Leadership Academy is a training and development program focused on supporting all our USA Wrestling Members by learning, discussing, and sharing experiences around the core values of family, accountability, discipline, and creating a lifetime of good habits.
Funds raised for this program will directly support recognition of leadership, the development of content, a guest lecture series, and other program expenses.
Greg Strobel was an outstanding athlete, coach, mentor and ambassador to the sport of wrestling. The effect he had on the sport of wrestling is just as important as the impact he had on peoples' lives off the mat. His passion for the sport superseded wins, records, or awards as his focus lied in the preservation and continued development of wrestling, its athletes, and those that love the sport.
Every year Greg challenged himself to make his college wrestling weight to demonstrate the importance of Discipline, Accountability and A Lifetime of Good Habits, while also enriching the lives of others by fostering positive relationships, making connections, and creating a Family atmosphere within the wrestling communities he served. He loved this sport. More so, he loved the people who shared in his adoration of what the principles of wrestling teach others.
To honor his commitment of creating and teaching others a Lifetime of Good Habits, the Greg Strobel ‘30-day Challenge’ has been named in his honor. Funds raised go directly to the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy, which has been created to continue Greg’s legacy of teaching others and unleashing full human potential in all areas of life.
The 30-Day Challenge runs annually from mid-February to mid-March.
Get involved or donate today!
Follow Us!
Twitter: @StrobelLegacy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/246251190234994
Instagram: @strobel_legacy_project
To learn more about GSLA
Contact Mike Clayton, USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) Manager at MClayton@USAWrestling.org