HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Motivated by his son’s interest in wrestling, Michael McAllister is putting in the work to launch a non-profit that will make the sport accessible to all ages in Hopkinsville and Christian County.
McAllister’s love of wrestling started in elementary school, and he continued practicing and competing through high school, even becoming the most winningest wrestler in his high school’s history at the time. He also tried his hand at coaching, but eventually left it all behind to join the military.
Years later, his passion for the sport was reignited while going through a box of his old wrestling gear with his then 4-year-old son, who immediately caught the wrestling bug.
“I had to fight off the tears because I love wrestling…so the fact that my son was interested in something that I used to do and that impacted me so much, was emotional,” McAllister told Christian County Now. The idea for MC Wrestling was born after he struggled to find a consistent competitive environment for his son to wrestle outside of a school program. He quickly took matters into his own hands, eventually deciding to create go the non-profit route.
Funding and getting the ball rolling
“I want it to impact our community in a way that these young people that come through our club are able to go back out into the community more productive, more discipled, motivated, ready to do the work whatever that may be,” said McAllister when sharing the mission of MC Wrestling.
With the support of his wife and the community, he has been raising funds to kick off what he describes as a competitive, youth wrestling club that supplies training opportunities, and hosts tournaments for those between the ages of 4 and 18. He plans to open registration this fall and is hustling to raise enough funds to get started. They have already had a successful bake sale at Hopkinsville Brewing Company and are also selling shirts with many more fundraisers planned.
“We are still very young, and we have a lot of work to do in order to be ready for the upcoming season,” said McAllister. “There’s anxiety, but ultimately if we have to get a used mat and lay it out in our garage, that’s what we are going to do. We are going to do what needs to be done get this thing started.”
While running nonprofit is new to him, he is confident that his passion for the sport and the anticipated excitement from the community will help them launch. To find out about upcoming fundraisers or register a child for the upcoming season, find more information on the MC Wrestling Facebook page.
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