Youth Wrestling Program Coming to New Haven

An East Haven wrestling coach stumbled across a New York City-based after-school wrestling program, and is now bringing the program to New Haven. It promises to keep at-risk youths safe and point them in a positive direction.

'Beat the Streets Wrestling' is being steered by Hamden resident Nathan Stadig, a wrestling coach who has taught at Joseph Melillo Middle School for the last five years.

In March, Stadig came across the program while browsing the website of USA Wrestling, the national governing body for amateur wrestling.

“I thought it was an awesome idea, spoke with [program] chairman Al Bevilacqua and we agreed to establish a program in the New Haven area,” said Stadig, who wrestles on his own time when not teaching. “It would serve as a bridge between Boston and New York, with me as executive director for the branch,” he said.

The program started in the Big Apple about five years ago and has since spread to five major cities in the United States.

Stadig hopes that the program will help inspire kids the same way the sport motivated him when he was growing up.

“I had wrestled for four years in high school,” he said. “My father influenced me to pursue the sport – I was a little guy and was getting my butt kicked. It was a good way to gain some self-confidence.”

“Once I started, I said, ‘This is the sport for me,’” said Stadig.

Following high school and a five-year tour in the Marine Corps, Stadig landed the coaching position in East Haven.

After talking to Bevilacqua, Stadig secured a partner, Julia Paigo, who had the same dream but for the Hartford area and together they started getting the word out in their local communities.

“The initial response was huge, prompting us to locate respective facilities,” Stadig said. “I approached New Haven’s Athletic Director Joe Canzanella, and he was very enthusiastic. Thus far, he has offered the use of mats and facilities, though he has yet to define a school location.”

“We’re excited about the possibilities. It can help build fitness levels in our urban students,” Canzanella said, adding that the program would provide a bridge for the pre-high school student athlete before entering a high school wrestling program. 

Stadig said program sponsorships are being offered and two slots have already been filled: one by Kevin Sullivan Building and Remodeling of Branford and another by As Seen on TV in Wallingford.

“Their support will cover nonprofit application fees with the IRS,” Stadig said. “In return, they will receive recognition on our online sites.”

Stadig said the next step is filing nonprofit paperwork. Then, at the end of May, Stadig will meet with Canzanella to hopefully secure a spot with the goal of a summer launch.

“In the meantime, in New Haven, we are starting to hang up registration posters in schools to drive enrollment,” he said. “We’re also looking for additional sponsors to pay for uniforms, gear and cleaning supplies.”

Summing up the program, Stadig said, “It’s a tough sport for tough kids in local inner-city areas and a great character builder, teaching discipline, self-control and self-worth.”