Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how tough it’s becoming for kids—especially those from low-income families—to get involved in sports like wrestling. The economy isn’t kind right now. Families are stretched thin trying to keep the lights on and food on the table. Meanwhile, in schools across the country, we’re seeing vaping and drug use on the rise. Kids are fighting battles most adults couldn’t handle, and many of them just need a place to belong—a team, a coach, a mat.
I was one of those kids. When I was nine years old, I’d walk nearly two miles to and from youth football practice, carrying borrowed equipment that was falling apart. The ear pads in my helmet were taped together, and my facemask was missing screws. But I showed up, because sports gave me purpose and direction when life didn’t offer much else.
That’s why this matters to me. I see kids now who are exactly who I was. And too often, I also see barriers standing in their way—high club fees, tournament registrations, mandatory memberships, and the endless costs that come with trying to chase a dream.
As I scroll through social media, it feels like everything in wrestling is selling something—gear, camps, clinics, merch, technique videos. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the sport grow, and I understand businesses need to stay afloat. I even run MAT CLASH: The Card Game, which is a low-ticket item meant to inspire kids to love wrestling in a fun way. But somewhere along the line, we’ve started putting profit above purpose.
We can do better. We must do better.
Not every change has to be huge. Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference:
- Pass your shoes or singlets down to a kid who needs them.
- Clubs and training centers—keep working with families who are struggling.
- USA Wrestling and AAU—consider implementing a scholarship membership for kids whose parents fall under a certain income threshold.
- Stop charging kids for “early weigh-ins.”
- Create local gear drives before each season.
Organizations like Beat the Streets are doing incredible work giving underprivileged kids opportunities through wrestling. But they can’t be everywhere. Opportunity shouldn’t only arise if you happen to live in the right location. Every community should take on some of that same mission—to make sure no kid is left behind just because of their zip code.
It’s time we, as a wrestling community, choose purpose over profit. These kids don’t need another sales pitch—they need an opportunity. They need a place that believes in them even when life doesn’t.
Wrestling changes lives. Let’s make sure every kid—no matter where they come from—has the chance to step on the mat and find that out for themselves.
God bless,
Jesse Drennen
Founder MAT CLASH Wrestling Corp.
