Boxing Club Offers Opportunity for UW–Stevens Point Students

Written by: Ben Babcock

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point senior Gavin Stingle, manages a boxing club from his home garage and hopes to make it an official student organization as it nears its first full year of operation.

“I started the boxing club last fall because I wanted to create an environment where my girlfriend’s kids and I could spend time together,” Stingle said. “They are really into working out, so that inspired me to start looking for punching bags on Facebook Marketplace. I liked the space I created, and then I reached out to the community and it just took off from there.”

Stingle has been boxing and competing since high school. As an undergraduate at UW-Madison, he was a member of the university’s boxing club for three years before moving home and joining a local boxing gym.

During his time with the club, Stingle competed in amateur boxing tournaments sponsored by Golden Gloves of America, a national organization that promotes amateur boxing, and won the 2022 Golden Gloves tournament by knockout.

Last year, Stingle came to UWSP to complete his degree in forestry-ecosystem restoration and management. Now he uses his experience to run his own boxing club, coaching UWSP students and community members alike.

“We are open to the community, and I would say we have an equal split of enrolled students at UWSP, students who are going to nearby technical colleges, and just guys who are working,” Stingle said. “It creates a unique atmosphere with a lot of different perspectives, and it has been a great space for everybody who has come.”

Stingle is applying for USA Boxing certification for his club, which will allow members to participate in USA Boxing competitions and events. He is also coaching four members who want to be ready to compete in the Golden Gloves tournament this spring.

While Stingle enjoys coaching his more experienced members, his favorite moments are those created with individuals who are brand-new to the sport.

“I would say my favorite part is at the end of every first lesson when I get everybody to throw all six punches and they land them on the mitts,” Stingle said. “Just to see the smile that puts on their face. I think they come in, and they don’t have any expectations, and they are walking away feeling confident in what they learned.”

Stingle has equipped his club with gloves, headgear and punching bags, and he is constantly looking for ways to improve his members’ experience.

He welcomes and offers lessons to people regardless of age, gender or experience with boxing.

“I really just try to encourage people who are on the fence to just try it,” he said. “We do a lot by providing the equipment, the gloves for everybody. Starting with people who have no experience to people who have trained in different disciplines and bringing them all together.”

Club and community member Connor Eckes is advancing his own skills while helping Stingle coach new members.

“I know some of our members haven’t touched boxing before, but we are all capable of eventually competing,” Eckes said.

Team member Trevor Bassette, a student at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, has found friendship and discipline at the club and offers high praise for Stingle.

“He is very friendly. He is very knowledgeable in what he does,” Bassette said.

If you are interested in scheduling a lesson or want to learn more, contact Stingle through the club’s Instagram account (@uwspboxingclub).