By Darian Rahnis, Staff Writer
The founder of Susquehanna’s boxing club has returned to campus and is reviving the club with the help of a small group of students.
The boxing club was founded five years ago by visiting lecturer sociology Salvatore D’Angelo when he was a student at Susquehanna.
Post-graduation, D’Angelo now teaches the art of boxing to a new generation of students in his spare time.
D’Angelo has been boxing since 2011. He has trained in gyms across the Philadelphia area and prepared boxers for amateur competitions.
D’Angelo said he taught some of his students how to box last year, and one of those students, Angelique Poragratti, approached him about officially starting the club again.
“I personally only started boxing in March of this year, and I absolutely love it,” Poragratti said. “It’s a great way to relieve stress, and it’s a really good workout.”
Stress relief may not be the only benefit of boxing. According to Poragratti, boxing is a fun way to learn self-defense tactics.
While many students may be nervous about boxing for the first time, the club is open to beginners. D’Angelo and Poragratti are both extending invitations to learn how to box to any skill level.
“The club is very good at teaching the fundamentals of boxing,” D’Angelo said. “Beginners are welcome and I believe they are certainly interested in the club.”
Beginners do not need to worry about lacking skills. Poragratti believes that boxing has different levels and every day is an opportunity to learn and get better.
The club has picked up steam already: according to D’Angelo, the club is averaging six attendees per week in the short time the club has been reestablished.
“As people become more committed they normally begin bringing their friends and attendance tends to grow,” D’Angelo said based on past experiences.
The club actively practices and has a variety of gloves, mitts and bags. However, the boxing club has no current plans for competitions this year.
According to D’Angelo, the boxing club is “dedicated to teaching and practicing the sweet science of boxing.”
The boxing club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in the James W. Garrett Sports Complex Field House.
Anyone interested in joining the boxing club can con- tact D’Angelo via email at dangelos@susqu.edu.
D’Angelo wants anyone who may be unsure of joining the club to come to a practice and try the sport.
“Learning to box is a wonderful opportunity,” D’Angelo said. “You’ll never really know if boxing is something you like unless you try.”
