Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/438230
JANUARY 2015 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 31 ALL-AROUND EVENT L ike most members of the UW team, Williams didn't have any boxing experience before joining. Of all places, she learned about the team at an open-microphone poetry reading. Ah, college! Many of the boxers played other sports in high school. Some, like UW's Albert Ta, didn't even consider themselves athletic. "I remember showing up for tryouts just to see what it was, and I never turned back," Ta says. "The mental challenge was both addicting and exciting because it allowed me to go beyond limitations I placed on myself." Before multimillion-dollar coaching contracts and multi-billion-dollar TV contracts, college athletics were organized by and for students. Boxing was one of the earliest collegiate sports. A young Teddy Roosevelt fought for Harvard's lightweight championship in 1879. The University of Washington's intercollegiate boxing history stretch- es back to 1924, with the school's first match against the University of British Columbia. During the past few decades, college boxing has been dominated by the service academies. Of the 38 men's team championships dating back to 1976, 30 of them have gone to Army, Navy, or Air Force. This year's Main Event falls in the middle of Washington's women's title defense. Boxers at the event are matched up by a panel of coaches, headed by Ed Weichers, recently retired after 38 years as the boxing coach at Air Force Academy. Other schools scheduled to compete are UNLV, Nevada-Reno, USC, UCLA, Coast Guard, and Army. "This is one of the biggest events on a college boxer's card," Weichers says. The Main Event also includes a no-host cocktail reception, dinner, and stand-up comedy in the Crystal Ballroom. This year, comedians Greg Hahn and Dennis Regan will perform. "It's just a great event all around," Wayne says. "From the food to the fights, you won't want to miss The Main Event." DING, DING, DING! Seth Kolloen is a Seattle–based freelance writer. WAC Boxing Club photo, 1930s The Washington Athletic Club has a rich boxing history. Founded in 1930, the Club's earliest athletic pursuits included boxing. A Supper-Dance/ Boxing and Wrestling Show during the WAC's early years was a prelude to the modern Main Event. As the WAC celebrates its 85th year in 2015, WAC Magazine will have much more on Club history.