Cambridge, MA – On October 21, 2017, the Wrestlers In Business Network Boston Chapter honored BYW Founder and President José Valenzuela with the Leadership Award at their 2nd Annual WIBN Boston Awards Dinner. The event also celebrated the lifetime achievements and contributions to the wrestling and business communities — Andy McNerney, Carl Adams, and David Wilson. 

After receiving the award, Valenzuela spoke to the 150 people in attendance about how WIBN and Boston Youth Wrestling could work together to create more opportunities for wrestlers in the Greater Boston area. Valenzuela spoke about how wrestling transformed his life, putting him on a path towards success after struggling with his grades and his emotions. Relating the impact of Boston Youth Wrestling, Valenzuela made an impassioned appeal to everyone about investing in creating more opportunities for struggling young people to use wrestling as a vehicle for unlocking their potential.

Additionally, Billy Watterson, the founder of Beat The Streets Providence, who also received the WIBN’s Leadership Award, echoed Valenzuela’s comments. “BTS Providence and BYW have been long-time partners,” Watterson said. “And we hope to continue that partnership with more alignment of our core curriculum, trainings and development for our coaches, and working together to promote youth development in our respective cities.”