SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A Mixed Martial Arts tournament at West Scranton Intermediate School on Tuesday marked a milestone as the inaugural tournament for an after-school program that has quickly grown across the Scranton School District.
The district described the event as part of its MMA after-school program for intermediate students. The program began at Northeast Intermediate through a grant with the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office and later expanded to all three intermediate schools after it grew in popularity.
District Attorney Brian Gallagher said the program was developed with the school district as a response to juvenile violence and other issues in Scranton, with an emphasis on reaching students at the middle school age level.
Gallagher noted that the program was used as part of restorative practices in the district, offering an alternative in lieu of detention or suspension. He also described it as an option in lieu of a probation violation, pairing workouts with anger management and social skills components.
“Wrestling and MMA, those types of sports teach discipline, self-confidence and self-worth, and give you a very good workout. It takes kids off the street and puts them on the mat. It has them interact with other students. It’s something that started with 30 kids, and now it’s over 100. Today we see the fruit of all that labor,” said Gallagher.
Gallagher said the program served students in grades five through eight and was designed to keep kids engaged in something positive, while also helping them build trust with police and other community partners.
Brian Doughton, District Director for State Senator Marty Flynn, said the program was put together through coach James Simrell, a trained MMA fighter, who reached out about at-risk youth and concerns about youth violence.
Doughton explained that funding for the program came after Gallagher applied for a grant through Flynn’s office and it was approved two years in a row.
“We’re happy to coordinate with the district attorney, the Scranton School District and James Simrell on this program. It’s a huge success. Senator Flynn wants to continue to see the program build, and we’ll help with funding as much as we can,” said Doughton.
Doughton added that the initial grant helped launch the program by paying for equipment and related items, including mats and shirts for students, and he estimated that funding at around $50,000.
Organizers said program leaders expressed interest in expanding similar opportunities into arts and music in the future.