Since 1936
About Us
More than 80 years of amateur boxing!
Our Mission
The KC Golden Gloves is dedicated to amateur boxing as a way to develop discipline, respect, and wellness in its athletes and empower the next generation of leaders and citizens in the Kansas City area.
Our Vision
With a rich history, the sport of boxing provides an environment for teaching and inspiring confidence, work ethic, physical and emotional well being, sportsmanship, social development and a culture of citizenship. Our vision is to create a community of dedicated athletes, coaches, officials, spectators and supporters of amateur boxing to achieve our mission.
The KC Golden Gloves regional championship is the longest running sporting event in Kansas City history, with the first regional Golden Gloves tournament held February 1936 at the Old Convention Hall on 13th and Central, sponsored by the Kansas City Star Newspaper. During this era, only newspapers or radio stations were permitted to sponsor a Golden Gloves franchise. Ernie Mehl, a sports writer and later Sports Director, was appointed Golden Gloves Director. Under his direction, many successful tournaments were held.
In 1937, the new Municipal Auditorium was completed and the Second Regional tournament was held with approximately fifteen boxing clubs from the franchise area including Chillicothe, Joplin, Springfield and St. Joseph participating.
During World War II, under the leadership of Charlie Myers and assistance from Tom McHugh, the franchise prospered by support from the Teamsters Union, National Alliance of Businessmen and the Kansas City, Missouri Welfare Department (now the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation), Hayes A. Richardson, Director. The Kansas City Star relinquished sponsorship of the Golden Gloves in 1947 and Charlie continued his tenure until his death in 1966.
After Charlie Myer’s death, one of the Golden Gloves supporters, Dr. James DiRenna assumed duties as the Director and was instrumental in reorganizing into a non-profit corporation in the State of Missouri and was its first President.
All revenues generated by the Kansas City Golden Gloves are turned back into our program to purchase boxing equipment for new and existing clubs, for team travel, and to fund scholarships for our boxers.
History
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Board of Directors
Chris Walden
President
As a certified USA Boxing official in the ring and President of the KC Gloves, Chris Walden stays involved with amateur boxing because of its unique ability to grow kids into outstanding men and women. He works asan Investment Advisor at Heartland Capital Advisors.
Phone: 816-665-1114, Email: chris@hcadvisorslc.com
Tony Chiaverini
Vice President
Arguably the most successful professional boxer in Kansas City history, Tony Chiaverini has helped grow KC amateur boxing since he hung up the gloves in ’83. Besides serving as Vice President, Tony sits on the scholarship committee and volunteers as an official.
John Brown
Vice President, Delegate
The founder and former president of Ringside now serves as a co-VP for the KC Gloves after a successful tenure as President. John Brown also fills the role as the delegate to USA Boxing, of which he is the current President.Day-to-day you can find John at Turner Rec. Center, coaching.
Phone: 913-287-2111, Email:
Matt Priest
Treasurer
Bringing in his experience as a financial advisor at Smith, Moore, & Co., Matt serves as treasurer for the KC Gloves. In his free time Matt learns from one of the most experienced boxing minds in the country at Turner Recreation Center, volunteering as a coach under John Brown at the Turner Boxing Academy.
Email: MPriest@smithmoore.com
Neil Picart
Head Coach
Since becoming a certified coach in 2009, “Coach Neil” quickly built a quality stable of fighters in KC. He earned Coach of the Year honors in 2014, becoming the KC Gloves Head Coach shortly thereafter. When he’s not preparing the next generation of boxers at Flaco Ramirez Boxing, Neil works as the Warranty Manager at
Haladex Corp.
Phone: 816-456-7971
Email:
Steven Spears
Director of Marketing
Steven Spears began volunteering with the KC Golden Gloves in 2015 and has since been appointed to the board of directors. As the director of marketing, Steven oversees the creation of all promotional material and original content on the KC Golden Gloves’ website. Steven is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mass communication at the University of Central Missouri.
Phone: 816-872-4849
Email: JStevenSpearsPR@gmail.com
Ron Mather
Scholarship Chairman
As the Scholarship Chairman, Ron Mather oversees the funding and distribution of what many believe is the most important product of the KC Gloves; our athletic scholarships. Each year, the KC Golden Gloves Athletic Scholarship provides thousands to boxers looking to further their education. Ron has been with the KC Gloves since 2012. He has been engaged in the real estate business in Kansas City since 1973 as a builder and developer.
Email: rmather@matherco.com
Jacque Flanagan
Director of Online Communications
Jacque operates as KCGG’s media ambassador, anything techy or design affiliated, you name it, she does it. She’s currently enrolled in the University of Central Missouri Mass Communications Graduate program, where she received her bachelors in digital media production with an emphasis in digital cinema and a minor in graphic technologies.
Email: jacque.flanagan619@gmail.com
Jacky Joynt
Chief of Officials
Jack Joynt takes over as Chief of Officials for the KC Gloves after serving as Treasurer. Bringing decades of experience to the board as a certified USA Boxing official, Jack hopes to continue growing the Kansas City Golden Gloves. Jack is also chairman of the National Grievance Committee for USA Boxing.
Email: jjoynt@joynt.com
James Stathis
Scholarship Committee
James Stathis is a Wealth Management Associate at Smith Moore and Co, working alongside Matt Priest. After being introduced to KC Golden gloves at work, and serving as a volunteer for the regional tournament, James joined the board as part of the scholarship committee.
Email: jstathis@smithmoore.com
Mike Kerley
At-Large
Mike Kerley not only serves as an at-large member of the KC Gloves BOD, but is one of the most consistent certified USA Boxing officials in the KC amateur boxing scene. He works full-time at the Kansas City Ford Assembly Plant.
Email: mkokerl@yahoo.com
Ken McAlpin
At-Large
Ken McAlpin started as a certified USA Boxing official in 2008. In the years since then, Ken has judged more than 3,000 amateur bouts. Away from the ring, Ken works full-time as a Sourcing Specialist with Black & Veatch. He also volunteers as a tour guide & docent at the KC Automotive Museum in Olathe, KS.
Email: macksrex@yahoo.com
Lawrence Abdallah
At-Large
You can always find Lawrence Abdalla at a boxing show. You can find him ringside, judging. In the ring, reffing. Or in the corner, coaching. Lawrence makeshimself available to volunteer any way he can.
Email: kcboxing@yahoo.com
Aaron Hankel
At-Large
Aaron Hankel is an attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon specializing in Intellectual Property Litigation. After supporting the KC Gloves and providing legal advice, Aaron joined as an at-large member.
Angel Obert
Secretary
Angel started working with KC Golden Gloves in 2015. She currently works for Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas Parks and Recreation department as the Recreation Division Manager. Previously oversaw the TBA boxing program and has been involved with KCGG ever since, as it provides an excellent opportunity to work with the amazing youth of our community.
Brad White
At-Large
Responsible for finding sponsors for the Kansas City Golden Gloves Tournament, Brad takes on a large role in funding KC Gloves programs.
Email: bswhite39@comcast.net