Label
Councilman Delaney
Title
Recognizing boxing trainer and retired pro boxer Darrie Riley for his exemplary leadership and service to the youth of the Toledo community.
Summary
WHEREAS, Darrie Riley has become an exemplary role model to disadvantaged youth in the Toledo community by the story of his own disadvantaged and troubled youth of drug abuse and life on the street, which lead to his incarceration for over 16 years; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, Mr. Riley began his pro boxing and coaching career at Toledo's Bull Pen Gym and then began three separate coaching stints with the Police Athletic League first with mentors such as Toledo Police Officer Frank Holtzman, later with Toledo Police Officers Mary Beth and Ron Wilcox and finally recruited to run the program under Sergeant Tom Youngs; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Riley began life anew with a determination to change his life beginning with ending his abuse of drugs in 1990 and, upon release from custody in 1992; using his boxing skills as a vehicle, not only keep his own life in order, but, in 1994 he become a mentor and boxing coach for promising youth boxers in the Toledo community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Riley started his boxing career while incarcerated at Mansfield Reformatory in 1977, and became a welterweight champion in 1978 and 1979; won the Toledo Golden Gloves in 1982, 1983 and 1986; then while incarcerated at Lima Correctional Center, became a welterweight champion in 1987, 1988 and 1989; and finally becoming a pro boxer from 1993-2002; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Riley has now lead a life free of substance abuse for almost thirty years; has continued to coach for about 26 years, countless numbers of youth in the Toledo community including Jenna Johlin, 2x National Champion; Monica Van Pelt, 4x National Champion; Jared Anderson, 4x Elite National Champion, 1x National Golden Gloves Champion, and currently a professional heavyweight boxer with a record of 2 wins and 2 knockouts and other ta...
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