TV news crew checks out Scouts’ fundraising wrestling match.
By: Mary Ellen Zangara
Friday night’s fundraising wrestling match at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 was "must-see TV" for Manville’s Cub Scout Pack 193 and Boy Scout Troop 193.
That’s because the event, which drew hundreds to the post, was featured in a segment on WPIX-TV Channel 11’s 10 p.m. news broadcast, as sports reporter Lolita Lopez interviewed Manville Scouts and some of the wrestlers for the nightly news broadcast.
The National Wrestling Superstars returned for the fundraising event for the Scouts and Post 2290, and Ms. Lopez and cameraman Willy Hayes joined the event for a few hours interviewing participants and taking in the action.
The segment aired at 10:18 p.m., and the boys, leaders and all the VFW members attending went to the post’s bar area to watch the segment as it aired.
Everyone cheered as they watched Boy Scouts Tyler Minegar and Justin Olejnik being interviewed by Ms. Lopez. Cub Scout Danel Allen was also interviewed, but he was edited out of the aired segment.
VFW post sponsors the event in support of the Scouts. The post also sponsors both Pack 193 and Troop 193.
"It was interesting that they got on TV, they weren’t very talkative," Scout leader Jim Kelly joked. "They picked probably the two youngest Scouts that we have, but they did a good job talking on television. They represented us well."
Back in the ring, as the matches were going on, the crowd barely took note most were too busy cheering for their favorites.
Young and old attended and some even came decked out Camplain Road resident Tom Caswell and his children T.J., Emily and Jake wore wrestling masks. Others screamed throughout the night many losing their voices completely.
Mr. Kelly was once again pleased with the outcome of the event.
"I think it went very well," Mr. Kelly said. "The promoter does a very nice job setting everything up and running it with the VFW. All we have to do is show up and keep people fed. It’s great that the VFW gives us this opportunity to help them because it also helps the Troop so it is very beneficial.
According to Mr. Kelly, the event raised about $1,000 which will be used for the Scouting program.
"We will split it with the pack and with the dinner (the annual Blue and Gold dinner) coming up, we will be subsidizing it so most of it will probably be going right there," he said. "Part of it will also go to subsidize summer camp. I think it is a wonderful experience for the boys."
As for the matches, Mr. Kelly said he thinks the wrestlers put on a better show this time than at the last event.
"The boys were laughing a lot more," Mr. Kelly said.