Beat the Streets Press Release: New Executive Director announces hiring of Kenneth Bigley and Shannon Smith

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Executive Director announces hiring of Kenneth Bigley and Shannon Smith
Staff restructuring includes role refinements for Bill Crum and Justin Hoch

NEW YORK, New York (October 2, 2012) – Jim Fallis, Beat the Streets Wrestling's new Executive Director, has been extremely busy hiring new staff and restructuring the organization to support BTSW's strategic growth in the next year. Today, Mr. Fallis announced the hiring of two new employees: Kenneth Bigley as Director of Program Development and Shannon Smith as Office Manager.

"Beat the Streets Wrestling is very excited about our new team members," said Fallis. "Each of our new employees brings the very best skill sets and professional experience to our work. Their 'get the job done and do it with excellence' approach is what BTSW has been built on. Together with our current staff, we have a great team at BTSW and we will approach each new day with enthusiasm, commitment, and follow through."

alt Ken Bigley will be responsible for all program development and services generated by BSTW and will work directly with the New York City Department of Education's Public School Athletic League (PSAL) in overseeing and promoting wrestling within area high schools. Working as the bridge between the two organizations, he will play a critical role in helping to achieve the mutual vision of providing high-quality wrestling programs for New York City public schools. By engaging and impacting larger numbers of student-athletes, the goal is to develop best practices for an innovative model of youth development that will eventually be extended nationally. Ken will be responsible for a variety of significant activities including: internal operations; oversight of middle school and high school programs, including all girls programming; administration of camping services; and program evaluation.

Bigley is a 1999 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he was a four-year letter winner and three-time recipient of the Lyle E. Schwarzenbach Award recognizing the Northern Iowa Wrestler who "exhibits the highest standards in citizenship, academics, practice, and dedication."

Following his graduation from UNI, Bigley served as the Assistant Wrestling Coach at Ohio University from 1999-2001, where he earned his Master's Degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management. Bigley then held coaching positions at Princeton and Brown Universities, while competing in freestyle wrestling for the New York Athletic Club. He recorded runner-up finishes in each of the 2000 Northern and Southern Region, and 2004 Western Region Olympic Trials tournaments.

Bigley then left the college coaching ranks, serving from 2005-2011 as the Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach at Trevor Day School in New York City. Most recently, he was the Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach at Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH from 2011-2012.

alt Fallis also announced that Shannon Smith will assume the role of BTSW Office Manager. Shannon will be responsible for providing high-level administrative support by managing office operations and providing administrative support to the staff and wrestling coaches affiliated with the program.

Smith graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing in December 2011. Prior to coming to New York in June, she worked at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma as an Administrative Assistant for four years. Coming from a wrestling family, she has followed the sport her entire life and is excited to be a part of Beat the Streets' positive impact.

In announcing the hiring of both Bigley and Smith, Fallis revealed the reorganization of responsibilities of the current staff. Bill Crum, one of the founders of both the Beat the Streets movement and Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., assumes a senior management consulting role, advising the organization with the transition to the new administration and managing all competitions for BTSW and its partners.

Crum is the former 1st Vice President of USA Wrestling, the assistant competition manager for the 1996 Olympic Games, and the Competition Manager for the 2003 World Championships. Additionally, he has coached at both the high school and college levels, officiated at many International-Style National Championships, and managed the competition for numerous high level events at the high school, college, national, and international levels.

Fallis also announced that Justin Hoch will assume the position of Director of Operations and Advancement. Hoch will coordinate the administrative operations of BTSW and his responsibilities will include the development, communications, marketing, finance, operations, and information technology functions needed to advance the mission of the organization.

Hoch has been affiliated with Beat the Streets since May 2010 when he first worked as a grantwriting consultant and photographed the Battle on the Intrepid as part of Annual Gala. Since then, he has moved into a full-time capacity and most recently held the title of Director of Advancement. As an athlete, he wrestled for Binghamton University and was a two-year captain.

Fallis stated that, "The additions of Ken Bigley and Shannon Smith to our staff, and the restructuring of our management team, bring a fresh new outlook that will considerably enhance our approach to reaching NYC youth through the great sport of wrestling."

About Beat the Streets

Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City's student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and mentoring. More information can be found at www.beat-the-streets.org.