Opening Doors: Tomorrow’s Leaders Navigate the Path to College
For Tomorrow’s Leaders, preparing for the future means thinking beyond their next match. On Sunday, October 4, our third Tomorrow’s Leaders workshop introduced over 60 student-athletes to college planning by guiding them through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, sharing information on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility and recruitment, and offering insights from accomplished wrestler Joey McKenna.
The first portion of the workshop featured a presentation on college finances, hosted by Jorge Prado. Prado is the program manager for the California Student Opportunity and Access Program - Los Angeles (CALSOAP), which operates at California State University, Los Angeles. Cal-SOAP LA helps students and families build financial aid literacy so they can make informed decisions about financing their postsecondary education. Prado presented to our student-athletes, along with several parents of graduating seniors.
Prado discussed several types of financial aid available to our athletes, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. He explained how students can identify reliable financial aid opportunities and recognize potential warning signs. Prado emphasized that students should complete the FAFSA as early as possible rather than waiting until the spring deadline. He also encouraged students to compare financial aid packages from different universities. While their top-choice school may offer admission, another university could provide a more affordable path to higher education.
To connect with students, Prado shared a personal story about how a habit that once got him in trouble at school eventually became one of his greatest professional strengths:
“I enjoy doing my job. I enjoy doing it, but I used to get in trouble in school. My mom doesn’t speak a word of English. Anytime we had a parent meeting, ‘Jorge, too much plática [talking].’ You know what I mean? I talked too much in class. I used to always get in trouble for talking too much. And now that’s what I do for work. I talk. That’s all I do. Talk to students, talk to teachers, talk to parents about youth, teens, and financial aid, and what other resources we can give you.”
After the presentation, our senior wrestlers and their parents separated from the larger group to begin their FAFSA applications with guidance from Prado. Meanwhile, younger student-athletes participated in a session focused on NCAA eligibility and college wrestling recruitment.
For several of our athletes, years of training and conditioning are driven by the dream of one day competing at the collegiate level. Thousands of students enter NCAA eligibility for wrestling, but only a few hundred spots are available. In the past three years, Beat the Streets Los Angeles has helped over 50 Tomorrow’s Leaders athletes continue their wrestling careers at colleges and universities. To compete at the collegiate level, student-athletes must understand NCAA eligibility requirements, recruitment rules, and the steps involved in pursuing college wrestling opportunities.
Carl Fronhofer, BTSLA’s Director of Development, shared insights from his experience recruiting collegiate wrestlers during his five seasons as head coach at Columbia University.
Fronhofer emphasized that competing at the collegiate level is the first step to getting recruited. He acknowledged that the athletes are already working toward that goal by showing up to practice, training hard, and improving their wrestling skills. However, he encouraged them to focus as much on opportunities off the mat that they might be overlooking, such as maintaining strong grades, reaching out to college coaches, and taking proactive steps in the recruitment process.
He advised juniors interested in collegiate wrestling to reach out to coaches directly, visit prospective universities, and introduce themselves through emails that include their high school transcripts.
After the morning workshop, our athletes took to the mat for a clinic led by Joseph “Joey” McKenna, a two-time age-group World Medalist, two-time Pan American Champion, three-time NCAA Division I All-American (twice at Ohio University and once at Stanford University), and NCAA National Championships runner-up. Drawing from his extensive wrestling career, McKenna guided athletes through several technical fundamentals. He focused on matching lead hands and teaching wrestlers to read their opponents' movements and positioning when “toeing the line.” He also demonstrated crotch locks and fundamental defensive techniques.
Following an intense session of learning and practicing new techniques, McKenna gathered the athletes to share a message about the importance of personal growth beyond wrestling.
“I just want to say that what you guys even did today is important, right? Having this Leadership Academy and doing things that are going to propel you forward in life. Even me, as a 31-year-old wrestler still in the sport, I’m always trying to seek ways to continue to sharpen my skills outside of just the wrestling room,” McKenna told the attentive group of wrestlers.
“Wrestling isn’t going to be forever for some of us, and that’s okay. But as long as we’re always seeking ways to get better and to develop as humans, as people, life is limitless, right? There are a lot of opportunities that you can take advantage of, a lot of things, a lot of doors that will open because of those types of things. So, I would encourage you guys to keep trying to involve yourself in different things like that. Try to get better in the sport of wrestling, but also just be a better human.”
Our third Tomorrow’s Leaders workshop was another successful step in preparing student-athletes for their futures beyond the mat. Several high school seniors left with FAFSA applications either started or completed, while younger athletes gained valuable insight into navigating NCAA eligibility and college recruitment. Above all, every student left with lessons and encouragement from BTSLA staff, guest speakers, and clinicians to keep growing as an athlete, student, and individual.
The journey toward higher education continues on October 18, when Tomorrow’s Leaders will visit the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Students will tour the campus and watch elite international wrestling at the U23 World Championships.
