Volunteer coach shares passion for boxing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) --  A maintainer here offers people an alternative to being on the street, one that teaches them lifelong skills. In turn, those people teach him how to become a better coach and allow him to be involved in the sport he adores.

"I love boxing," said Staff Sgt. Edward Rivas, a flying crew chief with the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and a volunteer boxing coach. "I love working with the children and seeing them progress."

Since August 2002, the San Antonio native has volunteered more than 900 hours at the Boys and Girls Club boxing program in nearby Tacoma. He wanted to get involved in boxing and learn how to coach, and the club has a structured boxing program he said he liked instantly.

"I had been to other clubs, and it was chaotic," Sergeant Rivas said. "[At those clubs] there are four or five coaches with their own little group of children, doing their own thing. Here, everyone learns the same skills [and] everyone is on the same page. There is no preferential treatment, and that's what I liked about (the club)."

U.S. Olympics boxing team head coach Tom Mustin, who also coaches at the Boys and Girls Club, agreed to make Sergeant Rivas a coach at the club.

Within 12 months, Mr. Mustin recommended Sergeant Rivas to coach the Air Force boxing team. The team earned four gold and four silver medals in the U.S. Armed Forces Championships.

"I'm really fortunate because now I'm learning [how to coach] from somebody with more than 30 years experience," Sergeant Rivas said. "When I was younger, I didn't have anyone to show me how to throw a proper punch; I had to learn the hard way."

Sergeant Rivas said he sparred growing up, but he was basically told to get in the ring and defend himself. He was never taught the "basics."

"I wasn't very good," he said, explaining that he never competed as an amateur.

Commonly referred to as "Coach Eddie" by his athletes, the 34-year-old said he wants to teach children the correct techniques of boxing. His athletes learn how to properly throw a punch, return to guard position and when to move left or right.

The boxers are not allowed to continue on to circuit training or sparring until they demonstrate they can follow instructions and focus.

None of his pupils are military family members, and they all come from various backgrounds.

"Boxing brings in all walks of life," Sergeant Rivas said. "I wanted to deal with and affect certain people. Kids want discipline and structure. Boxing is discipline, work ethics, responsibilities -- lifelong skills -- and that's what I want to teach them."

He coaches up to 50 athletes, who are as young as 7. He is at the gym Monday through Thursday, for up to three hours a night. Even his co-workers notice and applaud his dedication and hard work.

"His love for helping underprivileged children coupled with his love for boxing has driven him to spend every free moment coaching," said Master Sgt. Todd Mighell, his supervisor. "In spite of him having no prior experience coaching and being deployed for 331 days, he soon showed himself to be a natural."

Sergeant Rivas said when he is not deployed, he is either at the gym or with his family.

"When I come back [from a deployment], I run home, say hi to my wife and daughter, drop off my stuff and head over to the club," he said.

Besides his military deployments, Sergeant Rivas also travels with his athletes to tournaments nationwide, but only if they adhere to strict rules.

"They have to keep their grades up," Sergeant Rivas said. "And they have to keep out of trouble. It helps out the parents also. It's almost like tough love. You hate to take it away from them, but you also want a good, balanced athlete."

The self-described "quiet guy at work" said he wants to open his own gym after he retires. In the meantime, his goals are to knock the Army out of competition in the U.S. Armed Forces Championships and to one day coach for the U.S. Olympic team.

The 12-year veteran, who left the service in 1998 and returned after Sept. 11, 2001, said he plans to stick with coaching and credits his military service with helping make him a coach.

"I have a different appreciation for the military now. And besides, if I hadn't come back to the military, I wouldn't be coaching now," he said.