Grand Forks AFB hosts first Boxing Nite

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Warriors of the North had the opportunity to take in a rare spectacle Aug. 12, 2014 at the Three-Bay Hangar here when the base hosted its first-ever Boxing Nite event.

More than 400 attendees were treated to 10 bouts featuring fighters from Canada, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot, and ranging from lightweight to heavyweight classes. Spectators also took in musical performances by Ch. (Capt.) Ruben Covos, 319th Air Base Wing chaplain, and Tech. Sgt. Quanda Miller, 69th Maintenance Squadron.

The event included exhibition matches featuring Staff Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez , 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, and Senior Airman Tavarus Roberts, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, both at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., with the headline fight featuring Grand Forks AFB's own Airman 1st Class Sean Egan, 319th Security Forces Squadron, who won with a knockout before the third round.

Covos, one of the event coordinators, said the inspiration for this special sporting event came from Col. Joe Lindsey, 319th Mission Support Group commander, and Egan himself.

"Colonel Lindsey attended a boxing event downtown and thought about how exciting it could be to try to have something similar on base," he said. "Airman Egan was actually competing on the same night when Colonel Lindsey saw him. Those two were the inspiration for developing the event."

Covos said when he discovered there were boxers on base who were going downtown to train, he thought that hosting an event like Boxing Nite would not only support their athletic efforts, but also possibly inspire others to try out boxing.

"I thought doing something like this might inspire others to take up the sport," he said. "Even if they didn't become 'official' boxers, at least trying something new gets the bug out of your system, and can also allow you to say that at least you tried, despite the outcome."

Boxing Nite received some very good reviews from people who attended.

"The event was class 'A,'" said Master Sgt. Kingsley Scott, Grand Forks AFB career assistance advisor. "You could tell it took a lot of coordination and teamwork from multiple agencies and volunteers to make this a success."

Scott said he would love to see the base host more events like this in the future.
"It was amazing from start to finish. There is so much talent just waiting to be tapped into and unleashed in the 'Frontier.' The best part of the event was seeing our very own Defender, Airman Egan, showcase his talent. He represented what it means to be a Warrior of the North."

Tech. Sgt. Michael Groesbeck, 319th Comptroller Squadron, agreed.

"It was a great event, something different that garnered a great deal of support and participation," he said. "Given the geographical location of the base, we have to be creative with the activities we offer. I feel this event illustrates just how creative the Warriors of the North can be."

Covos said that when the idea was approved and the time came to appoint a coordinator, he could hardly contain himself.

"I had ideas in my head but I knew it was in my heart to go all at it," he said. "It was intense preparation and work, but if we made a difference in the lives of just a few Airmen, it was worth it."