An Inspiring Group of Future American Leaders Set to Take the Ring at the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular onNovember 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino

(MASHANTUCKET, CONN.) - The athletes taking the ring for the 2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular presented by Columbia Dental possess more than just athletic skill. The bout line-up on November 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino will feature many of the United States' brightest minds competing in honor of United States' veterans. The 22 boxers taking part in the event include aspiring engineers, foreign diplomats, world-renowned physicians and military officers.
 

Boxers from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point will compete in 10 of the 11 bouts on the night with reigning National Collegiate Boxing Association champion Cappy Polou (West Point, N.Y./ Faga'itua, American Samoa) leading the Army team in to action at Foxwoods. An aspiring military officer, Polou began boxing only two years ago and cites the warrior ethos of the sport as his reason for taking up the sweet science.
 

The reigning NCBA team champion Army Black Knights roster boasts many bright stars. In addition to the four engineering majors on the West Point team, the squad possesses athletes with goals that include becoming a Rhodes scholar, pursuing a career in Army special operations, and leading an infantry platoon.
 

Two-time NCBA champion Taylor Tennyson (Virginia Beach, Va.) will headline the U.S. Coast Guard Academy squad on November 8. Tennyson, who is pursuing a career in Coast Guard Law Enforcement, enjoyed tremendous success in his previous appearance at Foxwoods last year. He not only won the 175-pound national title, but was also named Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament in the 2013 National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships at the Fox Theater.

The impressive student athletes on the West Point squad aren't the only leaders taking the ring in the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular. The boxers on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U Mass/Westover Air Force Base teams have inspiring goals outside the ring as well.  A future pediatric surgeon, foreign services officer, novelist, and foreign diplomat are among the athletes slated to take the ring on November 8 at the Fox Theater.
 

Six boxers from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, five athletes from the UMass /Westover Air Force boxing team and one Connecticut high school student will join the 10 West Point athletes in the event honoring United States' servicemen and women.
 

A star-studded commentary crew will call of the night's action with all 11 bouts being made available for the low price of $7.95 via the official live stream at www.NCBALive.com. "Irish" Micky Ward, Edwin Rodriguez, 1960 Olympic gold medalist Wilbert "Skeeter" McClure, 1988 Olympic Coach Tom Coulter and television executive Bob Yalen are teaming up to provide commentary for the live stream.
 

The official bout card and full list of athlete bios for the November 8 show at Foxwoods Resort Casino is attached.

 

2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular Bout Sheet

 

Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular Athlete Bios

An Inspiring Group of Future American Leaders Set to Take the Ring at the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular onNovember 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino

Event Rosters' Include Aspiring Military Officers, Pilots, Engineers, Ambassadors, a Pediatric Surgeon and a Future Novelist

(MASHANTUCKET, CONN.) - The athletes taking the ring for the 2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular presented by Columbia Dental possess more than just athletic skill. The bout line-up on November 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino will feature many of the United States' brightest minds competing in honor of United States' veterans. The 22 boxers taking part in the event include aspiring engineers, foreign diplomats, world-renowned physicians and military officers.   Boxers from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point will compete in 10 of the 11 bouts on the night with reigning National Collegiate Boxing Association champion Cappy Polou (West Point, N.Y./ Faga'itua, American Samoa) leading the Army team in to action at Foxwoods. An aspiring military officer, Polou began boxing only two years ago and cites the warrior ethos of the sport as his reason for taking up the sweet science.   The reigning NCBA team champion Army Black Knights roster boasts many bright stars. In addition to the four engineering majors on the West Point team, the squad possesses athletes with goals that include becoming a Rhodes scholar, pursuing a career in Army special operations, and leading an infantry platoon.   Two-time NCBA champion Taylor Tennyson (Virginia Beach, Va.) will headline the U.S. Coast Guard Academy squad on November 8. Tennyson, who is pursuing a career in Coast Guard Law Enforcement, enjoyed tremendous success in his previous appearance at Foxwoods last year. He not only won the 175-pound national title, but was also named Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament in the 2013 National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships at the Fox Theater. The impressive student athletes on the West Point squad aren't the only leaders taking the ring in the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular. The boxers on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U Mass/Westover Air Force Base teams have inspiring goals outside the ring as well.  A future pediatric surgeon, foreign services officer, novelist, and foreign diplomat are among the athletes slated to take the ring on November 8 at the Fox Theater.   Six boxers from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, five athletes from the UMass /Westover Air Force boxing team and one Connecticut high school student will join the 10 West Point athletes in the event honoring United States' servicemen and women.   A star-studded commentary crew will call of the night's action with all 11 bouts being made available for the low price of $7.95 via the official live stream at www.NCBALive.com. "Irish" Micky Ward, Edwin Rodriguez, 1960 Olympic gold medalist Wilbert "Skeeter" McClure, 1988 Olympic Coach Tom Coulter and television executive Bob Yalen are teaming up to provide commentary for the live stream.   The official bout card and full list of athlete bios for the November 8 show at Foxwoods Resort Casino is attached.   2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular Bout Sheet   Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular Athlete Bios

Patriotic Night of Boxing Action to Raise Funds for United States' Veterans

(MASHANTUCKET, CONN.) - Just days before our nation celebrates Veterans Day, top Olympic-style boxers from four military branches will take the ring for the 2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular.  The exciting night of boxing action on Saturday, November 8 at Foxwoods® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., will raise funds for Team Red, White and Blue, the nation's premier veterans support group, and the National Collegiate Boxing Association. "Team RWB is all about connecting veterans to the community through physical and social activity. This will be a great community event surrounding the physical activity of boxing. We are fired up to be a part of it," said Team RWB Northeast Regional Director Joe Quinn. The patriotic event will showcase athletes from the U.S. Military Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Marine Corps and Air Force as well a boxer from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in an evening of collegiate boxing action at the Fox Theater. "It is an honor for the West Point Boxing team to participate in an event that recognizes the selfless service  of our nation's veterans.  We enjoy the freedoms that we have because of the sacrifices that they have made," said U.S. Military Academy boxing coach Ray Barone. The U.S. Coast Guard team will be competing just 15 miles from their campus, providing a home state advantage for the fighting Bears at the November 8th event. "The U.S. Coast Guard Academy team is thrilled to compete in the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular so close to home," Coast Guard Academy boxing coach Tom Barile said. "I know it's going to be a great night of boxing and the fact that we are able to raise money for our country's veterans makes it even more special." The annual event is taking place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino for the fifth time in its history and the elite northeast boxing venue also served as the host for the 2013 National Collegiate Boxing Association championships. "We are honored to be part of this Veterans Day tradition. It is exciting for us, especially as we continue to bolster our Boxing events as part our overall Entertainment platform, to be part of such a meaningful event that showcases the best military talent," said Scott Butera, President & CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. The sport of boxing and the United States' military academies have a storied history as evidenced by the fact that cadets on all of the campuses are required to participate in boxing training.  The Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular began in 2003 and has featured numerous military teams as well as foreign athletes. 2012 Olympian Jamel Herring competed in the event twice before representing the United States in the London Olympics. "We are excited to return to Foxwoods Resort Casino, host of the 2013 NCBA National Championship Tournament," said NCBA President Ken Cooper. "The NCBA is privileged to be a part of the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular and provide a great night of collegiate boxing for our men and women of the military." Local members of the VFW and American Legion posts will be honored guests at Foxwoods Resort Casino on November 8 as well. A list of the night's bouts will be released upon completion. Tickets are priced at $35 and $25 and can be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com or by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882.  2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular What: A night of military boxing competition to raise funds for Team Red, White and Blue and the National Collegiate Boxing Association Who: Teams from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Marine Corps, Air Force and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst When: Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Foxwoods Resort Casino Fox Theater

Top Collegiate Boxers from Four Military Branches to Convene at the 11th Annual Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular on November 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino

Patriotic Night of Boxing Action to Raise Funds for  United States' Veterans (MASHANTUCKET, CONN.) - Just days before our nation celebrates Veterans Day, top Olympic-style boxers from four military branches will take the ring for the 2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular.  The exciting night of boxing action on Saturday, November 8 at Foxwoods® Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., will raise funds for Team Red, White and Blue, the nation's premier veterans support group, and the National Collegiate Boxing Association. "Team RWB is all about connecting veterans to the community through physical and social activity. This will be a great community event surrounding the physical activity of boxing. We are fired up to be a part of it," said Team RWB Northeast Regional Director Joe Quinn. The patriotic event will showcase athletes from the U.S. Military Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Marine Corps and Air Force as well a boxer from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in an evening of collegiate boxing action at the Fox Theater. "It is an honor for the West Point Boxing team to participate in an event that recognizes the selfless service  of our nation's veterans.  We enjoy the freedoms that we have because of the sacrifices that they have made," said U.S. Military Academy boxing coach Ray Barone. The U.S. Coast Guard team will be competing just 15 miles from their campus, providing a home state advantage for the fighting Bears at the September 8th event.   "The U.S. Coast Guard Academy team is thrilled to compete in the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular so close to home," Coast Guard Academy boxing coach Tom Barile said. "I know it's going to be a great night of boxing and the fact that we are able to raise money for our country's veterans makes it even more special." The annual event is taking place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino for the fifth time in its history and the elite northeast boxing venue also served as the host for the 2013 National Collegiate Boxing Association championships. "We are honored to be part of this Veterans Day tradition. It is exciting for us, especially as we continue to bolster our Boxing events as part our overall Entertainment platform, to be part of such a meaningful event that showcases the best military talent," said Scott Butera, President & CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. The sport of boxing and the United States' military academies have a storied history as evidenced by the fact that cadets on all of the campuses are required to participate in boxing training.  The Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular began in 2003 and has featured numerous military teams as well as foreign athletes. 2012 Olympian Jamel Herring competed in the event twice before representing the United States in the London Olympics. "We are excited to return to Foxwoods Resort Casino, host of the 2013 NCBA National Championship Tournament," said NCBA President Ken Cooper. "The NCBA is privileged to be a part of the Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular and provide a great night of collegiate boxing for our men and women of the military." Local members of the VFW and American Legion posts will be honored guests at Foxwoods Resort Casino on November 8 as well. A list of the night's bouts will be released upon completion. Tickets, which will go on sale on September 22, are priced at $35 and $25 and can be purchased online at www.foxwoods.com or by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882.  2014 Veterans Day Boxing Spectacular What: A night of military boxing competition to raise funds for Team Red, White and Blue and the National Collegiate Boxing Association Who: Teams from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Marine Corps, Air Force and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst When: Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Foxwoods Resort Casino Fox Theater

MMA Ring Girl, Model Excels with Marine Corps Background

ProElite ring girl Shannon Ihrke rose to the rank of corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps
before embarking on a successful modeling career

Going from a small town in Minnesota to a successful modeling career requires a pretty face, but mixed martial arts ring girl Shannon Ihrke has a whole lot of brains and brawn to go along with her stunning physical features. And if you don’t believe that, she’ll be happy to prove it to you.

 

Ihrke tried taking the more conventional path, enrolling at St. Cloud University to pursue a degree in marketing. Halfway through her second year, though, Ihrke felt like she needed a plan before racking up a bunch of student loans.

 

“I didn’t want to be one of those college kids who ends up $100,000 in debt without a job lined up,” Ihrke said.

 

She didn’t have any financial aid options immediately available, but a career counselor at the school said that if she wanted her bills paid for, she could join the military.

Not one to dawdle, Ihrke went to meet with an Air Force recruiter to see about enlisting.

 

The Air Force would need her to wait several months before she could enter boot camp, but the Marine Corps recruiter said she could be dressed in fatigues and going through the ringer in a week or so.

 

If you aren’t familiar with the Marine Corps, it isn’t for the faint of heart. Perhaps more than any other military branch, marines have to pass a litany of mental and physical tests to weed out the weak. And it just so happens that a petite blonde from Walker, Minn., passed with flying colors.

“When I was growing up, I was playing soccer, basketball, and track and field, so I’d always been ready physically,” Ihrke said. “It was the mental part I wasn’t completely ready for at first. I grew up in a home where my parents never yelled, and here is this drill instructor in my face screaming at me, and I didn’t even know how to tell them I needed to go to the bathroom.”

 

She joked, “I don’t think I went to the bathroom for the first week because I was too scared to ask.”

 

After getting through boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., and getting stationed in Beaufort, Ihrke quickly moved up to the rank of corporal. How’d she do it? She didn’t take any crap and wasn’t afraid to work twice as hard to prove herself in a military service that is 94 percent male.

 

“For this little blondie to walk into a unit, guys are going to automatically pass judgment,” she said. “Whenever I approached a new unit, I had to be really aggressive and in your face. Then when I start keeping up with you in the physical training and outshooting you on the rifle range … Then they’re like, ok, we’re not going to mess with her.

 

“It’s a big stereotype that everyone thinks you’re getting special treatment because you’re female,” Ihrke said. “We work three-times as hard as a male to get things accomplished.”

 

There are probably easier ways to get into modeling than joining the military, but the experience has paid off for Ihrke, who’s graced the pages of Maxim magazine, been a ProElite and King of the Cage ring girl, and worked with brands such as Rockstar Clothing and Monster Energy Drink. If you need a fitness, runway, television, or magazine model, she can do it all.

 

On top of all of that, she can probably beat you up. Thanks to her military background, Ihrke is well-versed in the Marine Corps hand-to-hand combat system, which incorporates many techniques from MMA.

 

“I actually didn’t have a lot of mixed martial arts experience until I joined,” she said. “Right when I got stationed in South Carolina, I started advancing in my mixed marital arts belt rankings and it was something I was really interested in. Once I find a good gym nearby, I’d like to get back into doing kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu type stuff.”

 

Still, with all that she’s accomplished, Shannon’s habits from her time as a marine are still evident, whether it’s showing up at a photo shoot 15 minutes early or spending extra time understanding the subject matter she’s promoting.

 

“You go from [the military] to modeling, where people think you just have a pretty face, that can get frustrating,” she said. “But then it’s always been my goal to change people’s minds about me by the end of the shoot.”

 

With time as a ProElite ring girl now on her resume, Ihrke is also starting to make a name for herself in the MMA realm. As an added bonus, she has the knowledge and background to promote the sport in more ways than simply entertaining the crowd in between rounds.

 

“Being on the edge of the cage, standing there, smiling, that’s the easy part,” Ihrke said. “I want to more than that and talk to people, talk to the fans.

“I will stand at a booth at the Arnold’s for hours if I see a little kid at the end of the line. I’m like, ‘I’m going to keep signing these things until that kid gets through.’”

 

She added, “I always pretend like my mom is there. If I don’t think it would be something that my mom would approve, I’m not going to do that shoot that with you. I want to be a role model.”

 

Up next for Ihrke is an appearance at the UFC Fan Expo on July 6-7 in Las Vegas, taking pictures with fans and signing autographs at the Ranger Up booth. To schedule Shannon for an interview, photo shoot, or public appearance, contact Ricky Vasquez of Phenom Management at ricky@phenommgt.com.