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Suffern Alumni Give Back

Suffern Alumni Give Back

Posted: Mar 7th 2007 By: CMBurnham

You can see the teacher in Scott Wright as he walks among several dozen men and women who use the residential, vocational or other services of Camp Venture.

"I think you and I have a lot more in common than you think," Wright tells the crowd. The Suffern Middle School history teacher had taken a personal day to be there.

"How many of you have hopes and dreams?" he asks.

Around the room at Venture Select Day Habilitation in Stony Point, arms shoot into the air as the consumers wait a turn.

J. Pat Brosnan says he wants to be a pro golfer.

Johnny Adams of Venture Academy in Rockland Lake proudly announces, "I want to box like Mike Tyson."

Across the room, Michael Lewis gets his turn. "I want to become a pro wrestler," he says. He does a killer impression of Hulk Hogan, one of his favorites.

He gets enthusiastic applause from the others, who have come to Venture Select from Rockland Lake, Venture Quest at the George Strayton Center in Sparkill and from Venture Industries, right next door.

They've assembled to hear from Wright, and two other Suffern High School alumni, Paul Fuchs of Sloatsburg and Kevin Clark of Suffern.

When Wright's not teaching and when the other two aren't at work as personal trainers, they are professional wrestlers. Once again this year - on Friday night - they will be part of an East Coast Professional Wrestling show at Suffern High School.

It's the fifth annual fundraiser for the Suffern High School Touchdown Club. The club uses some of the proceeds to support the Suffern High football program.

"The money pays for a lot of the team's necessities like shorts and practice jerseys," says Stan Goldstein of the Touchdown Club. "It also pays for food, bedding and lots of other costs of the team's summer training camp at the high school, when players live at school for a week."

Last year, the wrestling event resulted in a large donation to the family of Aiden Berges, the grandson of Sheriff James Kralik. The boy had just undergone a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or HLH, a rare disease in which his immune system attacks his own organs.

In four years, says Wright, the wrestling shows raised $40,000 for local charitable causes.

This will be Wright's fifth year on the ticket and the third for Kevin "Apollo" Clark and Fuchs, who wrestles as Paul E. Normous.

Clark, who grew up in Hillburn and graduated from Suffern in 1998, has a double major in exercise physiology and business management at Rockland Community College. With school and work as a personal trainer at New York Sports Club in Westwood, N.J., he wrestles in local East Coast Professional Wrestling events.

Fuchs, a 1994 Suffern grad, has been a pro for four years, but lost a season to injury. He was new and inexperienced back in 2003, he says, when an opponent came off the ropes doing a spinning move. "I didn't get out of the way. His knee landed on my face. If people think this is fake, those must have been fake screws in my fake face," he says. "Doctors told me I'd never wrestle again, but obviously, I didn't listen."

He's had a tryout with World Wrestling Entertainment or WWE, formerly the World Wrestling Federation, and got a shot at his dream of making it to TV one day. He trained in Kentucky in a developmental program, but didn't get a contract. "Now, I spend evenings at home," he says, "watching guys I trained with wrestle on TV."

But he's not giving up on his dream. "I hope the Suffern show draws enough attention to get another look from the WWE people," Fuchs says.

That's exactly how it worked for Wright. Publicity about a Suffern show caught the eye of WWE officials, who now hire him as an independent on a per-night basis for shows in the Northeast. Wrestling as Scotty Charisma, he'll be on a WWE bill March 13 at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton.

"I've wrestled in sold-out arenas, at places like the Continental Airlines Arena, and on television on 'Raw' and 'SmackDown,' " two popular WWE wrestling shows, Wright says. "But I'm the proudest of being able to give back to local charities."

He understands pro wrestling isn't popular with everyone.

"Every year," he says, "you hear horror stories - kids getting hurt trying things we do." That's part of why he talks to community groups, he says, emphasizing that even if the matches are choreographed, the participants are paid professional athletes with considerable training.

"Even if you're a detractor of pro wrestling, there's a fan base here and it says a lot about a community that comes out to help local groups," he said.

When he hears that Aiden Berges had been doing well, he says, "It's nice to think that maybe you contributed to that."

Barbara Reece at the Camp Venture Foundation says the show is really a wonderful expression of support for Venture's work with adults with disabilities. Their major fundraisers, like the annual holiday season Venture Cablethon and the upcoming Venture at Vertigo Annual Awards Party, are hard work, whereas the Suffern event is a generous gift.

She says several Camp Venture community residences are planning to be at the show Friday. "They really love it, and they love meeting the guys," she says.

After Michael Lewis poses for a photo with Paul Fuchs, he puts Fuchs in a mock headlock as both laugh. Alin Farris gives Kevin Clark a big hug, announcing, "I'll see you at the wrestling."

Kevin Wright talks again about pursuing dreams.

"No one can deny you your hopes and dreams," he tells the Venture consumers. "I hope you have that passion in your hearts."

 

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Supplemental Information

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Spotlight in History

  • 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

  • 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
  • 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-09
  • Mike Clancy Sep 9th Today!
  • Rancid Sep 9th Today!
  • Mr. Wrestling II Sep 10th
  • Les Mayne Sep 10th
  • Owen Sep 10th
  • Trevor Murdoch I Sep 10th
  • Vivian St. John Sep 10th
  • Kool Ade Sep 10th
  • Vic Nichols Sep 11th
  • Summer Thunder Sep 11th
  • Adrian Dell Sep 12th
  • Montego Seeka Sep 12th
  • Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
  • Bash Sep 12th
  • Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
  • Danni Bee Sep 12th
  • Animal Sep 12th
  • N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
  • American Anarchy Sep 12th
  • Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
  • Bobby Starr Sep 13th
  • K. P. Moore Sep 13th
  • Poder Oriental Sep 13th
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th
  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
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  • Bernie D Sep 14th
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  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
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