Since 1936
About Us
More than 80 years of amateur boxing!
Our Mission
The KC Golden Gloves is dedicated to amateur boxing as a way to develop discipline, respect, and wellness in its athletes and empower the next generation of leaders and citizens in the Kansas City area.
Our Vision
With a rich history, the sport of boxing provides an environment for teaching and inspiring confidence, work ethic, physical and emotional well being, sportsmanship, social development and a culture of citizenship. Our vision is to create a community of dedicated athletes, coaches, officials, spectators and supporters of amateur boxing to achieve our mission.
The KC Golden Gloves regional championship is the longest running sporting event in Kansas City history, with the first regional Golden Gloves tournament held February 1936 at the Old Convention Hall on 13th and Central, sponsored by the Kansas City Star Newspaper. During this era, only newspapers or radio stations were permitted to sponsor a Golden Gloves franchise. Ernie Mehl, a sports writer and later Sports Director, was appointed Golden Gloves Director. Under his direction, many successful tournaments were held.
In 1937, the new Municipal Auditorium was completed and the Second Regional tournament was held with approximately fifteen boxing clubs from the franchise area including Chillicothe, Joplin, Springfield and St. Joseph participating.
During World War II, under the leadership of Charlie Myers and assistance from Tom McHugh, the franchise prospered by support from the Teamsters Union, National Alliance of Businessmen and the Kansas City, Missouri Welfare Department (now the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation), Hayes A. Richardson, Director. The Kansas City Star relinquished sponsorship of the Golden Gloves in 1947 and Charlie continued his tenure until his death in 1966.
After Charlie Myer’s death, one of the Golden Gloves supporters, Dr. James DiRenna assumed duties as the Director and was instrumental in reorganizing into a non-profit corporation in the State of Missouri and was its first President.
All revenues generated by the Kansas City Golden Gloves are turned back into our program to purchase boxing equipment for new and existing clubs, for team travel, and to fund scholarships for our boxers.
History
Make a Change
Board of Directors
Chris Walden
President
As a certified USA Boxing official in the ring and President of the KC Gloves, Chris Walden stays involved with amateur boxing because of its unique ability to grow kids into outstanding men and women. He works as an Investment Advisor at Heartland Capital Advisors.
Phone: 816-665-1114, Email: chris@hcadvisorslc.com
Tony Chiaverini
Vice President
Arguably the most successful professional boxer in Kansas City history, Tony Chiaverini has helped grow KC amateur boxing since he hung up the gloves in ’83. Besides serving as Vice President, Tony sits on the scholarship committee and volunteers as an official.
John Brown
Vice President, Delegate
The founder and former president of Ringside now serves as a co-VP for the KC Gloves after a successful tenure as President. John Brown also fills the role as the delegate to USA Boxing, of which he is the former President.Day-to-day you can find John at Turner Rec. Center, coaching.
Phone: 913-287-2111, Email:
Christina Carlos
Treasurer
Christina joins the Board with a BA in Business and an Associates in Paralegal studies. She has been employed as an Education Solution Specialist for the past 14 years. She has been involved in the local and national boxing community for the past 10 years as a Level II USAB Official, a certified coach, and most importantly a boxing mom. She has been instrumental in the production of the KC Golden Gloves Regional Tournament. She is also the mom of two accomplished boxers who have made their mark on the local and national boxing community.
Email: christi_marie@aol.com
Angel Obert
Secretary
Angel started working with KC Golden Gloves in 2015. She currently works for Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KCK, Kansas Parks and Recreation Department as the Recreation Division Manager. Previously oversaw the TBA boxing program and has been involved with KCGG ever since, as it provides an excellent opportunity to work with the amazing youth of our community.
Missy Fitzwater
Director of Marketing
Athlete Representative
Missy is a boxer and coach at Turner Boxing Academy. As a two time KC Golden Gloves Champion, she made history in 2018 when she became the first female boxer from KC to enter the ring at the National Golden Gloves. Missy serves as a Women’s Ambassador to USA Boxing. When she’s not in the gym, you can find her writing about boxing for several different websites and blogs, creating content and promotional materials, and managing our social media and website.
Email: missyfitzwater@gmail.com
Ken McAlpin
Chief of Officials
Ken McAlpin started as a certified USA Boxing official in 2008. In the years since then, Ken has judged more than 3000 amateur bouts. Away from the ring, Ken works full time as a sourcing Specialist with Black & Veatch. He also volunteers as a tour guide and docent at the KC Automotive Museum in Olathe, KS.
Rick How
At Large & Tournament Director
Rick is one of our KC Golden Gloves volunteer officials. He joins the board with 20 years of experience as a Manager and Sr. Implementations Specialist at DST. Rick will be facilitating our fund raising efforts, and has taken on the monumental position of Tournament Director.
Thomas Huitt-Johnson
Athlete Representative
Tommy is a multi-KC Golden Gloves champ, who is now a volunteer official. He is a two time national bronze medalist and a former boxer on Team USA. Tommy was a recipient of the Thomas Sarge Johnson scholarship awarded by USA Boxing and also received the KC Golden Gloves scholarship for multiple years helping him earn a bachelor’s degree in convergent media. Along with his four brother, he is a coach at Johnson Brothers Boxing in St. Joseph.
Craig Cummings
Head Coach
Craig Cummings brings his lifelong boxing expertise to the KC Golden Gloves as our Head Coach. Cummings began boxing at age 5 and enjoyed a highly decorated career as an amateur under the coaching of his father and boxing staple for many years, Tom Cummings. The father son duo would transition into the professional ring, where Craig would forge an illustrious career. Eventually Craig would follow his father’s path and began coaching up and coming professional and amateur boxers, establish his own boxing promotion company, and serve his community as a KCMO Firefighter.
Eddy Guillen
At-Large
Athlete Representative
Eddy is a long time member of the KC boxing community. He is a multi time KC Golden Gloves Champ, and a member of the legendary, history-making 2017 National Golden Gloves Team Champions. He has also been an athlete on several National KC Golden Gloves teams. Eddy now dedicates his time to coaching the next generation at the Whatsoever Boxing Club, where he is instrumental in guiding and mentoring the lives of the young men and women he coaches.
Matt Priest
At-Large
Matt, who recently served as Treasurer to the KC Golden Gloves, now serves as a member at large. Matt has also served as the Tournament Director for the Regional Championships. Matt is the father of Eric Priest, a KC Golden Gloves Champion, a member of the legendary 2017 National Golden Gloves Team Champions, and is now an undefeated professional boxer.
Stephen St. John
Member at Large
Steven is well known as a radio personality at 810 WHB, the largest all sports station in the nation. Passionate about all sports, he has a special affinity for boxing. Steven is a KC Golden Gloves Boxer who also stepped through the ropes as a pro boxer, and a ring announcer for ESPN2, Fox Sports Net, and CBS sports. He gives back to the community by supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kansas City Downs Syndrome Guild, and many others. Steven has been a long time supporter of the KC Golden Gloves
Cam F. Awesome
Athlete Representitive
Cam
Izak Carlos
Athlete Representative
Izak joins the board with 11 years of boxing experience. He has won multiple state and regional tournaments along with other tournaments like Gene Lewis. He is also a KC Golden Gloves Champion and has been ranked in the top 5 in his weight class at different times throughout his boxing career. Izak is currently pursuing his Associates Degree in General Education and is one of the recipients of the KC Golden Gloves scholarship.
Matt Tomasic
Member at Large
Matt was born and raised in Strawberry Hill and served on the Kansas City Missouri police force for 23 years. Now retired, he feels that it’s an honor to lead the PAL of KCK. During his time on the police force, he saw first hand the lasting benefit of strong relationships between officers and the communities they serve.