FB Pixel Skip to Main Content

Western Boxing Club Brings Home Two National Titles

western wrestling team

A long legacy of winning boxers continues as the Western Boxing Club brought home two 2022 United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) National Championship titles. The champions were coached by Tom “T.J.” Barber. The boxing legend brought his expertise to Western Colorado University in 1972 when he started the club. Just two years after the club began, Barber’s team brought home two state champions, four second place titles, three third place titles and won the state team championship. Since then, the boxing club has been no stranger to winning.

Pursuing a Passion

After competing in the National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, senior Garrett Lane is the USIBA 2022 201-pound Beginner/Novice class champion. He started boxing as a senior in high school and fell in love with the sport.

“I think when I was 18 it was more just something to prove,” said Lane. “But now I do it for the mental benefits.”

Lane said he has enjoyed learning to move in ways he didn’t before in boxing. Lane’s plan after graduation is to continue working as a contractor for his current internship, but he holds the club close to him.

“I just don’t think I could give enough credit to Coach Tom,” said Lane. “There were moments during our training for nationals where we couldn’t practice together because we didn’t have a space. Coach would call me every day to hold me accountable and keep me going.”

Finding the Right University

wrestling team members Club President and junior, Daniel McCord, brought home the USIBA 2022 154-pound Open Class National Championship title. McCord began his boxing career as a sophomore in high school, but, like Lane, didn’t start competing until his senior year as well.

“I was looking for something new to do and just followed a buddy to the gym,” said McCord. “Since then, the sport has taught me quite a bit.”

After visiting Western as a senior and touring the campus with coach Barber, McCord made his decision to come to Western and compete with the boxing club.

“There aren’t a lot of schools that have boxing available, so it was a rare find,” said Mccord. He said he stays in the sport to feel the rewards.

Improving Skills

“It’s just a really hard sport and takes a lot of dedication, so winning feels really good,” said McCord.

Although McCord is dedicated to his competition, he finds additional payoff in his role as the president of the club, such as acquiring leadership and organizational skills. Additionally, the two champions say they’ve benefited most from sparing each other.

“Coach Tom says when a heavy weight spars with a middle weight, the heavy weight gets faster and the middle weight gets stronger,” said Lane. “I think when you watch the fights you can really see that play out. There was no one stranger than Danny, he was pushing all of his guys back. No problem.”

Finding Success

While he’s proud of both the champions for winning their titles, Barber said the goal of the Western Boxing Club is not just winning.

“It was a success because we won, but it would’ve been a success if we lost, too,” said Barber.

“The most important things are not accomplishments. It’s what inside that’s important.”

Though their national titles are an exceptional accomplishment, the boys hope to continue their winning streak in the 2022 Colorado Golden Gloves tournament in June 2022.

Learn more about Western’s Club Sports.

 

 

Author Credit: Kinlee Whitney

Photo Credit: Tom Barber

 

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western
Students pose for a photo on top of Mount Crested Butte in the summer

Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western
Colorado Hall with the Palisades in the background on a bluebird day.

Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community
A group of four alumni look at an old photo that one of them picked up from a selection of photos that were printed and laid out for the Ski Team Social event.

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

Request
Information
A few students pose for a photo behind the Multicultural Center table at the Admitted Student Day Club Fair.

Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.