Welcome New Staff Members!

Qydarius Cooley, aka. Qyn, is our newest boxing coach and support staff member. He is a La Crosse native who was introduced to The Good Fight by his friend (and our head boxing coach!), Kai. He would come to box almost every day and, since he had already started building relationships with some of our kids (who like to slap his head and call him Michael Jordan- I don’t know why), it was a natural progression for him to become a staff member and get paid for it. Qyn works part-time, Monday through Friday, in and out of the boxing gym. He helps our kids learn the fundamentals of boxing, as well as discipline and how to have a winning mindset. He also enjoys playing Pool and talking with these children and, in return, they like to think they can give him unsolicited dating advice. In his free time Qyn likes to box (of course), go longboarding, and both listen to and produce music.

 

James Spalding, known, for some reason, to our email server as “James James”, is our data analytics intern and all-around tech guy. He grew up in Chicago, moved to Delavan, WI at the age of 12, and then attended UWL, initially for computer science because he’d always loved computers. However, after a year and a half of computer science and engineering classes, he discovered he actually preferred the math classes (bewildering, really) and decided to become a Statistics major. He figured that was the best option available to apply his math knowledge in the technology field. James had never heard of The Good Fight until he got a message in his school email about an internship opportunity with us and he applied for it. And we’re so glad he did! He helps us show the world the demonstrable results of our work, which helps us get grants and donors to support our mission and vision. James James loves technology, Asian food, and Blue Heeler dogs. He particularly enjoys spending time with his girlfriend’s Blue Heeler (and, I assume, his girlfriend). His advice to our kids, and to everyone, is to show off your favorite pair of shoes even if it means eventually wearing them out or getting them dirty. In other words, accept things as they are in the face of the little annoyances and inconveniences of life and don’t let fear hold you back from enjoying it!

Welcome aboard, gentlemen. We’re glad you’re here!