Philadelphia's Legendary Blue Horizon boxing arena has hosted the stars of "Rocky" and some of the greatest middle-weight fighters of all-time - but its most recent competitors were amateur boxers from Penn's graduate school community.
The latter visitors were not due to an out-of-control rivalry between the various graduate schools. Rather, fighters were there for the 4th-annual Philly Fight Night, held February 23.
The event was organized by Wharton graduate students to raise money for their non-profit organization, "Fighting for Philly Kids."
"For the record, yeah, Wharton won more fights," joked lead organizer and 2nd-year Wharton MBA student Chris King-Sidney. "But that's not what it's about."
The event raised $40,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, an organization committed to helping the city's children reach their potential as individuals and become involved in activities. The Clubs do this through efforts like providing after-school and summer programs, tutoring and homework support and mini-sports leagues.
King-Sidney presented the $40,000 check to Jeffrey Waldron, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, at a luncheon on May 21. Waldron called these results "just phenomenal for [the organization]."
King-Sidney echoed these sentiments, explaining that the 2007 event raised just $25,000.
"We really. knocked it out [of the park] this year," he said.
This jump is especially impressive because, though it is run by Wharton MBA students, the University is not affiliated with "Fighting for Philly Kids" because it is centered around a boxing event. King-Sidney calls the lack of support "unfortunate," but something that he and other organizers were nonetheless able to overcome.
"We got a lot more district revenue," he said. "And we got a lot more creative with our sources of revenue," he added, citing the sale of everything from T-shirts to VIP seating.
According to Waldron, 15,000 kids benefit from the 11 Clubs in the Philadelphia area, and the money raised will provide program support - that is, extra resources for staff and activity supplies- for all of these Clubs.
He added that not only was the effort "tremendously generous" of Wharton students to organize, but is great because it "introduces the organization to the future business leaders of America. [and that exposure] is priceless."
The organization is already looking forward to next year's event. "It's a blast! A really good time for a really good cause!" Waldron said.
Waldron also encouraged anyone interested to get involved with the Clubs.
