Hall Of Fame
Volunteers & Board
A Gym With a Mission.
The People Behind the Scenes
Julio Velazquez
Nathan Cantu
Ray
Naomi Esquivel
Adrian Guzman
Daniel Rodriguez
David Babb (Board Chair)
Sylvia Del Raso (Treasurer)
Dr. John Pandolfino (Director)
Calvin Taylor (Director)
Daniel Michel (Director)
Benjamin Estrada (Director)
CYBC’s Hall of Fame showcases the individuals that our scholarships are dedicated to. Since 2013 Chicago Youth Boxing Club has given out over $45,000 in scholarships.
Courage. Perseverance. Dignity.
“Father Figure To Many, An Open Door To All”
Victor Rodriguez, who passed away at age 52, was devoted to his family and community, advocated for social justice, and was a well-known pastor at La Villita Community Church. Born in Durango, Mexico, Pastor Vic’s life in Little Village began at age 9. In 2006, the Chicago Youth Boxing Club moved into the church, where Pastor Vic became the executive director. He was a person of great passion who treated everyone with care and love, and he guided his church to keep youth off the streets by serving as the center for the Chicago Youth Boxing Club. His efforts in establishing positive relations between the communities of North Lawndale and South Lawndale also earned him a reputation as a peacekeeper. Pastor Victor made sure to give everyone the time they needed, even if that meant waking up in the middle of the night. His place in the community is honored by a mural on 22nd Street, which bears his picture and mission.
“Don’t mess with Coach Chupi, he’s the tough one.”
Coach Chupi loved boxing, and he loved to train. He came to CYBC from the famous Windy City Boxing, where legends were made in the early 1970s. Coach Chupi arrived at CYBC in 2007 and volunteered for a year before he was hired as Senior Coach. Chupi had an eye for raw talent and you knew when he was in the gym because of his loudness and salsa music. Chupi’s training style was unique, and he used music to show the boxers how to move their feet. Coach Chupi worked at Temple Steel and then would come to the boxing club daily to end his day. He loved the youth and invested in many of their lives with time and money. He was a very giving man. Coach Chupi died on June 15, 2015, he was the old cranky man in all the boxing movies but was greatly loved by CYBC.