By JEFF OLIVER
MVI Sports
When George Galis was a youngster some 50 years ago, he got hooked up with the sport of boxing at the Charleroi Athletic Club.
Galis was an active boxer, trainer and at one point the manager of the boxing club. Over 20 years ago, his job with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) took him out of state to Maryland and his local involvement with boxing was cut short.
Galis has opened the G-Force Athletic Club, which is located on the third floor of the Charleroi Borough Building.
The fact that the new facility is located there is not a coincidence.
“When I was with the Charleroi AC, that’s where we were. That’s where I learned and trained as a fighter,” said Galis, 65. “And I don’t think I ever lost a fight there. So I think it’s kind of a good luck charm.”
Galis set up the G-Force AC as a non-profit organization with all funds earned through donations and fundraising.
“When I started out, I had no cost. All I needed was the desire and I had a place to train,” he said. “I know for sure back then when I wanted to start boxing, if there was a fee to join I would not have been able to do it.
“So, I want to give kids around the Mon Valley the same opportunity that I had. There is no cost to our members.”
Galis said he was planning his dream facility for over a year and he had a bevy of people and organizations he wanted to thank. At the top of the list are the IUPAT and Charleroi Borough Council. “The union has a PATCH (Painters and Allied Trades for Children Help) and I went to them and they were very generous financial sponsors,” he said. “And the borough was gracious enough to let us use the space for the club. Without their help, this doesn’t happen.”
He also mentioned his coaching staff of Mark Shrader, George Ross and Mike Opalinski.
“Years ago, I trained Mark and fought with George and Opie and I’m glad they all agreed to be involved.”
Galis said he currently has approximately 25 members who come to the facility to train. But he says he is hopeful of seeing that number grow exponentially once word gets out about G-Force AC.
The facility currently includes a ring, speed bags, heavy bags, boxing equipment and a growing assortment of weightlifting equipment.
“We are early in putting together our weight room, but it’s coming along,” he said. “We expect to get more weights and equipment.”
Galis said his initial plans were to operate the facility for youths ages 10-18.
“However, I have a few adults coming and I won’t turn anybody away,” he said. “What I’m really hoping to do is get some kids off the
GALIS • B2 FROM B1 streets, give them a new passion and something to do. I want to give them direction,” Galis said. “And I recognize there are adults out there in the same situation.”
The club is currently open from 3-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. until training is finished on Saturdays.
“I don’t care if our club doesn’t produce any champions,” he said with a smile. “I want all amateurs, kids who want to learn and are serious about it. The sport of boxing takes a lot of dedication and discipline. I just want to help out as many kids as I can.” Galis added that members get more than boxing and weight training when they go to G-Force AC.
“We start every day with about a 5-to-10 minute devotional reading,” he said. “I just want to introduce kids to Jesus. As we do the devotionals, I can see in their eyes some are getting it and others are not. And that’s fine. But I feel we could use more faith in our lives.”
Once the ball is really rolling, Galis says G-Force AC will host amateur fight shows and he will take his team to shows around the tristate area, including Golden Gloves competitions.
“When I was a kid, there was so much to do around here and even then there was a lot of down time for kids,” he said. “Today, our youth don’t have many opportunities I had. Some of them don’t even have a real good support system at home. It’s sad, but it’s reality.
“My hopes are that we can reach those kids and have a positive impact on their lives. That’s what drives me now.”