Volunteer coach shares his passion for boxing Published Sept. 23, 2004 MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A maintenance staff sergeant here offers people an alternative to being on the street, one that teaches them lifelong skills. In turn, those people teach him how to become a better coach and allow him to be involved in the sport he adores.And in the process, Staff Sgt. Edwar Rivas, flying crew chief with the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and volunteer boxing coach, earned the Military Outstanding Service Medal for his dedication and devotion."I love boxing," said Sergeant Rivas. "I love working with the children and seeing them progress."Since August 2002, the San Antonio native has volunteered more than 900 hours at the Boys and Girls Club boxing program in Tacoma. He wanted to get involved in boxing and learn how to coach, and the club has a structured boxing program he liked instantly."I had been to other clubs and it was chaotic," said Sergeant Rivas. "[At those clubs] there are four or five coaches with their own little group of children, doing their own thing. Here, everyone learns the same skills, everyone is on the same page. There is no preferential treatment, and that's what I liked about [the club]."U.S. Olympics boxing team head coach Tom Mustin, who also coaches at the Boys and Girls Club, agreed to make Sergeant Rivas a coach there.Within 12 months, Mr. Mustin recommended Sergeant Rivas to coach the Air Force boxing team from October 2003 through January 2004. The team earned four gold and four silver medals in the U.S. Armed Forces Championships."I'm really fortunate because now I'm learning [how to coach] from somebody with more than 30 years experience," Sergeant Rivas said. "When I was younger, I didn't have anyone to show me how to throw a proper punch. I had to learn the hard way."Sergeant Rivas said he sparred growing up, but he was basically told to get in the ring and defend himself. He was never taught the "basics.""I wasn't very good," he said, noting that he never competed as an amateur.Commonly referred to as "Coach Eddie" by his athletes, the 34-year-old said he wants to teach children the correct techniques of boxing. His athletes learn how to properly throw a punch, return to guard position, and when to move left or right.The boxers aren't allowed to continue on to circuit training or sparring until they demonstrate they can follow instructions and focus.None of his pupils are military family members, and all come from various backgrounds."Boxing brings in all walks of life," said Sergeant Rivas. "I wanted to deal with and affect certain people. Kids want discipline and structure. Boxing is discipline, work ethics, responsibilities -- lifelong skills -- and that's what I want to teach them."He coaches up to 50 athletes, who range in age from seven to 35 years old. He is at the gym Monday through Thursday, for up to three hours a night. Even his coworkers notice and applaud his dedication and hard work."His love for helping underprivileged children coupled with his love for boxing has driven him to spend every free moment coaching," said his supervisor, Master Sgt. Todd Mighell. "In spite of him having no prior experience coaching and being deployed for 331 days, he soon showed himself to be a natural."Sergeant Rivas said when he's not deployed he's either at the gym or with his family. "When I come back [from a deployment], I run home, say hi to my wife and daughter, drop off my stuff and head over to the club," he said.In addition to his military deployments, Sergeant Rivas also deploys with his athletes to tournaments around the country, but not if they don't adhere to the strict rules."They have to keep their grades up," Sergeant Rivas said. "And they have to keep out of trouble. It helps out the parents also. It's almost like tough love. You hate to take it away from them, but you also want a good balanced athlete."The self-described "quiet guy at work" wants to open his own gym after he retires. In the meantime, his goals are to knock the Army out of competition in the U.S. Armed Forces Championships and to one day coach for the U.S. Olympic team.The 12-year veteran, who left the service in 1998 and returned after September 11, 2001, because he wanted to serve his country, plans to stick with coaching and credits his military service with helping make him a coach."I have a different appreciation for the military now. And besides, if I hadn't come back to the military, I wouldn't be coaching now," he said. Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division Office of Public Affairs 503 Ward Drive, Room 214 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335 618-229-7821