Author: Dan Altomare

Philadelphia, PA — This fall was as active as ever at Beat the Streets Philadelphia’s University City Headquarters. We had over 250 youth come to “The Office” for programming over the 12-week fall season. Youth from across the city came to University City to participate in mentoring, wrestling, and strength training under one roof in preparation for folkstyle season. The continued success of the center reflects a belief that has guided Beat the Streets from the beginning; all children have the potential to become productive citizens when they receive consistent support and opportunities to grow.

Programming at HQ

Programming at BTSP HQ begins for students immediately after school. It consists of mentoring, followed by group strength & conditioning, and capped off with a wrestling practice.

High School Wrestling

Our BTSP HQ high school wrestling club saw tremendous growth and consistency this fall. A total of 154 student-athletes registered for training at the BTSP Headquarters compared to 108 last fall! A special thanks goes out to our fall coaches for helping to make this season such a tremendous success:

• Felix Belga (Drexel Wrestling Alumnus)
• Daishawn Tilghman (BTSP Alumnus)
• Elliott Humphries (Penn Wrestling)
• Armstrong Campbell (Drexel Student)

K-8 Wrestling

K-8 wrestling is continuing to grow at BTSP HQ. 135 youth registered this fall compared to 60 last fall. Early engagement is a major focus — beginning our impact sooner gives young people more time to grow and build the foundation that can Positively Alter Life’s Trajectory.

Fall programming consists of pre-season training for our returning wrestlers, as well as select ‘Try It Days’ designed for youth who were brand new to the sport. These events focused on fun skill building and introducing families to the BTSP community.

• 135 registered participants
• Coaching staff
  • Anthony Panzarella (St. Joe’s Prep)
  • Les Brown (Martin Luther King High School)
  • Marius Garcia (Penn Wrestling)
  • Donny Almeyda (Penn Wrestling)

Mentoring at BTSP HQ

The mentoring center continued to serve as a central part of BTSP HQ this fall. It is a daily after school space where student-athletes receive academic support, strength and conditioning training, healthy meals and nutrition education, and a team environment. Students who attend scheduled mentoring sessions receive individualized attention, with an emphasis on mental health and wellness and academic success.

• 94 student-athletes participated in mentoring
• 2620 hours logged in the mentoring center (+60% from 1640 last fall)
• 33 youth logged more than 25 hours over the 12 week season

Supported by over 30 volunteer mentors including Penn and Drexel student-athletes and BTSP alumni

1:1 Mentoring

1:1 mentoring continues to be one of the most impactful components of the BTSP programming model. This fall we supported 17 individual matches.

The program is invitation based and designed for youth who have shown consistency and effort. This leads to stronger relationships and deeper investment from both mentors and mentees. All 17 matches from the fall will continue into winter.

Meetings occur at least once a week and often more. Each pairing focuses on what the student-athlete needs most:

• Extra wrestling sessions
• College exploration
• Strength training
• Academic guidance
• Goal setting 
• Open conversation 

1:1 mentors include current and former Penn and Drexel student-athletes and BTSP alumni. This fall we saw a large number of BTSP alumni coming back to serve as mentors and coaches which reflects the full circle nature of the BTSP community.

Program Highlights

Pumpkin Classic

A highlight of the fall season was the 2025 Conestoga Pumpkin Classic. More than 30 BTSP wrestlers from 11 different Philadelphia high schools competed, including a mix of first year wrestlers and student-athletes who have been with BTSP since they began wrestling in elementary school. To compete in the Pumpkin Classic each athlete needed to maintain above a 2.5 GPA and be an active participant in BTSP HQ programming.

• 2nd place team finish
• 89 matches wrestled
• 3 individual champions

Guest Speakers

This fall we hosted mentoring focused events that connected our student-athletes with financial and healthcare professionals. Our Election Day Camp provided a full day of learning and training when schools were closed. Youth participated in injury prevention, nutrition, and wellness workshops followed by a wrestling clinic led by Penn wrestlers. We also hosted speakers from WSFS, where student-athletes learned about financial literacy, career pathways, and personal growth from local professionals.

BTSP Gala

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s BTSP Gala. It was a chance for our community to come together and recognize the people who make our work possible. The guest speaker was BTSP alumnus, Liberty Scholar recipient, and senior on the Drexel wrestling team Aboubakare Diaby. Hearing his story was especially meaningful for the BTSP student-athletes in attendance who work with Aboubakare on a regular basis. 

We are grateful for everyone who continues to support the growth of BTSP and our student athletes.

Closing

This fall showed clear growth across BTSP HQ programming. We had more participants in our high school and K-8 wrestling clubs and more student-athletes took part in mentoring while logging more total hours in the mentoring center than ever before in a single 12-week season. We are grateful for the coaches, mentors, volunteers, families, and supporters who make this possible and who show up for our student-athletes every day.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and getting involved, please reach out to the BTSP team. Together we can continue expanding opportunities for young people across Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, PA — Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) is proud to announce the appointment of Edwin N. Morales as its new Program Coordinator. In his role, Morales will support wrestling and mentoring program initiatives across all age levels. At our marquee club, BTSP HQ, he will serve as a liaison between volunteer staff and BTSP leadership. He will lead evaluate programming, solicit feedback, and help to continually shape the program intelligently to meet the needs of our youth.

A former mentee of the organization, Morales is a passionate advocate for youth development
and an experienced mentor who is eager to give back to the next generation. His journey with
Beat the Streets began when he was a high school student, using the program’s support to
excel both academically and athletically. Morales went on to have a successful wrestling career
at the high school and collegiate levels, culminating in his graduation from college in 2023.
“I am extremely proud to say that I was part of the Beat the Streets family, and now I want to
give back in the same way this organization gave to me,” said Morales. “Growing up, I didn’t
know what or who I wanted to be. But with the help of Beat the Streets and incredible mentors, I
was able to see life beyond high school and the workforce. I went to college, pursued my
academic and athletic goals, and developed a mindset I never had before.”

In addition to his experience as a mentee, Morales brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.
He has worked in college admissions and financial aid, advising students and families on
navigating the complexities of higher education. He also brings valuable coaching experience,
having served as an assistant coach at his alma mater after graduating.

Morales will help further Beat the Streets Philadelphia’s mission to provide young people with
access to educational and athletic opportunities that inspire growth both on and off the mat. He
will work closely with local schools and partners to continue expanding the organization’s reach,
while also mentoring young athletes and supporting their academic and personal development.

Morales adds, “It’s not how you start, it’s about how you finish” – Edwin is a believer that regardless of your circumstances, you can always come out on top. He is excited to empower the youth we serve to think similarly and accomplish big things.

Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) is excited to announce that CJ Composto has joined the team as a Program Development Associate to support grant writing, marketing, and program leadership efforts. A standout student-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, Composto is a two-time NCAA All-American, Ivy League Champion, Midlands Champion, and three-time NWCA Scholar All-American, graduating in 2026 with a degree in Political Science. 

The opportunity to get involved with BTSP was one of the reasons that attracted him to wrestle at Penn. CJ first joined Beat the Streets Philadelphia in 2021 as a volunteer mentor, where he spent his time hanging out in the Mentoring Center, running workouts, providing homework help, and getting on the mats. He then quickly became part of the one-on-one mentoring program, where he developed a strong relationship with a senior from Central High School. 

During a gap year after his sophomore year at Penn, he continued to deepen his commitment by serving as a lead mentor, a coach at the BTS Wrestling Club, and an assistant coach at Mariana Bracetti Academy. A highlight of that year was attending the first-ever Beat the Streets National Camp and Duals, where youth from chapters across the country came together for a week of community and competition.

For CJ, Beat the Streets is more than just wrestling, it’s a community of people prioritizing  self-growth and encouraging others along the way. One of his favorite parts of Beat the Streets is that everyone involved truly wants to be there. As he steps into his new role, he is eager to channel that same passion into helping the organization grow through grant writing and marketing.

Philadelphia, PA – Beat the Streets Philadelphia is thrilled to welcome Scott Layer as the organization’s new High School Program Director. With more than three decades of leadership in education and athletics, Layer will bring his passion for mentorship, teamwork, and student success to Philadelphia’s wrestling community.

In this role, Scott will oversee our mentoring program, lead our High School club-based wrestling program, and bridge the relationship between BTS Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Public League Wrestling programs. More broadly, he will help to expand life-changing opportunities for student-athletes across the city.

Layer’s story reflects the same values he hopes to instill in the next generation. Growing up in Hatboro, PA, he was a standout three-sport athlete at Upper Moreland High School. He is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in football, basketball and track.  His dedication on the court earned him a basketball scholarship to Lehigh University, where he started as the team’s point guard for four years. The highlight of Scott’s collegiate career was playing in the 1988 NCAA Basketball Tournament, against #1 ranked Temple.  In addition, he was named Lehigh University’s Outstanding Male Student-Athlete in 1990.  After graduating, Layer spent 33 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and athletic director in the Cheltenham and Council Rock School Districts, shaping thousands of students’ lives along the way.

“Scott is living proof of the power that sport holds to shape lives,” said Dan Altomare, Beat the Streets Philadelphia Executive Director. “Given that, paired with his extensive background as an educator, we are excited to see how Scott will continue to lead, inspire, and guide our student-athletes as they pursue their full potential at Beat the Streets Philly.”As Layer joins the team, BTSP looks forward to continuing its mission of ‘Positively Altering Life’s Trajectory’ for young people throughout Philadelphia—one wrestler at a time.

Listen On

Spotify | Apple

In this episode with Jon Guevara, we discuss the upcoming Beat the Streets National Camp and Duals. Jon is the project manager for this event being held in Philadelphia for the first time. BTSP Executive Director Dan Altomare provides insight on what it means to host the event in the famous Palestra arena.

A Beat the Streets Philadelphia reunion will be held during the Camp and Duals. Details can be found by emailing Dan at daltomare@btsphilly.org.

Support the show

Listen On

Spotify | Apple

In this episode we talk with Dan Altomare. Dan is the new Executive Director of Beat The Streets Philadelphia. He succeeds James Mangan who has become the Executive Director of Beat The Streets National.

Dan shares his background and involvement in the Philly Wrestling Ecosystem from his days living in the Philly Suburbs and attending Temple University to volunteering at the Police Athletic League. Dan has held multiple positions at Beat the Streets and he shares his experiences and vision for the future.

Dan will become the new co-host of the Beat The Streets Philadelphia Podcast.

Support the show

Philadelphia, PA—Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) is excited to announce that it has named Dan Altomare as its new Executive Director effective April 1, 2025. Having been with the organization since 2015 as an intern, coach, mentor, and staff member, and most recently, as Director of Program Operations. Altomare brings with him a decade of experience with BTSP, where he played a major role in shaping, refining, and structuring both wrestling and mentoring programming.

Altomare first joined Beat the Streets Philadelphia as an intern in 2015 before joining the full-time staff as Director of Wrestling in 2017. During his tenure, he standardized our programming support model and developed key relationships with school & community partners, namely the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Athletic League. He also takes pride in having cultivating a culture across all programs that embodies our core values.

In 2021, with the expansion of our Mentoring Center, Altomare stepped into the role of Director of Program Operations where he led leading strategic planning and programmatic oversight over both wrestling and mentoring programming. He developed the plan to effectively/efficiently utilize the space, recruit participants, and create seamless continuity between wrestling and mentoring activities. The results were astounding – in 2024, nearly 600 youth participated in programming at the Mentoring Center alone. Across all programs, BTSP has eclipsed 1,300 wrestlers this year: a new all-time high.

“Dan’s long career with Beat the Streets Philly is a testament to his commitment to our mission”, said Clinton Matter, Chair of the Board of Directors at Beat the Streets Philadelphia. “He has an intimate knowledge of our program and a proven ability to identify/address the needs of the youth we serve. I am excited to see him lead this organization for years to come.”

Altomare was born and raised in Churchville, Pennsylvania just outside of Philadelphia. He graduated from Council Rock South in 2011, wrestling under legendary coach Brad Silimperi. It was here that he learned first-hand of wrestling’s unique ability to act as a tool for positive youth development. As an Eagle Scout, Altomare also deeply values community involvement and service to others. In his words, “Beat the Streets (Philadelphia) perfectly combines my passion for wrestling and commitment to service. Being able to use wrestling as a tool to help kids realize their full potential is a dream come true.”

As Executive Director of BTSP, Altomare will continue maximize our impact through our Mentoring Center, while expanding on existing partnerships to ensure access to wrestling for all Philadelphia youth. By galvanizing the existing network, and reinforcing it, Altomare aims to create a sense of permanence among BTSP programs; to ensure that this work continues in perpetuity.

Listen On

Spotify | Apple

Jimmy Lynch is currently the Executive Director for Athletics at the School District of Philadelphia. He joined the School District of Philadelphia in 2016. In this episode, Jimmy shares his experience working with Beat the Streets Philadelphia as a partner and some insight as to how the School District of Philadelphia looks to foster the growth of scholastic wrestling.

In the late fall of 2011, Pat Daly was wrapping up football season & his parents found themselves wondering what they could do to keep him involved in something during the offseason. Speaking with the parents of one of Pats teammates, the O’Neill’s, they learned about a wrestling program not too far from their home at the PAL Center in Port Richmond. While they didn’t know much about wrestling, they knew Pat enjoyed the physicality of football, so they figured it was worth a try!

Almost immediately, the family realized they had found something special. Pat recalls many welcoming faces and coaches who were eager to help. He remembers constant encouragement from coaches (Coaches Ed, Jim, & Brandon), making friends, and looking forward to Tuesday’s & Thursday’s each week! Pat’s parents were impressed as well, however they noticed something deeper. As Pat’s parents attended practices, they recall continually hearing about all the things that older wrestlers in the program were accomplishing off the mat:

“We were hearing that the older kids in the program were doing some pretty big things. Jameel Coles had been accepted to the Hill School, the Stevens boys were headed off to the Hill School & Archbishop Wood (respectively), and Dymir Carruth was headed off to college at Ithaca! We saw the opportunities that some of these kids were getting through this program and through this sport — We remember thinking that could be Pat one of those kids somewhere down the line.”

Hearing about the opportunities these kids were earning through the sport and seeing the caliber of the high school aged young men/women coming through the PAL/BTSP program were significant selling points to the Daly’s. They knew that if Pat stuck to it, he could become one of those types of kids. (spoiler warning: they were right!)

As much as his early years at PAL were fun for him in many ways, the sport of wrestling didn’t come easily to Pat. In fact, in his first five years participating in the sport, Pat didn’t win a single match – but he refused to be deterred. While he admits now that it wasn’t always easy to keep trying, he also acknowledges that with each practice he could feel himself taking steps forward. His coaches certainly recall Pat’s struggles; however, they all say that what stood out about him was his infectious smile and constant eagerness to improve. Then, finally, in 2018 Pat began putting it together on the mat & developing a package of moves that worked for him. Pat started winning…a lot! After a couple of successful seasons, this past winter Pat placed at almost every tournament he wrestled in and became a PJW State Qualifier!

Beyond his own determination, something else that kept Pat coming back was the impact the sport was having on him personally. He and his parents noticed how he was developing as a young man and attributed a lot of that development to his participation in wrestling. Pat was gaining confidence and becoming more disciplined both in the classroom and his personal life! In Pat’s words “I learned that if I told my coaches/teammates I would be somewhere, I owed it to them to be there. With schoolwork, with my parents, and with my friends, I learned that same idea applies.” Teachers would consistently comment on his leadership, responsibility, and work ethic.

Further, Pat believes wrestling has helped him to improve his focus and ability to learn. He’s always worked hard and brought home good grades, but Pat learns a little differently than many of his classmates. The success he’s had has required a lot of additional time and energy on his end; it’s been far from easy. Pat says that over the last couple of years he’s learned to break down lessons he learns in school into smaller, easy to understand steps — an idea that came to him after realizing the success he’s had learning wrestling technique that way!

Pat’s tremendous work in the classroom and his stellar character are leading to big successes. In just a few short weeks, Pat will begin his freshman year at Roman Catholic High School, where he’ll also wrestle and play football! Pat is excited for high school in general, but he also can’t wait to take full advantage of the BTSP Mentoring Center and continue being a leader in the PAL wrestling room.

We’re so proud of Pat & all that he’s accomplished to this point in his young life! Pat has big goals ahead. Following high school, he plans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps — plans he’s had since he was 8 years old according to mom/dad & this story we wrote on Pat back in 2017 when he was our ‘Wrestler of the Month’. We have no doubt that Pat will continue to push forward, cultivate success, and continue to be a fantastic role model for the younger generation of PAL wrestlers for years to come…Congratulations Pat!

When asked ‘What does Beat the Streets Philadelphia & PAL mean to you?’, Pat & his parents had some powerful words. In the interest of letting their quotes speak for themselves, I’ve included their quotes below:

“Beat the Streets & PAL are both such a big part of my life. There are so many friends & coaches there who care about me and that means a lot. My whole family lives on my block & I was really the first one to branch out. BTSP & PAL helped me be different & become the person I want to be.”- Patrick Daly Jr.

[Editors Note: A couple of weeks ago, BTSP founding Board Members Clinton & Brett Matter, joined by their father Andy, sat down with Track Wrestling to discuss the vision behind BTSP (see below). Pat’s father had recently watched the interview & had this to say about it…]

“That neighborhood Andy [Matter] was talking about, that’s our neighborhood & our block. That kid who needs a positive outlet – that’s Pat. When he got started at PAL, we were just a couple of young parents looking for something positive to give our son to do. We saw what the older kids were doing and what they were achieving & to see Pat getting to that point is special. To sum up what it all means though, Beat the Streets & PAL is a family, it really is.”- Patrick Daly Sr.