Beat the Streets Philadelphia is proud to announce a generous contribution through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program from Rush Order Tees & Ninja Transfers. This support directly supports our mission of Positively Altering Life’s Trajectory for Philadelphia youth by helping to fuel our mentoring program located in University City.

What makes this partnership especially meaningful is the shared connection to Philadelphia. Rush Order Tees was founded in 2002 in Huntingdon Valley, PA, growing from a local startup into a leading eCommerce custom apparel and promotional products company serving customers nationwide and in Canada. As a family-owned, minority-owned, business employing more than 350 people across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, their continued investment in local communities reflects a deep commitment to the region they call home.

We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to investing in the young people we serve. Partnerships like this allow us to continue providing structured, supportive environments where student-athletes can grow both on and off the mat.

What This Support Makes Possible

EITC contributions play a critical role in sustaining and growing our mentoring programs. Through this support, Beat the Streets Philadelphia is able to:

• Provide consistent, adult mentorship to student-athletes across the city
• Maintain academic accountability through regular grade checks and support systems
• Offer safe, structured after-school programming
• Expand access to personal development opportunities off of the wrestling mat
• Prepare students for success in high school, college, and beyond

Each investment strengthens our ability to serve more youth and deepen our impact across Philadelphia.

What is EITC?

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program is a Pennsylvania state initiative that allows businesses and individuals to redirect their state tax dollars to support approved educational and youth development programs—like Beat the Streets Philadelphia.

Through EITC, eligible contributors can receive significant tax credits in exchange for their support. This makes it one of the most effective and efficient ways to give; allowing donors to make a meaningful impact on local youth at a reduced out-of-pocket cost.

Learn More

We are always eager to connect with individuals and organizations interested in supporting our work through EITC.

If you would like to learn more about how the program works or how you can get involved, we encourage you to reach out. Our team is happy to walk you through the process and help determine if EITC is a good fit for you or your organization.

The post BTS Philly Receives EITC Support from Rush Order Tees & Ninja Transfers first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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.

The post BTSP Headquarters Fall Programming Update first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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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.

The post BTS Philadelphia Names Program Coordinator: Edwin Morales first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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.

The post BTS Philadelphia Names Development Associate: CJ Composto first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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.

The post BTS Philadelphia Names New High School Program Director: Scott Layer first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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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.

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Beat the Streets Philadelphia is proud to announce that 11 of our wrestlers have earned the opportunity to compete at the 2024 USA Wrestling 16U & Junior National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota this July—one of the most prestigious youth wrestling tournaments in the country. The following BTS Philly wrestlers are excited to represent Philly on the big stage next month:

Representing Pennsylvania on the national stage, these athletes are stepping into a spotlight reserved for the best. Fargo is more than just a tournament—it’s a proving ground for future champions, a launching pad for collegiate dreams, and a celebration of the countless hours of dedication our kids have put into this sport.

We are incredibly proud of this group and all they represent: resilience, hard work, and the powerful impact of community support. Last year, Luis DeSilva and Samiyah Rahming brought home hardware from Fargo — we’re excited to see who will rise to the occasion this time around.

Opportunities like this aren’t just about medals—they’re about growth, confidence, and believing in what’s possible. Let’s go Philly!

Help Us Get to Fargo

Sending 11 student-athletes to the USA Wrestling National Championships is a tremendous honor—but it also comes at a cost. With expenses totaling approximately $1,200 per wrestler, this opportunity represents a significant investment in the futures of our kids.

We believe every young person who earns a spot at Fargo deserves to be there—without cost being a barrier. Your support helps cover travel, lodging, meals, and competition fees, ensuring our athletes can focus on what matters most: showing the world what Philly is made of.

If you’re inspired by our kids and would like to support their Fargo journey, please consider making a contribution to help us create a life altering experience for our youth.

The post BTS Philly Sending 11 Wrestlers to Fargo first appeared on Beat the Streets.

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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.

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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.

The post BEAT THE STREETS PHILADELPHIA NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAN ALTOMARE first appeared on Beat the Streets.