Hawkeye Wrestling Academy
Launches "A Home of Our Own" Campaign
A $4M fundraising initiative to build the HWA Life Training Center, a permanent home for their wrestlers and a launchpad for life.
Hawkeye Wrestling Academy
A $4M fundraising initiative to build the HWA Life Training Center, a permanent home for their wrestlers and a launchpad for life.
The Hawkeye Wrestling Academy (HWA) is officially inviting the community to be a part of its next chapter.
Saturday, August 29th the HWA launched its "A Home of Our Own" campaign, a $4 million fundraising initiative to build the HWA Life Training Center — a permanent home for the academy, for training on and off the mat, and that will impact young people far beyond their wrestling careers.
The Story
Five years ago, the HWA was founded by Alex Marinelli, a four-time Big Ten Champion and four-time All-American for the University of Iowa. It started with just two kids.
Families were drawn to the culture, the expectations, the leadership, and the environment surrounding the kids. Today, the HWA serves more than 200 young athletes, with athletes from across the country joining during the summer for camps and open-mat sessions.
Although the HWA is a separate organization from the University of Iowa, the academy primarily trains in the old Carver-Hawkeye Arena wrestling room — a space that has been a huge blessing. With continued growth of the academy and all the programs they want to offer, they are in need of a permanent home.
"We want these kids to have a place they can truly call home. A place that offers more than just wrestling practices."
— Alex Marinelli, Founder & Head Coach
The Vision
The HWA has already secured approximately $1 million in commitments from individuals who believe in this vision. With that foundation in place, the public phase of the campaign begins today.
A site has been selected in the Johnson County area and a state-of-the-art facility has been designed around the needs of athletes and families. With the rapid growth of women's wrestling, providing dedicated locker rooms and spaces for female athletes and coaches is essential.
The Facility
Plus dedicated coaches offices
With a one-way glass designed to maintain a healthy relationship between the athlete and parent
This project has been in the works for nearly 3 years. Now the vision is ready to be shared.
The Mission
The HWA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Wrestling instruction is only one part of the mission.
The HWA Life Training Center will provide hybrid homeschooling opportunities and educational programming including financial literacy, public speaking, mental health and mindset training, leadership development, as well as other important life skills.
"We want to develop champions, but our definition of a champion goes far beyond wins and losses."
Community
Alex and his wife, Moriah Marinelli, are committed to giving back to the community that has supported their family.
At the HWA, every kid deserves the opportunity to be surrounded by great leaders. Leadership means serving others.
In a culture that can get consumed with rankings, trophies, and recruiting, the HWA aims to be a light reminding young athletes that who they become in life will always matter more than what they accomplish on the mat.
Get Involved
Every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in giving these kids a home. Choose a donor wall level from Bronze to Legacy Gift and make your impact today.
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