Fighting for a cause; Sweat Academy and Swag wrestling provide entertainment and hope to Albany community

Sweat Academy and Swag Wrestling hosted a fundraiser for Monroe Football, but their goal goes far beyond helping local athletic programs.

ALBANY, GA- Monday evening saw the South Georgia SWEAT Academy and SWAG Wrestling host its first ever pro wrestling event in Albany, where wrestlers fought for a cause.

Georgia’s pro wrestling roots date back into the 1940’s and 50’s, but SWEAT Academy is the first pro wrestling school ever in Albany.

“We had a great crowd, we had great participation and it was just awesome for the community and awesome for the city. A portion of the proceeds is going to benefit Monroe High School. We’re not just doing this for just one school, we’re going to branch out to other schools as well,” Said Yaz Johnson, event promoter and host of “Let’s Talk” radio show.

Wrestler and head SWEAT Academy trainer, Logan Stevens, believes hosting fundraisers like this for local schools’ benefits athletes, parents and administrations as a whole.

“I am passionate about children having something to do. Just like we need funds to do the wrestling school, they need funds to keep it going. Sometimes, parents can’t do everything so we’re trying to help out and other school systems that want to reach out to us and help raise funds, we’re here,” said Stevens.

The proceeds from this event will help Monroe Football’s Touchdown Club provide meals, travel, equipment and more to their athletes. But the overall goal of SWAG and SWEAT Academy goes far beyond just helping local athletic programs.

“I want to make sure we’re giving the community and kids in the community get their aggression out. We have a lot of aggression here in the city, we have a lot of violence here in the city and what SWEAT Academy and SWAG Wrestling want to promote is, you come into pro wrestling we will teach you how to hone that. Instead of going out and shooting, fighting, getting in trouble, getting like up, killing and all of that. Let’s get in the squared circle where it can be choreographed, it’s not fake, but it’s choreographed and it can be controlled,” said Terence Fowler, Co-Owner of SWEAT Academy and Owner of SWAG Wrestling.

SWEAT Academy trainee/pro wrestler, Alexander “Xander” Spencer, says joining the academy has shaped him as both an athlete and person, and he encourages all who may be interested to give it a shot.

“What I’ve gained is knowledge, learning to grow and be a better human, treating others with different respects. Wrestling involves everyone from all walks of life. So, it’s nice to be able to grow as a human, grow as a team and really have an awesome support system from an awesome group of guys,” said Spencer. “We can offer the growth, we can offer teamwork, we can offer stability. We are motivational towards youth, we are motivational towards Christ, we are motivational towards everything and getting people off the street, helping them in the better way we can and helping them improve their lives. And if taking stress out happens to be here in the wrestling ring, we’d love to have them.”

If you wish to keep up with SWAG Wrestling and the SWEAT Academy you can follow their facebook page. 

If interested in participating or have any questions about fundraiser partnerships, you can call (678) 834-9155 or e-mail SweatAcademyALB@gmail.com