Many Join in on the Celebration at the 2025 BTS National Celebration of Impact

Just between sessions on Friday afternoon across the parking lot at the Lincoln Financial Field, the music began to play, the food was placed, and a sea of wrestling fans, BTS coaches/staff, and Olympians began to fill the room. The 3rd annual BTS Celebration of Impact kicked off with Swoop, the Eagles mascot, welcoming guests of all ages to join the fun! Once checked in, guests were greeted by Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders in true Philly fashion before they made their way downstairs to find their friends or meet Olympians like Jordan Burroughs, Sarah Hildebrandt, Coleman Scott, Terry Steoner, Brandon Slay, Kerry McCoy, Zain Retherford, and the 2025 BTS Ambassador Award recipient, 3x Olympian, Helen Maroulis.

 

 

Swoop and the cheerleaders, joined by BTS National Executive Director, James Mangan, kicked off the program leading the crowd as they erupted with joy, “E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!” As the room filled with excitement, Mangan began to describe his childhood years, growing up just a few miles from the stadium where he now stood. “In a 3 bedroom home, with my family of eight, it was wrestling that changed my life.” It was stories similar to Mangan’s that made the need for BTS in Philadelphia so apparent to the Matter brothers, two of the founders of BTS Philadelphia, one of which is the current Chairman of BTS National, Clinton Matter, who introduced the dedicated philanthropist and supporter of BTS Philadelphia, Ira Lubert. Many guests attended the nearly sold-out evening to hear from the successful PSU alum.

 

 

The evening’s keynote speaker, philanthropist and supporter Ira Lubert, shared his insights on the transformative power of youth sports and the importance of organizations like BTS in driving change.  It was Ira who reminded the crowd of the great responsibility that lies in all of us to make the world a better place and give back when provided with an opportunity to help others. His inspiring remarks set the tone for the presentation of the BTS Ambassador Award to Helen Maroulis. Maroulis was presented the award by three very incredible individuals, longtime BTS Philadelphia athletes and PA state finalists Julissa Ortiz and Samiyah Rahming and BTS Lancaster student-athlete and 2x state champ, Journey Rodriguez. Helen expressed her gratitude for being part of the BTS community as a BTS DC Board Member and BTS National Social Ambassador and emphasized the importance of supporting youth athletes nationwide through programs such as Beat the Streets. 

 

 

Helen was not the only award recipient; a young philanthropist in the making, Hayden Schwab, was awarded the BTS Ultimate Wrestling Fan Award after raising more than $6,000 for the BTS National Gear Up Initiative.

 

 

Clint Matter, Chairman of BTS National, closed the evening by highlighting the collective power of the BTS community. “It is pretty incredible to have Ira Lubert join us to speak about the transformative gift on behalf of the organization, have Helen come up and share her experience as an athlete in the sport of wrestling, a coach and mentor at BTS then hear of Hayden, who raised money as a high school athlete to help better the lives of others. It’s a really powerful moment to see that throughout the different stages of life we can all do something to help others and everyone in this room can play a pivotal part in changing the lives of the youth we serve.”

 

 

The event closed with local leaders from each city joining the BTS National staff on stage recognizing their steadfast determination to alter life’s trajectory, followed by acknowledging the visionary leaders in the crowd who are the critical funders of the mission. 

Thank you to our Sponsors!

PRESENTING SPONSORS
Latham and Watkins
Post Brothers

GOLD
Oline Construction
Harris Philanthropies
The Hyman Family

SILVER
Wendi Priest

BRONZE
USA Wrestling
Tom Keebler and Bob Courey
WrestleShield
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Conner Strong and Buckellew
Ascent

SUPPORTER
The Farm Wrestling Camp
Gear 2 Compete

Link to 2025 Celebration of Impact photo gallery: Haley Agy Photo