B.J. FutrellPHILADELPHIA -- Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) is proud to announce the hiring of B.J. Futrell as the new Mentoring Director. Futrell will work closely with BTSP executive staff, and critical partners: Penn Wrestling, Drexel Wrestling, and the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center to deliver mentoring to BTSP Student-athletes.
Futrell was a resident athlete at the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center from 2016-2019. During this time, he served as a coach and mentor at BTSP, working extensively with student-athletes.
Futrell returns to Philadelphia after serving as an Assistant Coach at the US Naval Academy during the 2019-2020 season. Under his leadership, Navy qualified five wrestlers for the NCAA Tournament and crowned two EIWA champions. Additionally, Navy had three wrestlers become NWCA Scholar All-Americans.
Collegiately, Futrell was a two-time All-American for the University of Illinois, placing sixth at the 2012 NCAA Tournament and eighth in 2011. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and twice achieved NWCA Scholar All-American status. Futrell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology in 2012 and a Master of Education degree in educational policy studies in 2013.
On the Senior Level, Futrell was a member of the 2017 US National Team and a 2014 University Worlds silver medalist. Throughout his career, Futrell placed at over 20 different Senior-level events and won titles at the Dave Schultz Memorial International, the Bill Farrell International and the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial in Bucharest, Romania. He was also a member of the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club team that brought home a title from the 2016 Club World Championships in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Futrell will begin his new position in September and is eager to make an impact within the program.
"It is always worth more to invest in people than to invest in things. BTSP is a pipeline of grace, mercy, love, and truth into the students and families of this community. I believe in the mission, and I will use my skills and experience to raise consciousness and lead to effective action and social change. I want to live a life dedicated to service. I couldn't be more excited to serve the communities of Philadelphia as the Mentoring Director at BTSP," said B.J. Futrell.
As part of an organizational restructuring Ben Reiter, who has been serving as the Mentoring Director since August of 2017, will transition to a newly created Senior Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships position. Ben expanded the impact of Mentoring through collective impact, innovative curriculum, and personal passion for the mission.
"B.J.is a dynamic individual with a first-hand understanding of the vitally important work of mentoring BTSP student-athletes. Having served as a Mentor, Coach, and Partner in the past will allow B.J. to have an immediate impact on the organization as we build on past success and position for a rapidly evolving future," said Executive Director James Mangan.
At BTSP, we strive to positively alter life's trajectory of the youth we serve by living the core values of Grit, Compassion, Service, and Team.
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