Our Story
THE GARLAND POLICE
9TH STREET GYM
Founded in 1995, the Garland Police 9th Street Gym provides Garland youth with free boxing training, positive mentorship, educational support, and life skills.
THE BEGINNING
The Garland Police Boxing Gym was founded in 1995 by David Swavey and Steve Martin.
In 2002, Officer Kris Hostrup of the Garland Police Department joined the program as a way to interact with Garland’s youth and build a trusting relationship between young people and the police department.
The program was also created to give the city’s youth a positive place to receive boxing training and learn important life skills. The hope was that providing structure, mentorship, and opportunity would reduce the attraction of gang involvement and help lower youth crime in Garland.
LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY
One of the gym’s original goals was to help every student enrolled in the program graduate from high school.
A full-time educational tutor was added in 1998. Students were expected to maintain an average of at least 75 in each class to participate in daily gym activities. Those who fell below that standard entered a probationary period and attended mandatory tutoring sessions at the gym.
Students also received help learning how to apply for college grants and scholarships, with several participants earning partial or full educational scholarships.
SHOWING DISCIPLINE
The Garland Police 9th Street Gym is a free program dedicated to teaching discipline, responsibility, and practical life skills.
Since opening in 1995, the gym has provided thousands of young people with a safe place to train, learn, and grow. Through boxing, mentorship, and accountability, the program remains committed to building brighter futures and a stronger Garland community.
BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES.
The Garland Police 9th Street Gym remains free to Garland youth through the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners.