A pair of Hunter wrestling alumni, Hooman Tavakolian and John Tush, were recently at the Beat the Street Wrestling Fundraiser in Times Square on Thursday, May 21 featuring USA vs. Cuba. The duo were there as spectators as well as presenters of a scholarship to a very well deserving graduating high school wrestler.
 
Beat the Street is a program that uses wrestling as the vehicle through which young people achieve their full physical, cognitive, and social potential and develop into strong and effective individuals and members of the world. The initiative works with middle and high schools in all five boroughs of New York City to provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of personal responsibility, physical fitness, education and teamwork.
 
In collaboration with the event, Tavakolian and Tush presented the Become Your Own Dream Scholarship recipient to Nathanael Rose of the Eagle Academy High School. The BYOD Fund was founded in 2011 by Tavakolian, his wife Lorelei Martin-Tavakolian, and Tush. The scholarship is in its fifth year and awards one college-bound high school wrestler who possesses athletic achievements in school, good moral character, has ambitious short and long term goals and wants to give back to the community.
 
"The sport needs everyone's support," stated the fund's founder. "Wrestling is not as big as basketball or football so we need to bring awareness to the city, share our vision and most importantly, give back to the community."
 
Tavakolian transferred to Hunter College in 1996 after sustaining an injury Hofstra University where he also wrestled. During his time donning the Purple and Gold uniform, he wrestled in three weight classes from 157 to 174 pounds, was named All-Conference, All-State, and was named the captain during his senior year by long-time coach Bob Gaudenzi.
 
In 1999, he graduated with a degree in Psychology from Hunter and went on to earn his MBA from LIU-Post, and a second masters degree in the Science of Law with a focus on Compliance from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in California. He currently works at a major hedge fund in NYC and has been there since 2005.
 
Tavakolian has remained active in the wrestling community since departing Hunter; he was an assistant coach under Gaudenzi from 2000-02 and continued to wrestle himself at the New York Athletic Club. He was training partners with Terrence Madden, who was the Division III National Champion at 184lbs in 2007, Hunter's first national champion. Tavakolian last competed back in 2012 when he took part in the Veteran World Championships in Budapest where he made it to the quarterfinals. Additionally, he won the Veteran National Championships twice at the 187lb weight class both in 2009 and 2010. The Hunter grad also has deep roots with his Iranian background and is the US delegate for the Iranian National Wrestling Team.
 
Tavakolian recalls his best memory at Hunter was his teammates. "My teammates were everything," stated the grappler. "All my best memories are with them and coach Gaudenzi. Also, it's great to have been connected with John Tush, a former wrestler and Hunter Hall of Famer. We work together a lot and we share the common Hunter bond."
 
Tavakolian resides in Long Island, NY with his wife and two kids who have another on the way.
 
To find out how more information on the Become Your Own Dream Fund, visit www.byodf.com.