We lost a member of the Peters Twp. wrestling community this week and his family needs support, prayers and help as they mourn their loss.

 

Ricky Mitchell, father of two youth wrestlers Ricky Jr. and Gabe, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday evening in his home.

 

Ricky was a multi-sport athlete (wrestling & football) in nearby Bellaire, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served multiple tours in Iraq for our country prior to retiring. “Big Ricky“ was as quiet at times as he was colorful when he volunteered as a Peters Township Youth Wrestling Coach. Ricky, his wonderful mother Selina, and his two sweet little boys Ricky Jr. and Gabe, who attend Bower Hill Elementary, moved to Peters Township a few years ago. They had an immediate impact on our wrestling community. He gave so much to the place we call home. Now, his family needs our help.

 

Ricky helped coach the young kids of Peters Township Youth Wrestling with incredible passion, enthusiasm and heart. He arrived to practices early, cared deeply about the development of the young boys and girls he coached, and could be seen dashing from mat to mat during tournaments and matches to make certain every child had a coach in their corner. He high-fived kids in victory and gave them words of encouragement in loss and he didn’t leave until every child wrestled. Ricky made virtually every parent smile with his pre and post match commentary.

 

Any parent of a young athlete can relate, but for many of these kids wrestling was the most intimidating situation they found themselves in, this early in their lives. The bond they establish with a wrestling coach is special. They’re out there on a island, screams and cheers, often in deep water and Coach Ricky was one of the people kids are looking in the eye as he walked them through the match. His boys are sweethearts, but he would frequently dream “in a few years they’re gonna be beasts, I can’t wait until they’re big enough to wrestle with them myself!”

 

A bold man indeed, Ricky proudly flew his Cincinnati Bengals flag in his front yard in the heart of Steelers country.

 

The coaches, families and kids of Peters Township Youth Wrestling are rallying behind Ricky’s family and we ask for your help.

 

Anything you can contribute will assist the family of a man who fought for the nation we love and helped the children of so many members of our community.

 

Spread the word, share this with your friends and family and let’s do all that we can for little Ricky Jr. and Gabe in honor of a man who gave so much.

 

- Peters Township Youth Wrestling family