CRAIG POWELL

Coach Powell is a successful business executive as well as a former Division I Wrestler.  Coach Powell began wrestling at five years old, went on to win over 118 high school wrestling matches, remained undefeated with a  63-0 record in both his junior and senior years of high school, and won two state championships after placing fourth and third during his freshman and sophomore years of high school.  Craig grew up in Maryville, Missouri (the “Show-Me” Academy name is a nod to Missouri’s unofficial slogan, the “Show-Me State”).  Upon graduating Craig attended Blair Academy on a West Point Foundation scholarship, where he helped lead the team to its 42nd National Championship. During his time at Blair he amassed 32 wins and 0 losses competing against university programs as well as the preparatory high school circuit.  After graduating from Blair, Craig went on to wrestle at Brown University, where he was the captain for two years and attained All-IVY and All-EIWA honors.  While at Brown, Craig was fortunate to train with Olympic Gold Medal wrestler, Rulon Gardner (pictured), as well as other first-class athletes.

Craig graduated from Brown and, after a short stint on Wall Street, started his first company, ConnectEDU, when he was 22 years old.  He left ConnectEDU in 2013 and brought himself and his management team into a business, then called Corporate Reimbursement Services, which he and his team subsequently turned into Motus before selling the business in December of 2021.  In addition to his involvement in several software companies, Craig is actively involved with a number of philanthropic organizations. In particular, he serves as Chairman of Beat the Streets New England, which brings wrestling to underserved students and communities to teach life skills and discipline.

Coach Powell brings a vigor for utilizing the sport of wrestling and individual competitive sports – for instance, golf, gymnastics, jiu-jitsu, etc. – as an opportunity for competitors to learn about themselves, experience failures and setbacks, develop resiliency, believe and bet on themselves, address anxiety and anxious feelings, and, ultimately, learn numerous lessons that will carry them through life.  Coach Powell is vigilant about the importance of individuals coming together to be a part of something that is greater than themselves to achieve collective team goals.  

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