Tomorrow’s Leaders Workshop with Gary Bednorz and Coach Luke Smith

Posted: April 2, 2025

This past Sunday, we had the pleasure of hosting our seventh Tomorrow’s Leaders Workshop, part of our series of ten planned sessions. 82 athletes joined us for a day dedicated to learning, mentorship, and skill-building. The event began with a College Application Workshop led by Gary Bednorz, who offered invaluable insights into the college admissions process. Students gained a deeper understanding of application strategies, scholarship opportunities, and how to stand out to college recruiters. Bednorz also explored military options, financial aid and scholarships.

After the workshop, athletes took to the mats for a special session with Luke Smith, Head Coach at NCAA Division I CSU Bakersfield. As a four-time NCAA qualifier from Central Michigan, Coach Smith brought a wealth of experience, sharing technical drills, mindset strategies, and lessons learned from his collegiate wrestling journey. He focused on an underhook series, demonstrating various techniques for Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

CSU Bakersfield presents a promising option for our Tomorrow’s Leaders aspiring to wrestle at a nearby Division I college, and Coach Smith’s session offered a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to experience his coaching style and the program’s culture. Workshops like these are integral to our mission of empowering the next generation of student-athletes, helping them prepare for success both on and off the mat. Thank you to everyone who attended—your dedication to growth is truly inspiring! We look forward to seeing you April 27th at Workshop 8!