Pro wrestling returns to Springdale with fundraiser for high school marching band

Sounds of wrestling ring bells and body slams will be music to the ears as a local pro wrestling promotion partners with a Springdale Junior-Senior High School booster club to raise money for its marching band.

The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance returns to the Donald C. McGhee Fieldhouse for Springdale Slam 3 on Friday.

The annual event benefiting the seventh- through twelfth-grade musicians and color guard was canceled the past two years due to the pandemic.

“The parents, the kids, everyone involved are really excited to host (it) this year,” said Susan Blanchflower, president of the Springdale Parent Band Association. “Just to be at a live event is really priceless.”

Band parents will be working the concession stand and ticket booths.

The hope is to sellout the 700 seats in order to help offset costs for band festivals, equipment and trips.

A secondary goal is to boost interest in the younger students to pick up an instrument. There are only 18 students in the band — including one color guard member. It’s led by band director Stephen Smietana.

“We’re small but mighty,” Blanchflower said. “It’s a place they can learn and grow musically, and my kids are still friends with their friends that they’ve made in band. It’s a program that family members can do together.”

Freshman Gavin Zahner will help collect donations and take photographs to document the experience.

Shawn Patrick, former association president and 1983 graduate, helped organize the first Springdale Slam.

Known in local wrestling circuits as “The Pride of Springdale,” Patrick is KSWA’s senior official. He has about 15 years’ experience with the promotion and nearly 35 years wearing the black-and-white stripes in Western Pennsylvania. He will referee the upcoming title matches.

“It’s quite an honor to come back to the hallowed halls of Springdale High school,” said Patrick, 56. “I never thought I’d come back as an alumnus in any capacity where they would pay to see me.”

The March 2020 Springdale Slam was canceled just days before it was scheduled to take place. It was the first of many events to go as schools and venues began to close at the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

Patrick said he’s ready for the fundraising tradition to resume.

“We’ve been doing some other shows, but they have been (at) outside venues,” he said. “We’re finally getting back to a sense of normalcy, turning the curve on the virus and coming back strong.”

Matches

There are eight matches on the card.

Tyler Grayson takes on Man-Child with Freek E. Doyle in the hybrid’s corner.

Former tag team champ Mitch Napier will be in singles competition against Edric Everhart.

“Officer” Dan Murphy will attempt to arrest “Big Country” Matt McGraw.

A lucky fan will likely be involved in the T-Rantula and Beastman battle. The former has been known to go into the crowd to take a nacho platter and use it on the latter.

Shawn Blanchard will try to put mud in the “Face of Pittsburgh” Lou Martin in a contest between two former heavyweight champs.

Current heavyweight champ Anthony Alexander joins Shane Starr and Justin Sane in a three-on-three match against J. Ru, Lucio Deveer and Malakai Gage.

The Five Star title will be on the line as champion “The Regent” Joshua Kavod defends against Harley T. Horris.

The winner of that match will have a future title defense against whomever survives the 10-man battle royal main event. The card is subject to change.