I was just thinking about you the other day; I was talking about boxing with some of my aircrew and wondered how things were back in Traverse City. I live in Hawaii, and I’m deployed to Iraq right now, writing this email from work. I’m a pilot for the US Navy flying on the P-3C Orion, and our squadron is currently flying support of coalition forces in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. I want you to know that all the work I put in at Trigger helped me become who I am today and has been a factor in all my success. So thank you, I hope you can keep that gym going for years to come.

Devin

I began boxing with Bill and Robbin Bustance when I was 15 years old. I was unmotivated, poorly behaved and had little confidence heading into high school and life in general. I didn’t have many friends at a new school I was attending, which made it difficult to compete in sports I had grown interested in.

It wasn’t until I began boxing with Bill and Robbin when I made the significant changes in my life that made me who I am today. Bill coached me into an athlete but taught me how to be a man. He gave me the confidence I needed to find success in the ring, school, and my every day life. He took a chance on me (the kid that never got picked) and believed in me which was something no one ever did for me. I was the Golden Gloves State Champion in the Novice Division in 2006 and also won Most Out Standing Novice Boxer out of a fleet of 112 fighters. I now attend Western Michigan University majoring in finance, and also work part-time for a consulting firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Ian Wagner

I feel awful that I have not been able to see you guys. Working out of town really takes a toll on not just your family but on your friends and social circle as well. In fact, that is the reason for this e-mail. With me being gone so much, it has put a real burden on Janet to try and raise the kids and be both mom and dad. I cannot tell you enough how much it means to us to have the two of you working with Dominic, and not just in the boxing arena. We both feel that Dom is getting so much more out of his association with you guys than just ring skills. While the obvious things like his coordination and timing and overall athleticism have improved tremendously due to his participation in your sport, what is even more amazing is his overall confidence, the way he carries himself and his demeanor in general.

We, as parents, could not be more thrilled with the strides he has made both academically and socially. I know that Dominic really looks up to Bill, and as his father, I really cannot tell you enough how much you have helped our family through this difficult period.

It’s kind of funny, because when we first met you guys, we both pegged Robbin as a sweetheart and Bill as the big, ol’ rough bear. While we still think of Robbin as a sweetheart, we have a pretty soft spot in our hearts for the bear as well. What you guys do with these young kids in helping them develop in to the gentlemen that they are is truly amazing, and we are so thankful that we stumbled on to the Trigger Boxing gym and want you to know that we will be forever grateful for all that you have done for our son. Every young man in America should be so fortunate to have such caring, albeit somewhat tough, coaching. Hope to see you soon.

Your friends,
Mike and Janet Piscopo

Trigger Boxing is a great organization that is run by Bill & Robbin Bustance. They continue to work with At-Risk kids, work with the Probate Court and charitable groups to identify young people in our community to better themselves. The program marks the individual progression, determination and effectiveness in their programs. But most importantly, it focuses on their lives and well-being and how to be a successful as a person.

Thank You,
Robert Kewaygoshkum

My mind flashes through 15 years of memories. I can think of dozens of fighters. Some had something to prove in the ring, others had more to prove to themselves. My story is some of both.

I started training with Bill when I was fifteen years old. Despite having cerebral palsy, I competed in basketball and golf in high school. I had limited mobility, but begged my dad to allow me to box. Even with my handicap, Bill was willing to train me. Basketball and golf were fun, but I wanted more. “More” proved to be discipline, self respect, and a lifelong friendship.

At fifteen I learned discipline while working out. The discipline that I learned while boxing quickly transferred into other parts of my life. Bill and Robbin had a steady hand in preparing me for the future. It was regular for bill to adjust my left-hook, critique my term paper, and act as my counselor all on the same visit. Discipline helped me graduate 3rd from the top in my high school class and earn a state-funded academic scholarship to college at Michigan State University.

Boxing in college helped me gain self-respect. Bill’s guidance helped me win consecutive Regional Golden Gloves Championships in 1998 and 1999. The Golden Gloves officials also recognized me with the Stanley Ketchel Award for outstanding boxer of the regional tournament in both 1998 and 1999. My dream of Golden Gloves State Championship fell short on the scorecards of the last fight in 1998. In 1999 I lost a split decision for the state championship....

Fifteen years later, and I am now coaching along side Bill and Robbin. They are my lifelong friends. Whether it was a hug at my dad’s funeral or a wink at my wedding, they have always been there for me. I graduated from MSU in 2000. I have a beautiful wife and a healthy son. I became a coach in 2001 in hopes to teach discipline, self-respect, and friendship.

Jimmy Cosgrove
Specialty Sales Representative
Eli Lilly Cardiovascular Division

Bill and Robbin Bustance became almost like parents to me. We developed a strong relationship and I became proficient in boxing and by the time I started college, I had learned enough skills at Trigger Boxing to get a full ride scholarship for boxing at Northern Michigan University. If Trigger Boxing weren’t in existence in Traverse City, I would never have made it to Athens as an alternate team member for the 2004 Olympics.

Tim Skolink

The discipline and skills learned through Bill have carried far beyond boxing. I can say I am a strong person both physically and mentally. Thank you Bill.

Tom Brayton

I’m 22 years old and I’m in the best physical shape of my life. A year ago I would not have been able to say the same for my health. I weighed 235 pounds and couldn’t even run a mile. That is when I decided to do something about my health while I was young and still able to do something.

I started by exercising and by changing some bad habits. I lost 10 pounds and decided that I would lose some more weight by going to a gym. That is when I started going to Trigger Boxing Club. At Trigger Boxing Club I’ve gained a lot of positive things. I learned many new exercise programs, self defense, self discipline, and competitiveness. With the knowledge and help of Bill and Robbin Bustance, the trainers at Trigger Boxing club I lost another 65 pounds and now weigh a healthy 160 pounds.

I just want to say thanks to Trigger Boxing Club. I’m physically and mentally stronger and have gained the knowledge to stay this way for as long as I apply myself.

Mitchell Sullivan

Boxing has changed the way I live, react and communicate. I have been boxing with Bill Bustance for six years and from the six years I have gained life lessons that still guide me to this day. The advice and lessons that I receive from Trigger Boxing has helped sculpt me to who I am today. I am in college doing well, and working full time. Meanwhile going to the gym helps calm my everyday stress from life, school and work and it brings me mentally to a place I can’t go anywhere else.

Through the years I have become to look at Bill as not just a coach but more as of a father/friend figure who I look up to. Trigger Boxing has helped to gain more confidence and power and meanwhile set me up for the life lessons I encounter.

Jacob Laman

My name is Kurt Berry. I intend on making my name famous through the ways of the sweet science. I’ve been boxing for five years now and Trigger Boxing gym, (Bill/ Robbin) is the way to get me there. My first two years boxing I had a few fights which led me to the Junior Olympics. The Junior Olympics was the only tournament or fight I’ve ever done without Bill or Robbin in my corner, and I will never have another coach in my corner after that. It doesn’t feel right.

After the Junior Olympics came the State Golden Gloves tournament. When I was of age to fight in the Golden Gloves my first year at 17, my first fight was against the same kid I lost to in the Junior Olympics. I was nervous at first yet confident after Bill talked to me and we put together a game plan for the fight. Most people think it’s just a boxer in a fight, but they don’t realize that the coach in the corner is just as important as the boxer fighting. And that they both need just as much prepping for the fight. Anyway, I won that fight along with five or six others until the last fight for the state championship. I lost in the finals against a ‘brawler’ who had been fighting for many years. I ended up as the Runner Up for the State of Michigan, as well as the Western Michigan Champion.

The following year in the Michigan Golden Gloves, I was set to fight a fighter who had been boxing since he could walk. The boy was used to fighting light heavyweight, but this year he was fighting as a middle weight. I had seen him fighting in the ‘open’ division since I started, yet I was not nervous but eager to fight him. During the fight however, I felt more alive than I ever had, and believed I put in an excellent effort to win this fight. I stayed on plan and should have been given the decision after all three rounds, but as a boxer, anything can happen when you leave it up to the judges. Unfortunately, they gave the home town favorite the decision even though the announcers and most of the audience favored my performance. Sometimes you can learn more from your defeats, so next time I plan on doing even more to ensure that there is no doubt about who gets the decision.

Moving forward this year, I plan to win the state tournament and go to nationals in Seattle. as I continue to develop into a top contender in the boxing ring, my short and long term goals are to be in the 2012 Olympic games in London and my even look to turn pro by the time I am twenty-five.

Kurt Berry

Trigger Boxing Gym LLC • 1220 Woodmere Avenue • Traverse City, MI 49686 • Phone 231-933-7050

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