SGT S MATTHEW BAYNARD FOUNDATION

The Sgt. S. Matthew Baynard Foundation was established in 2013 to promote the advancement of amateur athletics. We provide financial assistance to young athletes who otherwise would not be able to participate in sports. We also provide baseball, football and soccer cleats, wrestling shoes and sports equipment to both individual athletes and to school teams in need.Sgt. S. Matthew Baynard died suddenly on July 22, 2012 from complications stemming from injuries he suffered during deployment in Iraq, serving with the Army, but was not deployed at the time of his death. Matt served in C Co., 3-38 ABN, 201st LRS, stationed at JBLM in Washington.Matt played baseball, football and wrestled as a kid. He was on the NC National Wrestling team for 3 consecutive years and a 10 year member of Strong & Courageous Wrestling Club. He was a 2 time Freestyle State Champion, a 3 time Greco State Champion and a 5 time All American wrestler. Before the Army, Matt had plans to wrestle in the Olympics. He was an avid body builder and was training in Brazilian Ju Jistu at the time of his death.Matt planned to get his degree in Personal Training and open a gym in his hometown of Naples NC upon his medical discharge from the Army. He wanted to create a permanent home for Strong & Courageous Wrestling Club and open up the world of youth sports and training to all kids, not just those who could afford it.The Sgt. S. Matthew Baynard Foundation is our way of seeing Matt's dream come true and helping kids gets the training, equipment, mentoring and support they need to excel in all areas of athletics. Please consider donating to the dream!!