Blackman wrestling community picking up pieces after fire

The Murfreesboro community and wrestling family has been quick to come to the aid of the Blackman wrestling program, which lost its practice facility to a fire Sunday evening.

However, there are lost items that money can't replace.

Among the many items that were lost in the fire were three wrestling mats, exercise and weight training equipment, computers, time clocks, wrestling shoes, uniforms, bags, trophies and plaques.

Those things, through time and with money, can be replaced. What can't is a banner that hung in the building in honor of former wrestler Daniel Winters, who died in an automobile accident a week before the state tournament in 2015.

The banner was signed by hundreds of wrestlers around the state.

"That was the biggest loss," Blackman wrestling coach Ronnie Bray said. "You can't replace that."

"We're sick about that," Blackman Principal Leisa Justus said. "You hate to say (the fire) was devastating because no one was hurt, but the loss of a lot of things that was in there is just awful."

Items inside the building, located behind Blackman Middle School on Blaze Drive, were a total loss. Other things, such as the structure itself, are being determined. Rutherford County Schools and insurance adjusters are currently assessing damage.

"I've been talking to (Bray) and the central office, and we will get them what they need," Justus said. "They are looking at it (Thursday) and go over what was there and get an estimated loss. They're also going to determine if the structure itself can be salvaged."

For things that can be replaced, insurance should cover most. The community also has stepped up.

Blackman Wrestling Club, which is not affiliated with Blackman High, has started a GoFundMe page with a goal of $100,000. Donations were spreading quickly, with more than $3,000 raised in the first 24 hours.

Club president Matt Sells started the GoFundMe page. His son, Matthew, was a two-time state champion for the Blaze.

"There's a lot of people sharing but not donating yet," Matt Sells said. "As we get a little clarity on what the county (and insurance) will do, we will know more and can direct in different ways. Typically (on GoFundMe pages) you want to raise a certain amount of money to purchase XYZ. When it's more clearly defined, we'll know what we need."

The support has been a welcomed sight to Blackman coaches and administrators.

"That's wrestling," Bray said of the support. "We take care of each other. We've had so many area schools (Eagleville, Oakland, Wilson Central, among others) tell us if we wanted to come there (to practice), we were more than welcome."

Added Justus: "Everyone has been, 'What can we do.' Different sports (at Blackman) have reached out and asked if they can help."

The building housed four programs – Blackman Youth Wrestling Club, Blackman Middle, Blackman High and MTSU.

Wrestling teams don't begin practicing until the first week of November, giving the teams and school a little time to figure out a plan.

"If our season was during football season, we would be in trouble," Bray said. "We still have a few months before we start practicing. We'll see where we're at."

Added Justus: "We have to find them a place. We're looking at practice areas and different options. We have one mat, a brand new one, that was stored here. They can use that.

"We have to make some decisions, but we can't until we know what it is. It's all too early to say."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.