BY ANDREW FAISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
andrew.faison@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN—The Franklin High School wrestling team will host the Southside School of Professional Wrestling for a fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

Doors to the gym will open at 3:15 and seating will be first-come, first-serve. Advance tickets are $5 and $12 for ringside seats. They can be purchased at the high school beginning Monday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan 18. Tickets at the door will be $7 and $15, respectively.

First-year Franklin assistant wrestling Coach Sumner Bradshaw is coordinating the event, which he will participate in.

“I have loved the sport ever since I was a kid,” said Bradshaw, an art teacher in Franklin for five years. “It will allow the kids to see a different more personal side of me.”

“I thought this would be a good fundraiser for the team,” he added. “It will also help gain exposure for both the wrestling team as well as professionals in this area.”

Proceeds will help the team buy T-shirts and warm-ups, and cover expenses for regional and state tournaments.

“It is always nice to raise the funds versus having the kids come out of pocket,” said Franklin Head Wrestling Coach Daniel “Bull” Johnson.

Johnson hopes the fundraiser will be successful and become an annual event.

“I think this fundraiser is a good idea,” said the 14-year head coach. “I know a lot of our kids grew up on this type of wrestling. I grew up watching wrestlers like Rick Flair wrestling with my granddaddy every Saturday and Sunday.”

Don Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant will donate all proceeds from concession sales during the event to the wrestling team.

“I am all for helping out the school and their sports teams,” said Franklin restaurant owner Frank Padilla. “I am just trying to be a source of good encouragement to show the kids that there are people out there standing with them. I think it’s great what the coaches are trying to do.”

A party will be held at Don Pancho’s from 6 to 8 p.m. for people to meet wrestlers and get photos and autographs.

“We just wanted to find a way to thank Frank and Don Pancho’s for the donations for the concessions,” Bradshaw said.

For more information, call the school at 562-5187, Bradshaw at 556-4842, Johnson at 651-8483 or Coach Guy Freeman at 556-1169.