Melrose Athletic Club

A Fighting Chance For Our Youth

Serving Roanoke youth through boxing, mentorship, and community since 1972.

MORE ABOUT M.A.C
MORE ABOUT M.A.C
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donate to m.a.c

"Champ" Started It. We Never Stopped.

Boxing Builds Champions. Football Builds Character. Roanoke Builds Both.

Champs Gym youth boxing program graphic Melrose Athletic Club Roanoke Virginia

Discipline builds champions. Mentorship builds futures. Champ's Gym builds both.

ABOUT CHAMP'S GYM
ABOUT CHAMP'S GYM
M.A.C youth football program helmet graphic Melrose Athletic Club Roanoke Virginia
ABOUT M.A.C FOOTBALL
ABOUT M.A.C FOOTBALL

The Programs That Change Lives

  • Youth athletes training at Champ's Gym boxing and athletic program in Roanoke Virginia

    Boxing and Athletic Training

    Champ's Gym builds the full athlete: agility, strength, footwork, and mental toughness. Rooted in amateur boxing, our training develops skills that translate to every sport and area of life. Open to Roanoke youth ages 8 and up. No experience necessary.

    JOIN CHAMP'S GYM
  • Coaches and youth participants at Melrose Athletic Club mentorship program in Roanoke Virginia

    Mentorship

    Every young person who walks through our doors gets more than a workout. They get a coach, a community, and someone in their corner. Our mentorship program pairs Roanoke youth with experienced guides who show up consistently and invest in their future.

    BE IN THEIR CORNER
  • Melrose Athletic Club community members and youth at gun violence prevention program in Roanoke Virginia

    Gun Violence Prevention

    Melrose Athletic Club has been a safe, drug-free environment for Roanoke youth for over 50 years. Through structured programming, community outreach, and the discipline of sport, we give young people a positive path forward and a reason to stay on it.

    JOIN THE MOVEMENT

The Numbers Behind Our Mission

City Proclamation: The City of Roanoke officially recognized Champ's Gym for five decades of service to this community. We didn't ask for it. We earned it.

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Youth Participants
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Years of Service

What Our Community Says

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    "Excellent environment for amateur boxing. A true asset to the Southwest Virginia community."

    -Judith Bowman

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Great spot for boxing lessons, burning steam etc. staff is great

    -Traci Macklin

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Great place for the youth. Stepson and I love it here. Great people to be around

    -Andrew Milks

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    The best gym...for boxing, comradery ,exercise, self esteem and most importantly... just plain fun.

    -Robert Bolling

What's Happening At M.A.C

From the boxing gym to the football field - there is always something worth showing up for.

M.A.C Football now enrolling youth ages 8 and up Melrose Athletic Club Roanoke Virginia
SEE ALL EVENTS
SEE ALL EVENTS
Champs Gym now enrolling youth boxing ages 8 and up 915 9th St NW Roanoke Virginia free to join
GET INVOLVED
GET INVOLVED

Everything You Need To Know

Questions about Champ's Gym, M.A.C. Football, or how to get involved in Roanoke, answered.

Question 01
How old does my child need to be to join Champ's Gym in Roanoke?
We welcome Roanoke youth ages 8 and up. No boxing experience is necessary. Just a willingness to show up and put in the work. Our coaches meet every young person where they are and build from there. Whether your child is interested in boxing classes, athletic training, or just needs a structured environment, Champ's Gym is open to beginners and experienced athletes alike.
Question 02
Is Melrose Athletic Club free for youth in Roanoke, VA?
Champ's Gym boxing program is $50 per month per youth. M.A.C. Youth Football has a $75 registration fee plus equipment rentals coordinated directly with families. Melrose Athletic Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If cost is ever a barrier for a Roanoke family, reach out to us directly and we will work something out. No young person should be turned away.
Question 03
What boxing and athletic programs does Champ's Gym offer in Roanoke?
Champ's Gym offers youth boxing classes, full athletic training, one-on-one mentorship, and gun violence prevention programming in Roanoke, Virginia. We also run M.A.C. Youth Football through the Hurricanes program. Every program is built around the same core belief: discipline, community, and someone in your corner can change the trajectory of a young person's life.
Question 04
Where is Champ's Gym located in Roanoke, Virginia?
We are located at 915 9th Street NW, Roanoke, Virginia 24016 in the heart of the Melrose neighborhood. We have been right here serving this community since 1972. The gym is open Monday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome. If you are searching for a boxing gym near me in the Roanoke Valley, we are here.
Question 05
How can I support Melrose Athletic Club as a donor or volunteer?
You can donate directly through our website, volunteer your time as a coach or community helper, or spread the word about what we do in Roanoke. Every dollar keeps our doors open and our athletes on the floor. If you are a local Roanoke business or organization interested in sponsoring M.A.C. or partnering with us, we want to hear from you.
Question 06
Is Champ's Gym affiliated with USA Boxing or any other organization?
Champ's Gym is a division of Melrose Athletic Club, Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in Roanoke, Virginia in 1972. We are sanctioned by USA Boxing. We are independently operated and community funded. No corporate backing, no political agenda. Just over 50 years of showing up for Roanoke's youth.

Fifty Years In The Valley

Since 1972, Melrose Athletic Club has been a cornerstone of this community - training young athletes, mentoring young people, and giving Roanoke youth something worth showing up for. Over fifty years later, the doors are still open, the coaches are still here, and the mission has never wavered. This is what that looks like.

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Text reading '97/22 est.' in red and gold colors with scattered red numbers around it.

A Legacy That Started With One Fight.

In 1972 Earnest "Champ" Cabbler opened the doors of Champ's Gym in Roanoke, Virginia with one belief, that every young person deserves a fighting chance. Over fifty years later those doors are still open. We have produced state and regional champions, mentored thousands of youth, earned a proclamation from the City of Roanoke, and never once stopped showing up for this community. That is not a track record. That is a legacy.

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OUR FULL STORY
OUR FULL STORY

Get in Touch

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Fifty Years In. Still Fighting For Roanoke's Youth.

Your donation keeps our doors open and our athletes on the floor.

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