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.

Champ's Gym youth boxing program graphic, Melrose Athletic Club, Roanoke, Virginia
About Champ's Gym

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

M.A.C youth football program helmet graphic, Melrose Athletic Club, Roanoke, Virginia
About M.A.C Football

The Programs That Change Lives

Youth boxing, mentorship, and gun violence
prevention in Roanoke, ages 8 and up.

Youth athletes training in the youth boxing program at Champ's Gym in Roanoke, Virginia

Boxing and Athletic Training

Champ's Gym builds the full athlete: agility, strength, footwork, and mental toughness. Rooted in USA Boxing sanctioned amateur boxing, our youth boxing classes in Roanoke develop skills that carry into every sport and every area of life. Training runs Monday through Friday, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, for youth ages 8 and up. No experience necessary.

Join Champ's Gym
Coaches and youth in the 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 youth mentorship program pairs Roanoke kids and teens with experienced guides who show up consistently and invest in their future. The discipline, respect, and accountability built on the gym floor carry into school and home.

Be In Their Corner
Youth and community members at the Melrose Athletic Club gun violence prevention program in Roanoke, Virginia

Gun Violence Prevention

For over 50 years, Melrose Athletic Club has given Roanoke youth a safe, drug-free place to be. Our gun violence prevention work in Roanoke combines structured programming, community outreach, and the discipline of sport to give young people a positive path forward and a reason to stay on it. Every kid on our floor is a kid with somewhere to be.

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.

1,000+
Youth Participants
50+
Years of Service
4
Youth Programs

What Our Community Says

Real Google reviews from Roanoke families and athletes who train at Champ's Gym.

Judith Bowman

Google review

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

Traci Macklin

Google review

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

Andrew Milks

Google review

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

Robert Bolling

Google review

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

What's Happening At M.A.C

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

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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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: every young person deserves a fighting chance. Over fifty years later, those doors are still open. We have produced state and regional champions, mentored more than 1,000 young people, 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.

Donate To M.A.C Our Full Story
Text reading '97/22 est.' in red and gold colors with scattered red numbers around it.

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