Take Down Crime is a wrestling program with a mission.  We want to be a positive force in the lives of our young people, a safe place for them to learn about working hard, never giving up, that they have value and worth, that they can do things they didn't think they could, the value of courage, and of course to have fun.  In her article about our program, Gretchen Becker, a reporter for the Indianapolis Star, calls it "Learning to grapple with life".  To read the article, click here. 

Coach Tanniehill talks to kids about wrestling and life skills.

Every opportunity to use examples as a life lesson is utilized.

Some of our participants.

Team and their parents pose with the Mayor Greg Ballard.

What We Do

We use wrestling as a vehicle to teach life lessons to youth in 4th through 8th grades throughout Marion County, Indianapolis, IN.  Studies throughout the State of Indiana specifically show that there is a rapid decline in ISTEP testing scores beyond this age group.  Our goal is to catch students before they fall and build them up through this tough time in an effort to boost those scores as well as foster a strong self-esteem and work ethic. 

We are a great combination of mentoring, youth & adult education, and youth engagement.  We are positive this program will make a big difference in the lives of these young people and contribute to a sense of community and self-respect.

We are targeting students who:

• live in high risk areas
• have family members who have had contact with the criminal justice system
• have behavioral problems, or
• who need something constructive to help build their self-esteem.

 Our program operates on grant funding and donations. We are recipients of the Marion County Crime Prevention Grant.  We believe it is easier to teach children crime prevention than to steer adults away from criminal activities.  Take Down Crime promotes positive life skills and focuses on inner strength and courage to do whatever it takes to succeed.   

Call Us Today!

Take Down Crime operates on grant funds and donations.  These funds make it possible for us to provide wrestling shoes, headgear, mouthpieces, singlets, wrestling mats, and any other equipment that may be needed to participate in the sport.  Since we focus on much more than wrestling and winning matches, we are a year-round program.  We do things with our wrestlers such as community service projects, taking them to the library and teaching them the importance of what is available at their fingertips there, field trips, character building, and team building exercises.  All of these lessons cost money.  If you would like to help out with a donation, please contact us here.

 If you would like to find out more about the program and see if your child qualifies to participate, please feel free to contact us here.  

**Take Down Crime and Tanniehill Wrestling Academy reserves the right to refuse service.