Our Staff
Coach Darby McLaughlin is a 1992 graduate of Springfield Central High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Westfield State College, and a master’s degree in Education from American International College.
His wrestling achievements include winning state titles in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. In 1992, as captain of the Massachusetts Junior National Team he was a USA Wrestling, Greco-Roman All American. He went on to wrestle Division 1 for Central Connecticut State University.
Coach McLaughlin is one of the premier high school coaches in New England. He is a physical education teacher at Springfield Central High School and is in his 22nd year as the head wrestling coach. His teams have won a combined 13 State Titles. He has also coached numerous individual State, All State and New England Champions, as well as four All Americans and a NHSCA National Champion.
Coaching Accolades
- National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWSCA) Coach of the Year, 2006 & 2017.
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach of the Year, 2013
- Massachusetts Div. 1 Coach of the Year 2011, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20.
- Div. 1 State Champions 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020.
- Massachusetts All State Champions 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020.
- 2X MA Dual Meet State Champions.
- 14X Div. 1 Western Mass Champions.
- 2019 MIAA Team Sportsmanship Award- Presented by the MA Referees Association
- Inducted into the Springfield Public High Schools Sports Hall of Fame as both an athlete and a coach.
Coach David Alvarado is a 1990 graduate of Roger L. Putnam Vocational High School, now known as Putnam Vocational Academy.
In the past 22 years as the head coach of Putnam Vocational Academy, he has coached numerous New England qualifiers, All State, State and Sectional Champions. In 2018 his team won the Western Massachusetts Division 1 Title and he was named 2018 Coach of the year.
Dave’s passion for wrestling began in high school and has carried on through his adult life. He understands that connection and positive role models with inner city youths will enable them to set the foundation for a fulfilling future. Coming from the inner city himself, Coach Alvarado understands the value of good role models and mentors.
Coach Alvarado is a 29 year veteran with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department (HCSD). He currently holds the rank of Primary Captain in the Special Operations Division. His coaching and instructing has carried on in his professional career as well. David has mentored numerous new officers as they began their career with the department knowing the importance of having competent well balanced staff. Coach Alvarado realizes the importance of mentorship and was a member of the mentorship development committee. He is highly regarded as a sincere, trusted and capable mentor.
Throughout his career with the HCSD, he has held various instructorships to include: Defensive Tactics Instructor Trainer, Firearms Instructor Trainer, and Use of Force Instructor. Coach Alvarado has instructed hundreds of new correctional staff as well as veteran officers in the above mentioned disciplines.
Jason Franklin is a 1993 graduate from Westfield State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in social work and was previously employed for 16 years at the Department of Children and Families in Springfield, MA.
He has been in martial arts for over 30 years and has competed in kickboxing through the 90’s and early 2000’s. He has experience in traditional martial arts such as kenpo, as well as, boxing, kickboxing, and BJJ.
He has owned several martial arts schools in Western Massachusetts, as well as coached at different schools through the years.
He has coached and mentored many amateur and pro MMA fighters since 2004.
Mr. Rosa is a Springfield Central High School Assistant Wrestling Coach, Assistant Football Coach, and Physical Education Teacher. While earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education at Bridgewater State University, he interned as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Athletic Evolution and worked as a Youth Development Professional/Mentor for F.A.M for Change and the Bridge Partnership Program. Mr. Rosa is a graduate of the High School of Science and Technology where he played football and was a captain of the wrestling team that co-opted with Putnam Vocational High School.
Born in USSR (Siberia) in September 1975. Dmitriy grew up in the small town of Sinegorie what translates to blue mountains and is pretty much across from Alaska. I received basic education ( 1-8 grade) and was a member of Greco Roman National youth wrestling team. Multi regional champion in Greco Roman wrestling including Siberia, Ukraine, Belorussia and southeastern Russia before moving to USA in 1990.
After coming to the United States I continue wrestling for Springfield Central high school from which I graduated in 1993. I was very fortunate to have great wrestling coach and teammates, as I knew very little English it was hard for me to communicate, understand everything or make friends. In high school I won Massachusetts State championship in Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling. I took first in New England my senior year. I received a wrestling scholarship to SCSU. I placed 6th in the Nation and received an All-American award in my second year in college. In 1998 I moved to California and graduate from the California School of Medical Sciences ultrasound program.
In 2003 I moved back to the East Coast. Now I settled in Feeding Hills Massachusetts, where I live with my wife, four kids, two dogs and a cat. My oldest son reignited my passion to wrestling when he joined the team. Not competing, but coaching kids gives me a great pleasure, joy, respect and I hope I can make a tiny differences in their life’s teaching them the best sport ever!
Christopher Beaulieu 1999 H.H.S graduate. Twenty Two year veteran of the USAF Security Forces serving in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom. Trainer for civilian Law enforcement Officers as well as numerous military branches in Defensive tactics, Diplomat Personal Security and Military Combative fighting. Use of Force Instructor along with less than lethal weapons. Professional experience and competitor in MMA along with traditional martial arts such as Kickboxing, Boxing, Karate, Catch wrestling and BJJ. Experienced licensed trainer in MMA and Kickboxing working with amateur and professional athletes. Also continuing education in strength and conditioning and modern sports science. Striving to help guide today’s youth and its future leaders. I can truly testify that Grit & Gratitude Wrestling Academy is the foundation of core values I hold dearly for my own family. Gratitude, Resilience, Initiative, Tenacity.