In a small room, with walls painted yellow and full of letters, a school bus and dingy brown carpet, there lies a gym.

Before you can see this room, you must enter the side door at Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church on 24th and Ogden Streets, go down the stairs and a narrow hallway.

The space, while functional, is what the Omaha Golden Gloves Academy and Mentoring Center wants to leave.

“The goal is to use sports, [specifically boxing], to push what we know makes a whole citizen and person,” said Harley Cooper, head coach at the OGGA.

Cooper, known as Coach Coop, has run the Academy since it opened in January 2007.

The program was started to “provide a mentoring and fitness program for ‘at risk’ youth and young adults in the North Omaha community,” Cooper said.

Cooper, 74, is a former Golden Gloves champion, boxing while in the Air Force. He believes that boxing teaches life skills.

“There’s no easy way to be successful in boxing,” Cooper said. “Discipline is key.”

While the program is meant for North Omaha youth, three Creighton students, Business junior TJ Barrett, junior Celeste Lorenzo and Business sophomore Lily Kaftan,

also participate.

Barrett, a marketing major, got involved with the OGGA after finding an internship opportunity on Jobs4Jays.

“After meeting Coach Coop and seeing his passion for boxing, I decided I wanted to learn how to fight,” Barrett said.

Through the internship, Barrett is helping Cooper plan the Midwest Regional Golden Gloves Championship, which takes place today and tomorrow at the Tip Top Ballroom.

Currently, the program serves six students on a consistent basis. Cooper, who volunteers to coach, knows that number can grow with a bigger and better facility and more equipment.

“We are doing O.K. in the space we have, and we are grateful for it,” Cooper said. “But we can do so much more.”

The Academy is trying to apply for a grant to get some more money and boost a budget that currently sits at less than $1,000.

The importance of the program is something that North Omaha needs, Cooper said.

“And we brought the program to them, but we need resources to make it work.”

The dream, Cooper said, is to be able to have kids fight in a boxing ring. He said initially attendance was high, but attention wore off due to the lack of a ring and insufficient equipment.

Cooper said there are two phases for the OGGA. One, of course, is a new gym. Phase two is to open a mentoring and study center, working in conjunction with the gym.

“I believe that a good, strong body gives you a good, strong mind,” Cooper said. “Boxing can teach you to focus and be successful in the classroom and life.”

It’s Cooper’s passion that helps make students like Barrett thankful for his teaching and eager to make his dreams a reality.

“I think it’s the coolest thing in the world that Coach Coop is 74 and still has a passion for boxing,” Barrett said.

“His program can do great things, given the right resources.”