At Island Fitness in Glen Cove there is a new sound that resonates from the back room. Gloves beat against pads and coaches yell out commands. Some gym members look into the room, watching as youth train in the ring, or with the three punching bags and the one speed bag. In the back a sign reads "The Glen Cove Boxing Academy," and the three founders and coaches stand waiting to welcome any young newcomer with interest.

On the surface, the club appears to be like any other amateur boxing group. The coaches are all registered and certified, and the new equipment is top quality. The difference? This program is 100 percent free, a not-for-profit organization created by Gaetano Grella, Frank Pena and John Holden. According to Mr. Pena, the vice president, the club is open to all interested youth, with no residency requirement. "We don't care where the kids come from," he said. They just want them to come.

The program operates as part of the Nassau County District Attorney's Rising Star initiative. Started by District Attorney Denis Dillon to help prevent crime through youth partnerships, the program's goal is "to fortify [youth] with natural virtues - justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude - that will help them resist the negative influences of crime, drugs and gang activity."

The coaches at the academy embrace these four virtues - a large sign in the room lists each one - and incorporate them into the training. "Not only do we teach the kids principle, but we work in a principled way," said Holden, the club treasurer.

The three club founders have a history of working together in and around the ring. All have worked with the Glen Cove Police Boxing Club, which Pena originally founded. They left to embark on a dream and spent a year working to create their not-for-profit organization. On June 18 they began their first full week in the space at Island Fitness, after spending a year housed at the Westbury PAL Boxing Club. About 20 youth currently come to the club on different days. The academy is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 8 in the evening.

The founders used their own money to help open the program, and currently are $6,500 in debt, although one would not know this without asking. All three men strongly believe the money will come. About 13,000 sealed envelopes are on Holden's desk, ready to be mailed. The organizers are seeking partnerships with local youth groups and they are soliciting funding from any and all corporations or businesses, as well as government grants.

Promising that "We are going to be very active in this community," Holden, Grella and Pena are also dialoguing with local judges to have troubled adolescents sent to the academy. "If you let them hit the bag, many come around." said Pena. While they will train anyone, no one is allowed to have a bout in the ring unless they are experienced and registered.

All three founders look forward to an increase in enrollment; they love to train boxers and watch the growth, both physical and mental, in their students. "We become a family," said Grella, who is president of the academy. Both of Grella's grandfathers boxed, but his parents did not allow him to take part in the sport as a child. Around six years ago, at age 18, he began training at the Glen Cove Police Boxing Club. Holden worked as a coach with Pena and when Grella joined, the friendship grew. "We have an extraordinary synergy," said Holden. "These are people I genuinely care about."

For concerned parents, the founders stress that amateur boxing is different from professional boxing. The goal is to score points, not knock out your opponent. Gloves are made to absorb a blow and fighters wear protective helmets.

In all their years at the boxing club, and now at the academy, the founders have seen no injuries. "We're a bunch of coaches who know what we're doing," said Pena. According to the USA Boxing Association, less than one percent of amateur bouts end in a knockout compared to over 25 percent of professional fights. All three coaches agree that it's "better to stop 1,000 fights too early than one too late."

The coaches are proud of their students and are quick to talk about them. Edmin Vasquez, one learns, has already won an Empire State Games silver medal. Grella hopes to send 10 students to the Golden Gloves, the premier amateur boxing tournament, where he will compete as well.

Grella's brother Danny, who owns Island Fitness, donated the training room. "If it wasn't for him we wouldn't be here," said a grateful Grella.

And if it weren't for Grella, Pena and Holden, some lucky young boxers wouldn't be in the Glen Cove Boxing Academy.