BRODHEAD - The Risum family has lived for wrestling for decades. Now, they are turning to wrestling to get their message of suicide awareness to the community.
Ron Risum started the Brodhead youth wrestling club in the 1980s, and later his sons Chad and Scott Risum took over as youth wrestling coaches in Brodhead. Scott Risum was a former wrestler, youth and middle school wrestling coach at Brodhead and an assistant coach at Parkview. He committed suicide in 2010.
Since then, Scott's brother, Chad, has started the Risum Border Battle as a fundraiser and suicide awareness event every time Brodhead-Juda and Parkview wrestle in a dual meet.
The second annual Risum Border Battle will be at 7 tonight in Brodhead as the Cardinals host the Vikings.
"I want to raise awareness for what the signs of suicide are and what avenues you can go to for help," Chad Risum said. "If we can save someone from the aftermath of suicide, it's worth it. Wrestling gave our family a lot. I am looking at wrestling to help raise awareness in the community."
Before the match, there will be a raffle with about 40 baskets from local businesses and yellow ribbon lapels with a heart-shaped brad on a safety pin handed out representing suicide survivor awareness.
Chad Risum said the proceeds raised will go towards suicide awareness efforts.
"Suicide and mental illness is a complex issue that is frequently ignored except by those who are devastated by it and even the survivors have a difficult time discussing it because of the societal stigma," he said.
Brodhead-Juda (4-0 Rock Valley South) has already clinched the regular season conference title. Brodhead-Juda coach Tim Colden expects a big crowd.
"Usually, your biggest rival is the team that is the closest to you," Colden said. "It seems like it (suicide) is something that every year that more people are taking as an option. If you can raise enough awareness from keeping one person from doing it than I think it is well worth it."
Ron Risum started the Brodhead youth wrestling club in the 1980s, and later his sons Chad and Scott Risum took over as youth wrestling coaches in Brodhead. Scott Risum was a former wrestler, youth and middle school wrestling coach at Brodhead and an assistant coach at Parkview. He committed suicide in 2010.
Since then, Scott's brother, Chad, has started the Risum Border Battle as a fundraiser and suicide awareness event every time Brodhead-Juda and Parkview wrestle in a dual meet.
The second annual Risum Border Battle will be at 7 tonight in Brodhead as the Cardinals host the Vikings.
"I want to raise awareness for what the signs of suicide are and what avenues you can go to for help," Chad Risum said. "If we can save someone from the aftermath of suicide, it's worth it. Wrestling gave our family a lot. I am looking at wrestling to help raise awareness in the community."
Before the match, there will be a raffle with about 40 baskets from local businesses and yellow ribbon lapels with a heart-shaped brad on a safety pin handed out representing suicide survivor awareness.
Chad Risum said the proceeds raised will go towards suicide awareness efforts.
"Suicide and mental illness is a complex issue that is frequently ignored except by those who are devastated by it and even the survivors have a difficult time discussing it because of the societal stigma," he said.
Brodhead-Juda (4-0 Rock Valley South) has already clinched the regular season conference title. Brodhead-Juda coach Tim Colden expects a big crowd.
"Usually, your biggest rival is the team that is the closest to you," Colden said. "It seems like it (suicide) is something that every year that more people are taking as an option. If you can raise enough awareness from keeping one person from doing it than I think it is well worth it."
