When opportunity meets preparation, winning teams are built. Charter Oak Boxing Academy is proud to partner with the Hartford Yard Goats to launch a powerful vocational enrichment and workforce readiness program for COBA students.

During the baseball off season, the Hartford Yard Goats have opened their doors to provide COBA youth with a behind the scenes look at what it takes to run a professional sports organization. This special 10 week program gives students direct access to the business, creative, and operational sides of professional baseball.

Mark your calendars. On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM, Charter Oak Boxing Academy will host one of the most meaningful events of the year: the Class of 2026 Graduation, Celebration, and Recognition Day.

Held at COBA’s home base at 81 Pope Park Highway in Hartford, this evening will be filled with pride, reflection, and celebration of a remarkable year of achievement.

Wheels up, dreams on deck.

Charter Oak Boxing Academy, in partnership with Elite Tertiary Education Consulting, is proud to announce a Save the Date for the COBA and ETEC April 2026 HBCU College Tour, taking place April 13 through April 17, 2026. This immersive, multi day experience is designed to expose students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities while blending academic exploration, cultural enrichment, and real world learning.

Throughout the week, COBA students will travel through Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia to tour a powerful lineup of HBCU campuses, connect with admissions environments, and experience college life firsthand. The tour will include guided and self guided visits to Coppin State University, Morgan State University, University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, Virginia Union University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, and Norfolk State University.

Charter Oak Boxing Academy and Elite Tertiary Education Consulting are proud to announce an upcoming Save the Date for April 2026, as they once again partner with award winning creative leader Joe Young of Joe Young Studios and Productions to launch the third installment of the CAN DO series, designed exclusively for COBA students.

Following the success of the 2025 Winter and Fall cohorts, this new season will continue to build on a proven model that blends creativity, discipline, and career exploration. The April 2026 series will focus on modern best practices in animation, movie production, and media exploration, offering students hands on exposure to creative industries and real world storytelling techniques.

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA), in partnership with Elite Tertiary Education Consulting (ETEC), will host An Evening to Learn About the Trades at the COBA Center. This educational event is designed to introduce youth, families, and community members to career pathways within the skilled trades and the growing opportunities available across Connecticut.

The evening will feature a special presentation by Maritza Falcon of the American Job Center Connecticut, with information provided through the State Building Trades Training Institute. Attendees will learn about trade careers, training programs, certification pathways, and how to access workforce development resources that lead to stable, well paying careers.

Mark your calendars! Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA) and ETEC announced today that they will attend the Pathways to Excellence College Fair and Networking Event on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. Youth athletes will participate in the event as part of an ongoing commitment to academic exposure, leadership development, and long term success beyond sports.

Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA), in partnership with Elite Tertiary Education Consulting (ETEC), is proud to host a special career exploration event focused on careers in firefighting and emergency medical services. Taking place in March 2026, this event will give students a firsthand opportunity to learn directly from professionals serving on the front lines of public safety.

Firefighters and EMTs from the Manchester Fire Department, Hartford Fire Department, and New Britain Fire Department will join COBA students to share their experiences, career journeys, and insights into what it takes to serve the community in these critical roles.

Date and time details will be announced soon.

Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA), in partnership with Elite Tertiary Education Consulting (ETEC), is proud to announce the launch of the Capital Workforce Program 2026, a collaborative initiative designed to connect youth and community members with meaningful career pathways and workforce opportunities.

The program kickoff will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as COBA collaborates with North Central Connecticut Workforce Development Partners to introduce participants to career focused training, mentorship, and paid work experiences.

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy proudly partnered once again with the Connecticut Institute for Community Development Puerto Rican Parade Committee for a meaningful day of service and community giving at the COBA facility.

From 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, COBA boxers, parents, siblings, and volunteers came together to support the annual turkey giveaway, reinforcing the academy’s commitment to service, unity, and giving back. Families across the community were welcomed as volunteers helped distribute turkeys, provide refreshments, and create a warm and supportive environment for all in attendance.

From November 4 through November 6, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy students participating in Joe Young Studios and Productions’ animation program traveled to New York City as part of the production team for a powerful live action and animated public service announcement on immigration titled Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys.

As part of the creative and production staff, COBA students worked alongside award winning filmmaker Joe Young to help bring Kemet, the Time Traveling cartoon character, to life through a blend of animation, live action film, and historical storytelling. The PSA was filmed at iconic American landmarks including Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Harlem’s Apollo Theater, and Little Italy, allowing students to experience firsthand how history, culture, and storytelling intersect.

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA participated in the Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education Youth Summit hosted at Eastern Connecticut State University. The annual conference brought together high school and college students, educators, and community organizations from across Connecticut to promote access to higher education and student success.

The summit featured workshops and discussions focused on critical topics including financial aid, networking, mental health, self care, and guidance for parents navigating the college process. COBA’s presence at the event reflected its commitment to exposing students to academic opportunities and resources that support life beyond athletics.

Charter Oak Boxing Academy is proud to partner with Joe Young and Joe Young Studios and Productions to launch the CAN DO IT – COBA Vocational Program, an immersive creative workforce experience designed for high school students interested in media, animation, and storytelling.

The program kicks off on Tuesday, October 14, and will run every Tuesday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM through November 18. Sessions will take place at Joe Young’s Studios and Production site, located at 349 Main Street in East Hartford, with transportation provided by COBA.

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy attended the 2025 Toyota HBCU New York Classic at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Coordinated by ETECT, the event brought together students, families, alumni, and community members for a powerful celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Black excellence, and tradition.

The nationally recognized matchup featured Howard University facing Morehouse College in a historic rivalry that dates back to 1923. With kickoff at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, Howard University secured a 41 to 14 victory over Morehouse in a game that energized the crowd and added another chapter to this long standing competition.

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy, in collaboration with Elite Tertiary Education Consulting, brought COBA students to Trinity College for an educational visit focused on college exposure, community engagement, and digital access. The visit introduced students to Trinity’s campus and the impactful work of Trinfo, a longstanding neighborhood resource located in Hartford.

During the visit, students toured the Trinity College campus and learned about Trinfo’s mission as a community centered space that connects Hartford residents with Trinity students, faculty, and resources. COBA students explored the Trinfo facility at 1300 Broad Street, gaining insight into how the program provides access to technology, document services, tech support, and community programming designed to bridge gaps in access and opportunity.

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, at 5:30 PM, COBA is hosting one of our most heartfelt events of the year: the End of Year Graduation, Celebration, and Recognition Day. Held at our home base—81 Pope Park Highway in Hartford—this evening promises pride, joy, and reflection on an incredible year of growth.

In April 2025, a group of motivated young athletes from COBA embarked on a journey that would forever change their perspective. The HBCU College Tour was not just about visiting schools; it was about envisioning possibilities. The tour was planned and executed by Elite Tertiary Consulting LLC and is COBA’s first HBCU Tour.

Hartford, CT – On Saturday, March 29, 2025, students from Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA) proudly worked their first day as ushers at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The event marked a significant milestone following their successful completion of the COBA-Yard Goats Vocational Program — a collaborative initiative providing job-readiness training and employment opportunities for local youth.

Wheels up, dreams on deck. This April, the COBA Bus is hitting the highway for a powerful week of inspiration, discovery, and empowerment. From April 14th to April 18th, 2025, students from Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA), with support from Elite Tertiary Education Consulting (ETEC), will embark on the COBA HBCU College Tour — a life-changing journey through some of the most impactful institutions in the country.

On Thursday, January 30, Charter Oak Boxing Academy welcomed award winning artist and filmmaker Joe Young for an inspiring and creative experience that showed students what is possible when talent, discipline, and purpose come together.

Joe Young, president of Joe Young Entertainment and creator of the CAN DO IT program, shared his personal journey as a Black cartoonist, filmmaker, director, producer, and teaching artist. Students learned how his passion for storytelling evolved into a multifaceted career that spans comics, film, education, and community engagement.