About GYAC
Focused on building for the future: a positive alternative to drugs, gangs, and violence
GYAC, run by our board and coaches, provides a healthy environment for boys and girls ages eight to eighteen to learn the fundamentals of Olympic Style Boxing and to participate in Junior Olympic Boxing. The GYAC has an open, inclusive atmosphere where bonds are quickly formed between coaches, parents, youth, and older athletes.
GYAC also partners with Knox County Teen Court and the Knox County Probation office to work with youth needing mentoring and second chances.
GYAC was started in 1946 by founder Carlos Duncan’s father, Howard “Andy” Duncan and brother, Sonny Duncan – who went on to serve with the Galesburg Police Department for 23 years.
Carlos Duncan stepped in after retiring from the Air Force in the early 1990s. All GYAC volunteer coaches have USA Boxing, Inc. Certifications.
“Carlos didn’t write me off. I was 12 and plenty of folks did. But I got to come to a place where people saw me and accepted me. Carlos didn’t give me advice. He didn’t have speeches. Carlos and I talked about consequences and he showed me how to look at my choices.”
Former Participant & Current Coach
Kelvin Medley
Remembering Carlos Duncan
Adults called him by his first name. The kids knew him as Mr. D
Boxing his entire life, GYAC was founded by his father, and later managed by his brother before Carlos Duncan took over in the early 1990s. Mr. Duncan served in the U.S. Air Force and was a chairman for the U.S. Illinois Boxing Association Coaches Committee. He was a Certified Level IV, elite coach, clinician, and official with the U.S. Amateur Boxing Inc.
Carlos served on the boards for Knox County United Way, Knox County Teen Court, Knox County YMCA, Knox County Healthy Youth Alliance, and the Galesburg Youth Commission. He worked for Galesburg School District 205 from 1993 to 2002 as part of the Knox County Even Start Program and additionally, spent 12 years working for the Literacy Coalition at Carl Sandburg College.
Carlos passed away on July 2, 2022 at the age of 80 and will always be remembered for his contributions to GYAC and the city of Galesburg.