Little Rock Wrestling Finds Purpose Beyond the Mat with ASDB Youth

Little Rock Wrestling isn’t just preparing for competition — it’s also helping young athletes at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind find their footing on the mat.

The team volunteers twice a week with the school’s elementary wrestling program, an effort led by senior Cael Keck that has grown into a full-team commitment focused on mentorship, inclusion, and community impact.

Keck was inspired to get involved after head coach Neil Erisman mentioned the school’s practices were held just 10 minutes from campus. At the time, Keck was injured and looking for a way to stay involved while he was off the mat.

He organized the team by creating a schedule that ensured four Little Rock wrestlers attended each practice. Every team member participated at least once, he said.

“It was a full team effort,” Keck said.

“I also plan on coaching youth wrestling after college, so I figured I could get some experience,” he added.

Keck, a senior business management major from Kansas City, Missouri, said the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind’s elementary practices are structured similarly to most wrestling sessions. Athletes begin with jogging and warm-up exercises before moving into drills focused on specific techniques and positions.

“What stood out to me the most was how eager the kids were to learn,” Keck said. “They were very grateful that we helped them out.”

One interaction that stayed with him involved a deaf student using the “6-7” trend in sign language.

“It stood out because at the end of the day, they are just kids being kids,” Keck said. “They have the same humor, trends, and personalities as anyone else.”

Keck said the experience taught him patience and challenged him to think about communication and teaching in different ways.

“This helped me get a better understanding of the sport,” he said. “It also brought me and my teammates closer together because we were doing something different and stepping out of our comfort zone.”

He said the experience carried meaning beyond wrestling.

“It shows that our program isn’t just about wrestling,” Keck said. “Helping out the community is something Coach Erisman has always talked about, and he leads by example.”

When asked how the nationally ranked team balances volunteering, academics, and competition, Keck pointed to discipline and time management.

“A lot of us live together, so we are on the same schedule and hold each other accountable. Personally, finding a routine that works for my class, practice, and lift schedule is very important to stay on track,” Keck said.

His message to other student-athletes is simple:

“I’d say just do it,” Keck said. “It might be out of the average person’s comfort zone, but it’s fulfilling to know that you’re making a difference and having an impact in someone’s life.”

Coach Erisman said the experience was just as meaningful for the program.

“What an incredible honor and experience to be able to help out with the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind,” he said. “It was humbling and fulfilling all in one. We didn’t just enjoy serving — we enjoyed getting to know the athletes and watching their progress over a short period of time. It was a great experience.”