Organized around some of the best aspects of Eric Monday’s legacy, the foundation seeks to recognize and promote:

• the application of perseverance and intensity to achieve excellence;
• empathy and selfless dedication in the support of teammates;
• the will to overcome personal setbacks and increased awareness of the stigma of mental health challenges;
• wrestling as a vehicle for personal success and the recruitment of a broad spectrum of people to the sport; and
• wrestling as a unique quest for developing mental and physical strength.

In addition to an athletic toughness and drive for success, Eric Monday spent a great deal of his time and energy helping to mentor other wrestlers, both teaching technique and working to keep them motivated in the sport. Eric also lifted up others around him by recognizing their unique needs – even when helping was not easy. He was the one who acknowledged others for working hard, applauded their progress and picked them up when necessary after defeat. He was also the one who pushed others to join him in fostering individual personal development.

Wrestling is the ultimate sport for building personal character because it depends – and demands – long term goal setting and development, technique refinement and mental toughness. Eric wanted to share the sport’s ability to build character with others – to perpetuate its legacy – because it greatly helped him to develop personally and athletically.