AMA Fight Club's Home to MMA Pros (and Kids Too)

Whippany business has fighters from 6 years old to professionals fighting around the world.

In an unassuming storefront in the back of the Pine Shopping Plaza, Route 10, Whippany, the AMA Fight Club trains world-class mixed martial arts and UFC fighters. But they also work with students from as young as 3 to entire families developing their bodies and their minds. Owner Mike Constantino has trained in martial arts his entire life and started training others when he was just 19 years old.  “I started working as a tactical training instructor working with military, martial artists and law enforcement personnel,“ he said. While Constantino was traveling around the country as a trainer, he had a sense that he had something special to offer and decided to open his own school. AMA Fight Club provides training in a number of martial …

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Pernetti: I Only 'Want What's Best for Rutgers' [VIDEO]

Hours after his resignation as Rutgers athletic director, Oakland resident Tim Pernetti called Friday a "sad day for a lot of people."

Tim Pernetti resigned as Rutgers athletic director Friday.  “It’s a really sad day for a lot of people, including me and my family,” Pernetti said outside his Oakland home Friday. “I always have and I always will — no matter what — want what’s best for Rutgers.” In a letter to Rutgers University President Robert Barchi, Pernetti blamed the university for overriding his decision to immediately fire Mike Rice.   The news of Pernetti’s resignation comes just days after video surfaced showing former mens basketball coach Mike Rice aggressively harassing basketball players at the Division I program.  Pernetti, 42, was born in Teaneck, raised in Wyckoff and currently is an Oakland resident. He is a graduate of Ramapo High School. More from Patch:

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Joe Biggerstaff

9:26 am on Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hey Charlie- I am wondering if you have kids and if they have played D1 Collegiate sports? To say pushing kids around ( that are defenseless due to the fear of losing their scholarship ) whipping basketballs at their head and verbally abusing them is going to toughen them up for life is sound coaching--my friend you are an idiot! If a coach laid a hand on my son like Rice did I would personally …   more ›

Tape Of Rutgers Coach Abusing Players Draws Christie Condemnation

A video of Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice has surfaced in which Rice yells abusive and profane language, and shoves and kicks players.

Gov. Chris Christie was "deeply disturbed" after viewing a video of Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice using abusive language, shoving and kicking Rutgers University basketball players during practices. According to a report on NJ.com, the 40-minute video was the basis for Rice's three-game suspension and $50,000 fine in December. The tape has drawn widespread condemnation for Rice's use of gay slurs directed at his players. Rutgers showed the tape to reporters on Tuesday after learning that ESPN plans to air footage of the tapes this week. The video covers practices that occurred between 2010 and 2012, according to a report on ESPN.com. "Governor Christie saw the video today for the first time and he is obviously deeply disturbed by the …

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Mark

10:39 am on Monday, April 8, 2013

Yes but Tiger Woods is back on top and has had endorsements return. He doesn't care who likes him as long as he is paid. He will lose but not as much as people think.   more ›

Four North Jerseyans Break Camp with Big League Teams [Interactive Map]

The interactive map has information on all 29 baseball players from North Jersey who are playing professional baseball in 2013.

"It's like Christmas, except it's warmer." - Pete Rose on baseball's Opening Day It's that time of year again. The day when hope springs eternal for baseball fans across the country and anything seems possible. As Opening Day gets under way Monday, four players with North Jersey ties will suit up and don uniforms for major league teams. Another 20 will start their professional seasons in the minors, with the dream of some day making it to — or, in some cases, back to — The Show. All four North Jerseyans breaking camp with major league teams in 2013 are pitchers. Detroit Tigers starter Rick Porcello, a former first-round pick who made his major league debut at the ripe age of 20, is the best known of the bunch. The 24-year-old Morristown …

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3 Colleges Reportedly Eyeing Local Hoops Star

Lake Hopatcong's Jaren Sina's recent release from Northwestern commitment has created a stir of recruitment.

March has truly become madness for Lake Hopatcong’s Jaren Sina. The four-star recruit who spent his high school career at Gill St. Bernard’s was planning on wearing purple in college after committing to Northwestern University late in 2012. But when Northwestern fired its coach earlier this month, Sina, the school’s top recruit, asked to be released from his commitment. He hasn’t said he’ll be leaving the program for a different one, but his father told Patch recently his son was only “50-50” on keeping his plans. With Sina now on the free market, rumors of Indiana, Alabama, and New Jersey’s Seton Hall University recruiting the point guard have emerged, according to sippinonpurple.com, a website for Northwestern University sports. That …

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Northwestern Basketball Recruit '50-50' After Coach's Firing

Lake Hopatcong's Jaren Sina unsure about keeping commitment to university that recruited him after coach was dismissed.

When Jaren Sina completed his basketball career at Gill St. Bernard’s his future must have seemed like a clear path, but now it may be as complicated as a drive to the basket in heavy traffic. The Lake Hopatcong resident was planning on attending Northwestern University, which tendered him a scholarship last fall. On Saturday, the Wildcats fired head coach Bill Carmody after a 13-year stint. The act brings Sina’s future in doubt and understandably he is a little upset about the situation. “Sure he is,’’ Jaren’s father and Gill St. Bernards basketball coach Mergin Sina said. “The coach that recruited him is leaving. We’re just going to have to figure it out.’’ Northwestern Athletic Director James J. Phillips flew out to visit the Sinas on …

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Local Pitcher Eyes Second Chance in The Show

Hackettstown's Cole Kimball, recovering from shoulder surgery, pitching well for Washington Nationals this spring.

Track Star Jumps to National Championship Podium

Connor Cooper came in third in his age group's category.

Connor Cooper didn’t shy away from the national stage in his first attempt at track glory, and was rewarded greatly for it. The Durbin Avenue School student, who qualified to compete in the USATF Indoor National Championship March 9 in Landover, Maryland, came in third in his age group’s long jump competition. Cooper, part of the Morris County Track Club, “really enjoyed the experience of competing on a national stage,” his dad, Greg Cooper said in an email to Patch. With a final jump of 3.64 meters, Cooper took third place, with teammate RJ Workman grabbing second in a jump of 3.74 meters in the 9 to 10-year-old boys category. Other notable Morris County standouts include Elorm Akasreku, who broke the long jump meet record for 13 to 14-…

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Coach Workman

8:45 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013

Connor is an outstanding athlete and teammate. The entire staff of the Morris County Track Club is proud of Connors achievements and look forward to his outdoor season.   more ›