Getting off to a good start in life isn't easy if children don't have proper roles models to emulate. And that's why the person that runs the Southside Boxing Gym means so much to the Capital City.

His name is John Kuebler. The young men and women that workout at the Southside Gym just call him 'Koob.' Frankly, he's one of the most important men in Lincoln. Because Koob cares about kids.

When Koob speaks, kids listen. He knows the sweet science well. He's been involved in boxing for nearly 50 years. And this Lincoln native loves nothing more than watching one of his young fighters succeed, "It's a real thrill. I just love it."

Koob has been training boxers off and on since the 1970's. But he's been doing it full time at the Southside Gym since 2003, "To me, sports is a lot like life, you have setbacks and how you come back from adversity. A lot of self-discipline. If you work hard you get somewhere, if you work hard in life you get somewhere."

And Ricky Lacefield is on his way, "I like the intensity. It helped me get off the streets just all around made me a better person."

Koob started from scratch with Ricky. And now 8 years later, he's a professional boxer, "He was a positive role model I never had. My dad wasn't around when I was growing up. He was like a father figure to me. I look up to him."

John says, "I've always said the win and loss record isn't what counts. It's listening, persevering, fighting hard and making progress. If you fight hard and you lose, that's the way it goes."

Koob says anyone and everyone that is interesting in learning the sweet science is welcome to join the Southside Boxing Gym.

The gym is located at 1425 South Street in Lincoln and the phone number is (402) 440-1080.