Legacy Boxing and Combat Sports Academy Logo

MMA and Boxing Gym in State College, PA

Where You Go to Build Your Legacy

Train with USA Boxing certified coaches at Legacy Boxing & Combat Sports Academy in Centre County. We offer real boxing and authentic MMA training in a structured, beginner-friendly environment designed for long-term progress.

Programs include boxing, MMA, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Judo for adults and kids. If you want an MMA gym near Penn State or a boxing gym in State College, your first class is free.

Home of the only USA Boxing - Local Boxing Club (LBC) in State College, PA

USA Boxing

The Legacy Experience

Legacy Boxing & Combat Sports Academy is the most complete MMA and boxing gym in State College, offering structured training for beginners, fitness-focused members, and competitive athletes.

Ready to train like a real fighter? At Legacy Boxing and Combat Sports Academy you'll build authentic boxing and mixed martial arts skills, boost your fitness, and develop the discipline that drives lasting results inside and outside the gym. We offer structured boxing classes and authentic mixed martial arts training designed for beginners to advanced fighters alike.

Our Boxing Classes teach the same techniques used by Golden Gloves competitors, All-Americans, and national champions. Sparring is never required and only introduced when you're fully prepared, with safety and readiness as the top priority. You'll build real technique, conditioning, and fight IQ through focused drills like Shoulder Tag, a Cuban boxing drill that safely builds speed, coordination, and sharp defensive awareness in a fun, engaging way. Our program is ideal whether you're training for amateur boxing, preparing for your first fight, or simply looking for a real boxing gym instead of a cardio-focused class.

Many athletes combine boxing classes with MMA training or Private Coaching to accelerate progress and build complete striking skills.

We also offer dedicated Women's Boxing classes in State College designed to create a focused, supportive environment for women of all experience levels. These classes emphasize proper boxing fundamentals, confidence building, and structured progression, with coaching that meets each athlete where she is. Whether you are new to boxing or returning with experience, women's boxing at Legacy delivers high-level instruction in a disciplined, welcoming setting.

Our MMA Classes teach real mixed martial arts as one integrated system. Unlike gyms that separate striking and grappling into isolated programs, our training shows how boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and submission grappling work together under pressure.

Each class includes striking-only and grappling-only drills, clinch work, takedowns, positional control, and live situational training. Whether you are new to MMA or refining your skill set, our structured approach builds timing, control, and fight-ready confidence.

Our Youth Boxing Classes, open to ages 8 to 16, offer a safe and structured boxing class for kids where they build confidence, coordination, and lifelong skills. With monthly memberships and convenient drop-in options, families can stay consistent without needing to commit to seasonal camps. All instruction is led by USA Boxing certified coaches who prioritize safety, motivation, and age-appropriate training.

Memberships start at $80 per month for all adult boxing or MMA, and $60 for children. Private Sessions, facility rentals, and drop-in options are also available. Your first class is free, so you can experience what sets our athletes apart before committing. Whether you're looking to compete or just get in shape, our gym is where your boxing journey begins.

Team photo of Legacy Boxing and Combat Sports Academy

Weekly Schedule

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
9:00 AM
9:15
9:30
9:45
10:00
10:15
10:30
Private and Group sessions with Coach Roth
Available 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
10:45
11:00
11:15
11:30
Flex Class &
Learn-Sparring
11:30 - 1:30
11:45
12:00 PM
12:15
12:30
12:45
1:00
1:15
1:30
1:45
2:00
2:15
2:30
2:45
3:00
3:15
3:30
3:45
4:00
4:15
4:30
4:45
5:00 PM
MMA
5:00 - 6:15
MMA
5:00 - 6:15
5:15
Youth Classes
5:15 - 6:15
Youth Classes
5:15 - 6:15
5:30
5:45
6:00
6:15
Women's Boxing
6:15 - 7:30
Boxing
6:15 - 7:45
Women's Boxing
6:15 - 7:30
Boxing
6:15 - 7:45
6:30
6:45
7:00
7:15
7:30
7:45
Penn State Boxing
7:45 - 9:30
(Private)
Flex Class &
Learn-Sparring
7:45 - 8:45
Penn State Boxing
7:45 - 9:30
(Private)
8:00
8:15
8:30
8:45
9:00
9:15
9:30

Boxing: Tuesday & Thursday 6:15–7:45 PM
Women's Boxing: Monday & Wednesday 6:15–7:30 PM
MMA: Tuesday & Thursday 5:00–6:15 PM
Youth Boxing: Monday & Friday 5:15–6:15 PM
Flex Classes (All Boxing & MMA Members): Wednesday 7:45–8:45 PM, Saturday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Learn-Sparring (All Boxing & MMA Members): Wednesday 7:45–8:45 PM, Saturday 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Private Training (by appointment): Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Penn State Boxing Club (Private): Tuesday & Thursday 7:45–9:30 PM

Schedule subject to change. Please contact us to confirm class times.

Meet Coach Roth

Coach Derek Roth is the Head Coach of the Penn State University Boxing Club Team since 2019, which is currently the top civilian boxing program in the United States. In 2023, he was named National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) Coach of the Year. He brings this same level of commitment and expertise to Legacy Boxing and Combat Sports Academy.

His background includes:

  • 30+ years of martial arts experience
  • 25+ years of boxing experience
  • Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2009
  • Ongoing study of Kosen Judo
  • Competition experience in MMA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai
  • Former Pennsylvania Golden Gloves boxer

Coach Roth also holds certifications in:

  • Submission Grappling Instruction
  • Kickboxing and Muay Thai Instruction
  • Personal Training
  • Nutritional Coaching

Coach Roth designs and leads all Academy programs based on years of coaching national champions. Through classes, private sessions, and continued mentorship, he helps students of all levels achieve their goals in fitness, competition, and personal development.

"The National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) was formed in 1976 and is a group member of USA Boxing. The NCBA philosophy and rules provide a safe outlet for student boxers with little or no experience in the sport. The organization emphasizes the teaching of fundamental novice boxing skills while providing a safe, positive, and educational experience for student athletes. The NCBA encourages participation at the recreational, instructional, intramural, and competitive amateur boxing levels."

– History and Philosophy - NCBA

Assistant Coaches

Our assistant coaches bring competitive experience, academic discipline, and years of hands-on training into every class, ensuring consistent instruction across boxing, MMA, and youth programs.

Coach Marc Hessel

Marc Hessel created and led the photography program in the Penn State University School of Visual Arts for 33 years, retiring as Professor Emeritus. He was awarded a National Endowment Fellowship in the Arts for his Puerto Rico portfolio, where he also developed a lifelong photography project. During that time, he had the privilege of photographing world champions Félix “Tito” Trinidad and Iván “Iron Boy” Calderón, as well as heavyweight contender Fres Oquendo, while they trained in Puerto Rico. This work sharpened his ability to observe detail – a skill that later carried over into coaching.

In 2005, when amateur boxer Héctor Rosario turned professional, Rosario invited Coach Marc to join Team Rosario as an assistant trainer. He went on to support the team not only in boxing preparation but also by supervising nutrition, drawing on his background in science as a pre-med undergraduate and graduate researcher in biology. From 2012 to 2017, he also assisted Pennsylvania pro Grayson Blake in his training.

In 2014, he was invited to help coach the Penn State Boxing Club's competition team, where he continues to serve as assistant coach.

Although he never boxed himself, Coach Marc has been an avid student of the sport since childhood. While his peers collected baseball cards growing up in New York, he collected boxing cards – a sign that boxing was always part of his destiny.

Coach Marisa Temoshok

Marisa Temoshok is a nationally ranked competitive boxer and assistant coach at Legacy Boxing & Combat Sports Academy, where she plays a key role in our women's boxing program in State College. Competing as a Welterweight, Marisa is entering her fourth year qualifying for NCBA Regionals and earned NCBA All-American honors in 2023 and 2024, bringing high-level experience to both training and instruction.

As a Penn State student studying Criminology and Security & Risk Analysis, Coach Marisa approaches boxing with discipline, patience, and focus. Boxing has been central to building her confidence and mental resilience, and she now brings those lessons into the gym as a coach. Her experience helps guide women's boxing classes, beginner boxers, and competitive athletes through structured, skill-based training.

Coach Marisa is especially passionate about expanding opportunities for women and girls in boxing, helping them build real technique, confidence, and self-belief in a supportive environment. As part of Legacy's coaching team, she emphasizes consistency, accountability, and long-term growth. Her coaching philosophy aligns with Legacy's mission to offer the best boxing gym for women in State College, where athletes of all levels can train with purpose and confidence.

Coach Donovan Quinn

Donovan Quinn brings energy, discipline, and real competitive experience to every youth boxing class. As a 2020 DC Golden Gloves Champion, NCBA National Runner-Up, NCBA Regional Champion, and the current #1 seed for the Middleweight division, he understands what it takes to succeed both in and out of the ring.

With many younger siblings involved in boxing, Coach Donovan has a natural ability to connect with kids and teens. He knows how to keep classes engaging while teaching strong boxing fundamentals, building confidence, coordination, and discipline in a safe, structured, and fun environment. His coaching emphasizes consistency, resilience, and hard work, helping young athletes develop strong habits that extend beyond the gym.

Whether your child is brand new to boxing or looking to sharpen their skills, Coach Donavan focuses on long-term growth, positive mentorship, and helping young athletes enjoy the process while learning real boxing the right way.

Coach Jamie Roth

Jamie Roth is a certified USA Boxing coach who brings experience, structure, and attention to detail to Legacy Boxing & Combat Sports Academy. She works closely with athletes of all skill levels, focusing on proper boxing technique, fundamentals, and long-term development in a supportive training environment.

Coach Jamie plays a key role in coaching our women's boxing classes in State College, helping beginner and experienced boxers build confidence, discipline, and real skill. Her coaching emphasizes technical refinement, safe progression, and structured training that meets athletes where they are.

As a certified USA Boxing coach, Coach Jamie helps uphold the high standards expected at our USA Boxing–registered gym. She provides consistent guidance and positive leadership, ensuring every boxer receives quality instruction and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Visit Us

Legacy Boxing and Combat Sports Academy

2820 East College Ave, Suite F

State College, PA 16801

Easy Parking & Entrance:

We're located in the yellow building across from the McDonald's at Nittany Mall. Park in the lot and follow the posted signs inside the building. Our gym is through the third set of doors on the left. For a visual guide, check out our Gallery for a quick video walkthrough.

After 5:00 PM, members may also use our secondary lot – the first right turn off Decibel Road. Both lots are free and within a short walk to our entrance, making it easy to access evening classes.