Alvin 'AJ' Buckley Jr., a visually impaired student, is making strides in wrestling and music at the Mississippi School for the Blind. He began his journey as the sole wrestler on his high school team, finding growth in both sports and music.
Key points
Alvin Buckley Jr. is a visually impaired wrestler and musician.
He is the sole athlete on his high school wrestling team.
Mississippi has limited high school wrestling programs.
Wrestling and music have contributed to Buckley's growth.
He transferred to the Mississippi School for the Blind.
Mentioned in this story
Alvin Buckley Jr.Mississippi School for the BlindMississippi
D'AngeloSoutheastern Conference
When most wrestlers step onto the mat, they think about the technical components of the match â the quickest way to grab a leg, get a turn or pin their opponentâs shoulder blades to the ground. For Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr., heâs thinking about one thing: the song âSpanish Jointâ by DâAngelo.
At the beginning of the wrestling season, Buckley was the sole athlete on his high school team. Early season practices would often consist of Buckley, his coach, and a friend he could convince to be a drill partner for takedowns, throws and pins in a padded practice room no bigger than a two-stall garage.
To some people in the state of Mississippi, that may not be a shock, as the state is home to only 41 high schools with wrestling programs and none at the four-year varsity collegiate level, though once it was popular in the South. The Southeastern Conference dropped wrestling in 1981 as a conference sport, amid a tidal wave of Title IX and Olympic-sport funding issues.
Despite initially misunderstanding the sport, it has grown on Buckley along with his love for music. When he transferred to the Mississippi School for the Blind, both wrestling and music started to make headway for Buckley.
How did his journey at MS School for the Blind start?
When Buckley started wrestling in seventh grade, he thought he was starting a career in the WWE and now admits he was âplayed.â
Buckley transferred to the Mississippi School for the Blind after his genetic eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, started to affect his learning. The disease is a form of night blindness that can develop into tunnel vision later in life, meaning his peripheral vision could diminish. He retains some sight.
In sixth grade, he realized that when the lights were turned off for a test, he couldnât make out the letters on a computer keyboard, prompting the change in schools.
During his time at the Mississippi School for the Blind, Buckley was able to learn more about his visual impairment and wasnât embarrassed to use his mobility cane when needed.
But at first, like most kids, Buckley was uncertain about the change. His dad, Alvin Buckley Sr., remembers the transition between the two schools and the challenge of making new friends.
Q&A
What challenges does Alvin Buckley face as a visually impaired wrestler?
Alvin Buckley faces unique challenges in wrestling, including the need for specialized training and practice partners, as he is the only wrestler on his team.
How has wrestling impacted Alvin Buckley's life at the Mississippi School for the Blind?
Wrestling has provided Alvin Buckley with opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and increased confidence since transferring to the Mississippi School for the Blind.
What is the history of wrestling programs in Mississippi high schools?
Mississippi has only 41 high schools with wrestling programs, and there are no varsity collegiate level teams, reflecting a decline in the sport's popularity since the Southeastern Conference dropped it in 1981.
How does Alvin Buckley incorporate music into his wrestling experience?
Alvin Buckley often thinks about music, particularly the song 'Spanish Joint' by D'Angelo, which helps him focus and find rhythm during his wrestling matches.
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With time, Buckley became comfortable. That confirmed for Buckleyâs mom, Markita Kitchens, her belief about AJ being able to come out of his shell at MSB. It's a feeling with which Kitchens is familiar as an MSB alum, wrestler and cheerleader.
âI never looked at my disability as a problem, because if I can see something, I can see it, if I donât, I donât,â Buckley said.
The school was also where wrestling began to crescendo alongside something else: music.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. puts on headgear during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley has participated in wrestling since seventh grade.
Rogelio Rodriquez wrestles Jameyin Smith during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley originally got into wrestling thinking it was similar to WWE.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. wrestles Wyatt Lodrique during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley has qualified for state multiple times in Mississippi.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. looks over notes on his desk in his room at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Buckley has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease. The disease is a form of night blindness that can develop into tunnel vision later in life, meaning his peripheral vision could diminish.
Tougaloo student Joe Moore and MSB students Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Landen Waldon walk across campus during a visit and orientation and mobility session at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, April 13, 2026. Buckley primarily uses his mobility cane at night as Retinitis Pigmentosa is primarily a form of night blindness.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. looks at books in the library at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Buckley uses his love for music to help him with his writing in different genres including poetry.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. lays on a mat before the start of dance class at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. When he first transferred to the Mississippi School for the Blind in middle school, Buckley was nervous, but he has since become comfortable at the school and with his visual impairment.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. plays baritone during band at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. Buckley has started to compose some of his own music and like most students he learns music through repetition and memorization, to avoid the visual limitation of sheet music, which requires patience and attention to detail.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Antionne Sellers laugh while going over one of Buckley's college essays at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Buckley has learned to play six instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, baritone, piano and drums.
Davyon Nunnery and Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. hold a conversation while lying in their beds at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. At the beginning of the wrestling season, Buckley was the sole wrestler, at the end of the season the team consisted of three members in total. He hopes that in his senior year he can grow the program.
Notes, books and comics fill Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr.'s desk in his room at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. In addition to music, Buckley also is interested in writing and filmmaking and hopes to combine all of them to one day become a creative director.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. talks with head coach Jarrod Dickey during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. It was Dickey's first year as the head coach and learned through research online and applying his knowledge from other sports.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. completes a leg press during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. While wrestling, Buckley thinks about the song "Spanish Joint" by D'Angelo because he finds his flow in music which helps him improvise his wrestling moves.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Davyon Nunnery run laps during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Kimble Funchess, the band director at MSB, knows Buckley is inspiring in the next generation in band and wrestling. "Right now he's not only creating a legacy and building a legacy, he's going to leave a legacy," Funchess said.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Rogelio Rodriquez practice wrist control before a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. In the state of Mississippi, when wrestling involves someone with a visual impairment, contact must be maintained at all times.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. shakes hands with Landen Waldon during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley doesn't view his disability as a limitation or an obstacle. "I never looked at my disability as a problem, because if I can see something, I can see it, if I don't, I don't," Buckley said.
1 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. puts on headgear during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley has participated in wrestling since seventh grade.
1 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. puts on headgear during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley has participated in wrestling since seventh grade.
2 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Rogelio Rodriquez wrestles Jameyin Smith during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley originally got into wrestling thinking it was similar to WWE.
3 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. wrestles Wyatt Lodrique during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley has qualified for state multiple times in Mississippi.
4 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. looks over notes on his desk in his room at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Buckley has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease. The disease is a form of night blindness that can develop into tunnel vision later in life, meaning his peripheral vision could diminish.
5 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Tougaloo student Joe Moore and MSB students Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Landen Waldon walk across campus during a visit and orientation and mobility session at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, April 13, 2026. Buckley primarily uses his mobility cane at night as Retinitis Pigmentosa is primarily a form of night blindness.
6 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. looks at books in the library at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Buckley uses his love for music to help him with his writing in different genres including poetry.
7 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. lays on a mat before the start of dance class at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. When he first transferred to the Mississippi School for the Blind in middle school, Buckley was nervous, but he has since become comfortable at the school and with his visual impairment.
8 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. plays baritone during band at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. Buckley has started to compose some of his own music and like most students he learns music through repetition and memorization, to avoid the visual limitation of sheet music, which requires patience and attention to detail.
9 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Antionne Sellers laugh while going over one of Buckley's college essays at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. Buckley has learned to play six instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, baritone, piano and drums.
10 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Davyon Nunnery and Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. hold a conversation while lying in their beds at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. At the beginning of the wrestling season, Buckley was the sole wrestler, at the end of the season the team consisted of three members in total. He hopes that in his senior year he can grow the program.
11 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Notes, books and comics fill Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr.'s desk in his room at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. In addition to music, Buckley also is interested in writing and filmmaking and hopes to combine all of them to one day become a creative director.
12 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. talks with head coach Jarrod Dickey during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. It was Dickey's first year as the head coach and learned through research online and applying his knowledge from other sports.
13 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. completes a leg press during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. While wrestling, Buckley thinks about the song "Spanish Joint" by D'Angelo because he finds his flow in music which helps him improvise his wrestling moves.
14 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Davyon Nunnery run laps during a wrestling practice at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Kimble Funchess, the band director at MSB, knows Buckley is inspiring in the next generation in band and wrestling. "Right now he's not only creating a legacy and building a legacy, he's going to leave a legacy," Funchess said.
15 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Rogelio Rodriquez practice wrist control before a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. In the state of Mississippi, when wrestling involves someone with a visual impairment, contact must be maintained at all times.
16 / 16
See photos of Alvin âAJâ Buckley Jr. navigates music and wrestling at MSB in Jackson, MS
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. shakes hands with Landen Waldon during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley doesn't view his disability as a limitation or an obstacle. "I never looked at my disability as a problem, because if I can see something, I can see it, if I don't, I don't," Buckley said.
Why does he think about music when he wrestles?
In the past five years at MSB, Buckley's passion for music and wrestling has flourished. Since seventh grade, he has qualified for state wrestling multiple times and learned to play six instruments â trumpet, trombone, saxophone, baritone, piano and drums as he finishes up his junior year.
Kimble Funchess, the band director at MSB, attributes some of Buckleyâs success in other activities and parts of life to his participation in band. It takes patience and attention to detail for the students to learn the music through repetition and memorization, avoiding the visual limitation of sheet music.
When teaching a class, Funchess can often cite a specific section of music and the students know where to start, the tempo and the proper notes, with no visual cue.
Tougaloo student Joe Moore and MSB students Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Landen Waldon walk across campus during a visit and orientation and mobility session at Tougaloo College in Jackson on Monday, April 13. Buckley primarily uses his mobility cane at night as Retinitis Pigmentosa is primarily a form of night blindness.
Tougaloo student Joe Moore and MSB students Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. and Landen Waldon walk across campus during a visit and orientation and mobility session at Tougaloo College in Jackson on Monday, April 13. Buckley primarily uses his mobility cane at night as Retinitis Pigmentosa is primarily a form of night blindness.
The ability to adapt and remain confident transcends into all sports for Buckley: wrestling, football (in middle school), goalball and track. He has learned that his visual impairment can be more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
When facing opponents without a visual impairment, Buckley has learned that, at times, his opponents may doubt his skills. It is at that moment Buckley believes he has the upper hand because they doubt his athletic ability solely based on his vision, leading to an even playing field and eventual victory for Buckley.
Even when his sight is affected more, his attention to detail and confidence are still keen. In 2024, during a South Central Association of Schools for the Blind wrestling tournament, the power briefly went out but they continued wrestling. Buckleyâs sight was affected more than usual without light, but he continued to compete successfully.
As Buckley approaches the end of high school, Funchess sees Buckley coming into his own in all aspects of life â whether it is in athletics or in the creative arts â by being able to tackle whatever is thrown his way. When Funchess learned that Buckley thinks of music when he wrestles, it came as no surprise.
Music gives Buckley a sense of focus and energy unique to him while, quite literally, providing a rhythm where he can improvise his wrestling moves like live music. The song "Spanish Joint" is a love song that centers on a theme of passion and resilience.
âThatâs how AJâs mind works, so this kid, in his mind, heâs writing the soundtrack to his life,â Funchess said.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. plays baritone during band at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Buckley has started to compose some of his own music and like most students he learns music through repetition and memorization, to avoid the visual limitation of sheet music, which requires patience and attention to detail.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. plays baritone during band at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Buckley has started to compose some of his own music and like most students he learns music through repetition and memorization, to avoid the visual limitation of sheet music, which requires patience and attention to detail.
Composing a legacy: What does his future hold?
It is in music where Buckley said he finds his flow, whether he is writing poetry, wrestling, composing his own music or, to his parents' delight, even when heâs cleaning around the house.
His introduction to music began around the age of 5 with piano lessons, where he learned more by ear, because he struggled to read the sheet music.
The seed for music wasnât planted until his later elementary music classes and it took off after he started to work with Funchess at MSB to learn trumpet, making Buckley a third-generation trumpet player following in his father and grandfatherâs footsteps.
From the trumpet to every instrument, musical arrangement and composition that came after it, Buckley hopes to pursue a future in the creative arts in college. Specifically, he hopes to focus on music and creative writing and eventually add filmmaking, combining all three to become a creative director.
âLet's say you get a piece of paper, like a blank piece of paper, and you close your eyes and you just start scribbling on the paper. And then you open it and then you actually made some art. That's how I feel with music,â Buckley said.
Buckleyâs confidence in his musical abilities from his middle school and high school education is what fuels his desire to start learning more about filmmaking and combining all his interests into one.
âThatâs a creative energy that you almost cannot teach. It has to be in you, so once we catch students from an early age to start feeding that energy, the possibilities are endless,â Funchess said.
The energy and joy go beyond Buckleyâs creative endeavors and into the wrestling room. In his early years of competition, Buckley was learning from the high schoolers on a team as big as 10 people at times.
As the upperclassmen graduated and the team narrowed to just Buckley, he started to do his own research on collegiate wrestlers to learn more about the sport. Itâs a process with which his first-year head coach, Jarrod Dickey, is familiar. Having previously coached goalball, Dickey had to teach himself about the ins and outs of wrestling.
Goalball is a sport where competitors track a jingling ball blindfolded as a team in an effort to keep it from going in their goal.
Dickey helped as an assistant on the wrestling team the previous year but had to do his own research to learn more about the sport as he became head coach.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. shakes hands with Landen Waldon during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley doesn't view his disability as a limitation or an obstacle. "I never looked at my disability as a problem, because if I can see something, I can see it, if I don't, I don't," Buckley said.
Alvin "AJ" Buckley Jr. shakes hands with Landen Waldon during a wrestling dual between Mississippi School for the Blind and Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Buckley doesn't view his disability as a limitation or an obstacle. "I never looked at my disability as a problem, because if I can see something, I can see it, if I don't, I don't," Buckley said.
In early practices, Buckley and Dickey had to get creative between the two of them, using a football dummy until Buckley could convince friends or the occasional teacher to sub in for drills.
Despite the low numbers, Buckley plans to wrestle during his senior year, not in pursuit of wins but to be a role model for the next generation.
By the end of his junior year, the team grew to a total of three and Buckley knows thereâs interest from incoming seventh graders, providing him with the chance to inspire the next generation at MSB, a hat Funchess already sees him wear in band by helping younger students.
âRight now heâs not only creating a legacy and building a legacy, heâs going to leave a legacy,â Funchess said.
Ayrton Breckenridge is a visual journalist for the Clarion Ledger who has covered wrestling in four different states over the past fives years at high school, collegiate and professional levels.
