USHF NEWS Spring 07

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Changing of the Guard

 

            New officers were elected after the Fall seminar.   We will introduce and let you become familiar with those new officers in a minute, but first we must recognize the ending of an era that defined the USHF to date, and that is the tenure of Mr. Don Burns as president.  Additionally, we thank the rest of the executive board for years of service, many serving multiple terms, in their office.  Granted, a couple of members have switched roles, but we want to thank everyone for their previous service: 

            Mr. Don Burns (President)

Patrick Kelly (Vice-president)

            Jim Thomas (Corresponding Secretary)

            Joyce Lessig (Recording Secretary)

            Terry Moore (Treasurer)

 

As the saying goes, the new officers will be standing on the shoulders of giants.

Here are your current officers with a brief bio and discussion on the state of the USHF, as a way of introduction for anyone who might not know them.

 

 

President

            Mr. Patrick Kelly started Hapkido in 1991 and currently holds a 4th dan within the United States Hapkido Federation.  He also was awarded the rank of Full Instructor in Martial Concepts in 1997.  In 1992, he was appointed the assistant instructor for the Monroe County YMCA and from 1993-1996 he was the Monroe County YMCA Martial Arts Director.  While at the YMCA he taught classes in Hapkido, Martial Concepts, Kid’s Self-defense, and Kid’s Karate.  He has been instructing Hapkido and Self-defense classes at the Indiana University Martial Arts program since 1992.  He instructed for the IU Self-Defense Club in 1993-1995 where he served as Vice-President from 1992 to 1993 and continues serving as a safety officer.  From 1993-2006, he provided security and management for a local business.

Mr. Kelly has studied concepts and techniques from several martial art systems including, Jun-fan Kickboxing, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Muay Thai, Savate, Kali/Escrima, Penjak Silat, Shoot-fighting, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, T’ai Chi, Fencing, Archery and personally subscribes to Sifu Bruce Lee’s philosophy of Jeet Kune Do in both his martial arts training and in life.

 

 

 

 

Vice President

Brandon Sieg started Hapkido in 1993 and is currently a 4th dan.  He has been teaching martial arts professionally since 1996 and teaches hapkido at Indiana University, DePauw University.  Together with Todd Miller, he runs Gentry Martial Arts in Martinsville, IN which also has a HKD program.    Brandon brings a broad perspective to the position of VP, being familiar with many commercial martial arts schools and other HKD programs and organizations like the Korea Hapkido Federation.  This perspective will serve the USHF in his platform to make the USHF more supportive of its member schools outside the university setting and in relations with the broader HKD community.    Brandon has previously served the USHF as editor of the newsletter.  His other martial arts experience includes a 5th dan in taekwondo, a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, an instructorship in tai chi ch’uan, and certification in FAST defense. 

 

Treasurer

            Jim Thomas started in the martial arts in 1974 at the age of eighteen by studying Kyokushin Karate and Tomiki Aikido. After a 20 year hiatus he returned to training by enrolling in an introductory Hapkido class.  He immediately joined the IU Self-Defense club were he earned his 1st dan in Hapkido in 1996.  During his tenure with the club he created the club's first web site and wrote the first club handbook.  Jim also established the first USHF web site and, with Joyce Lessig, converted all the membership records from paper to digital format and created the on-line mailing list.  Jim went on to become one of the Self-Defense/Hapkido club instructors. During his tenure with the Self-Defense club he began studying Tae Kwon Do, earning his black belt in 1999. He then accepted the position of Instructor for the IU Tae Kwon Do club. Throughout this time he has remained active in the Federation and currently holds 4th Dan rank in both Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. 

 

Secretary

            Jacki Watson began practicing Hapkido in the fall of 1998 at Indiana University and is currently a 1st dan.  Since the Spring Semester of 2003 she has been teaching Self Defense and Hapkido classes at Indiana University.  Jacki also teaches Yoga and Pilates for multiple programs at Indiana University Bloomington, as well as privately.  Jacki is a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council of Exercise and works for the Department of Recreational Sports as a Personal Trainer.  Jacki has studied many other martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali, Escrima, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Silat, and Tai Chi Ch’uan. Currently, Jacki is in the second semester of her Fitness Management Master Program at Indiana University and expects to graduate in May of 2008.  Her ability and enthusiasm to organize and to maintain forward momentum and progress for projects and programs is what she hopes to bring to the table for the USHF.

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING SPRING SEMINAR INFORMATION

 

This years spring USHF seminar will be held at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on Sat. April 14th.  Registration begins at 9:30 am.  Seminar runs from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm with a break for lunch.  Cost of the seminar is $30.00 for USHF members, 50.00 for nonmembers.  USHF merchandise will be available at the seminar.   The scheduled slate of presenters follows.

 

10:00-11:00     Eric Schuster (Mudojang) —Defense Against Multiple Opponents.  Everything is bigger in Texas, apparently including the threats.

 

11:00-12:00   Shaun Watts (Gentry Martial Arts)—Punch Defenses to Come Alongs.  To many, come alongs are a neat party trick but not very applicable.  Mr. Watts will help bridge the gap from theoretical to practical.

 

Lunch 12:00-1:00—(Board of Governors Meeting)

 

1:00-2:00  Brandon Sieg (Gentry Martial Arts, DePauw University)—Back Spin Footwork as an Alternative to the Front Motion of Response.  Ever wonder when you are going to use that back spin footwork?  Come see if it is actually a lot more useful than you might think. 

 

2:00-3:00  Steve Chamness (Indiana State University, Martial Concepts)—Close Quarter Combatives.  As a former SWAT team member and tactics instructor for law enforcement, Steve will be bring a real world perspective to CQC. 

 

3:00-4:00  Super Secret Surprise.   Come find out.

 

4:00   Board of Examiners Meeting
 

 

Please note that the Board of Governors and Board of Examiners will be held during lunch and afterwards respectively.   Anyone with any business for the BOG/BOE meetings should contact a USHF exec member. 

 

For those of you who need directions to the Lilly Center on the DePauw University Campus we suggest you try MapQuest.com.  You will need the full address that we have provided below:

 

Lilly Center

702 S. College Ave.

Greencastle, IN 46135

 

 

Congrats to new black belts

We want to recognize all dan promotions earned in 2006 (in order of listed promotion in the records):

 

            Gary Saxman                            1st dan                          Angel Martial Arts

            Todd Miller                              3rd dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            John Bossnack                         1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Jeremiah Deckard                     1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Rajib Bhattacharjee                  1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Leah Sirmin                              1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Bryan Robertson                      4th dan                          Universal Dynamics MA

            Jeff Edwards                            1st dan                          Angel Martial Arts

            Steve Stowronski                     1st dan                          Indiana University

            Joseph Swidler             1st dan                          Indiana University

            Becca Remillard                       1st dan                          Indiana University

            Robert Allen                             1st dan                          Indiana University

            Dan Bicknell                             1st dan                          Indiana University

            Rose Marie Merrick                 1st dan                          Indiana  University

            Ken Hawkins                           1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Caleb Shotts                             1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Derek Smith                             2nd dan                         Gentry Martial Arts

            Ron Tubbs                               4th dan                          Mr. Don Burns

            Peggy Huffines              2nd dan                         Mr. Don Burns

            Marc Shotts                             2nd dan                         Gentry Martial Arts

            Josh Enneking                           1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

            Josh Stetcher                            1st dan                          Gentry Martial Arts

           

 

Help Keep Us Informed

            We would really love to keep everyone informed of important events and newsworthy tidbits.    Was one of your students featured in black belt magazine or in the latest Jackie Chan movie?   Ok, it doesn’t have to be that newsworthy.  Did two black belts from your school tie the knot?  Did you school do a special charity event or was recognized in some way?  Did one of your students do something special—like use HKD to win a talent contest?  Also if you have any other story suggestions for the newsletter, please feel free to contact us. Contact bsieg@gentrymartialarts.com with any submissions.