I don't have much time for hobbies, but I do enjoy watching movies, and chatting on the internet when I get the chance. I like to go camping, canoeing, bowling, and shooting Archery.

Began Taekwondo in 1976.
Attained 1st Dan in 1978 at the age of 18.
I have participated in two seminars with 'Superfoot' Bill Wallace.
I have competed in countless tournaments over the past 32 years.
I have coached/refereed at several Olympic events
Was a coach for USA at 1995 US Open TKD at USOC in Colorado Springs, CO
1996, I was the Indiana State Referee Chairman for the U.S.T.U.
In 1996 I won two Gold medals (sparring and form) at the Indiana State Championships, Wisconsin Championships, and Georgia State Championships.
December of 1996 to January of 1997, I spent 3 weeks in Korea where I learned the culture, history, language, toured Seoul, the Kukkiwon center, and Cheju Island. I studied at two Taekwondo Dojang in Seoul, and I taught Taekwondo to their students.
I was appointed Vice-President of the Universal Taekwondo Union (U.T.U.), and upon the creation of the Universal National Taekwondo Union (U.N.T.U.), I was named the first President.

Most recent promotion to 6th Dan in 2005.

I like most top ten hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, a lot of rock-N-roll, some 70s Disco (only the quality ones like Bee Gees and Donna Summer) and some Country (especially Kenny Rogers, and the awesome Statler Brothers).

My favorite author is Richard Bach, and I love his book Illusions. I like reading any philosophy books, especially the I Ching, and about Tao and Zen.

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I have been actively involved in Martial Art training for 45 years. I began studying the Martial Art (in general) in 1965 at the age of five. My father was Professional Wrestler with Bobo Brazil and Tiny Tim Hampton. My uncle was a Black Belt in Judo. I focused on wrestling in Jr. High and High School, plus Judo and Karate in the 70's.

In 1976, I joined an ATA Taekwondo school at the age of 16. In 1978, I earned my 1st Dan and opened my first school under the close supervision of my teacher, who I continue to train with today (Grandmaster Al Smith of Huntsville, AL & Benton Harbor, MI - 8th Dan). After 8 years with the ATA, I spent 16 years with a Korean Jidokwan Master before reconnecting with my original instructor in the US Chung Do Kwan in 2000. I have been continuously training and teaching Taekwondo for the past 32 years.

I am 49 years old, married since 1997 (my wife is a 3rd Dan Taekwondo Instructor), and I have 3 boys (twins age 10, and a 5 year old as of 2008). Besides teaching Taekwondo, I like spending time with my family. I am open minded, but can be stubborn when I know I'm right. I thought I was wrong once, back in 1967, but I was mistaken - lol.

My Dojang is Sawyer Martial Art (not "arts") located in Sawyer, Michigan. I am the owner and Chief Instructor, and it is an official chartered school of the United States Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDKA) under Sr. Grandmaster Edward Sell, 9th Dan Kukkiwon. As to competition and Olympics, we are affilated with the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), but since no one, and no school can be members of the WTF, our association is USCDKA and is certified by the Kukkiwon.

My curriculum focuses on a balanced training of body, mind and spirit. The Taekwondo is a main heading which includes the philosophy, language, culture, ethics, and Reality Based Self Defense. Techniques of our Taekwondo include hand and foot strikes, throwing techniques, Hoshinsul pressure points and joint locks, Hapkido defense tactics, ground grappling, and a variety of weapons training.

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