Nation's Top Instructors to Teach Summer Martial Arts Clinic

JSU student Alana Dade executes a karate punch.

By Dave Howell
News Bureau

The Jacksonville State University Judo/Jujitsu Club, in conjunction with Professional Martial Arts, Inc., will host the 2005 Summer Martial Arts Clinic at Stephenson Gymnasium July 16-17.

The clinic will feature guest instructors from around the country representing more than a dozen martial arts styles. The event is open to the general public and does not require any previous experience, specific rank, or style affiliation.

"I think everyone will agree that last year's clinic was fun and consisted of some of the finest instruction around," said Dr. Larry Beard, event coordinator. "This year's summer clinic will prove to be the best yet.

"This year we will be working with more assistant instructors to cover each area with plenty of personal attention. Also in solid hard-working 45 minute blocks of instruction, be ready to sweat with hard work, then return home with a wealth of information."

Two of the guest instructors scheduled to attend the event are Professor John Chambers and Grandmaster Neal Hummerstone. Professor Chambers has been training and teaching in the martial arts for more than 50 years. He is the United States representative for the Republic of Korea Yudo Association. Chambers holds 9th degree black belts (dans) in both yudo and jujitsu.

"With strong ties to Judo and continued involvement with multiple martial arts, we consider Mr. Chambers to be one of their finest advisors, and a pioneer of martial arts in the United States," Beard said.

Grandmaster Neal Hummerstone has spent more than 45 years practicing the martial arts. He has researched martial arts in Europe, Japan, Korea and the United States. He is currently the Soke or "head" of the "Aiki Tora Ryu Aikido" system. He also holds an 8th dan in jujitsu, a 5th dan in arnis (Pilipino Stick fighting) and 4th dans in both Impact Kombatan (Pilipino street fighting) and Iaido (Japanese swordsmanship).

More than a dozen other instructors from across the country are also lined up to cover 45 minute blocks of instruction aimed at making each participant a better tactician and martial artist.

Some of the different styles represented will be karate, jujitsu, aikido, hapkido, muay tai kickboxing, kung fu, and judo.

"This is a great time to get to know instructors and other martial arts students and try out styles that you may have never been able to study before," Beard said. "If you come, you will return home a better martial artist, so come show your stuff. The event is free to watch, so bring your video cameras and be prepared for a wealth of knowledge to take home with you."

Preregistration for the event is $35.00 and the price is $40.00 at the door. The cost for children is $25.00. A banquet will be held following Saturday's training session at the Baptist Christian Ministries building. Cost for the dinner is $17.00 per person. For more information, contact Dr. Larry Beard at 782-5078.

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