|
|||||
MUSEUM OF SPORT KARATE — Blog
Spread it!
260 comments to MUSEUM OF SPORT KARATE — BlogLeave a Reply |
|||||
|
Copyright © 2023 MUSEUM OF SPORT KARATE - All Rights Reserved Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa |
|||||
Found out the secrets of being a sport karate animal in the 60’s, 70’s 80’s 90’s and breaking the 2000 mark with retirement and a whole new journey with the Sport Karate Museum Archives.
Every story starts with a virtue of the Samurai which relates to the moment!
Memoirs of An American Samurai has the “WOW FACTOR”!
I am not a reader and have not read a entire book in the past 8 years…until now. Chapter 1 grabbed me and enthralled me untill the end. Each chapter thereafter engrossed my mind and fasinated me with each word I read. Professor Gary Lee shares his experience in great detail of how he gained wisdom and knowledge in the martial arts world. Taking you on each of one his journeys from the little grass hut, hitchiking with strangers to meeting life long friends in a park.
Professor Lee has trained and competed with the “best of the best”, the true “Blood and Gut” legends of Martial Arts. This book gives you a insight from a competitors edge with a champion’s mind.
Memoirs Of An American Samurai is a book that every martial artist’s and non martial artist’s alike will not be able to put down!
Master Jamie Cashion
6th Degree Black Belt American Karate
6th Dan American Tae Kwon Do
Rokyn 6th Degree Black Belt/cross trained Hawaii Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jiu Jitsu
2011 Inductee to The Masters Hall of Fame
Click on to purchase !
http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-American-Samurai-Warriors-Journey/dp/1463698062/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311059329&sr=8-2
The 70’s in the new nightclub business was tough ,add to the fact I was young and had no business experience and thrown into management , i did not have the maturity as of yet , however this story reminds me how I matured quickly and I feel proficient in business because of moments like this. ,,,
My love for my country , fellow Americans and our flag,
Osu
I believe America was still remembering Vietnam and was not ready for this Hostage thing , just my opinion,,,,,,,
It is 1979 and I am planning on moving to Texas to pursue my Karate Journey and in my mind I am closer to home , Hawaii,
I missed aloha everyday .
The club is busy as ever and on college night we would get all sorts of groups, alumni and makes and models ,right after the Hostage thing ,we had a group of Iranian students start coming in ,sitting together ,dancing ,drinking ,have a good time. .
It was a very delicate situation and time in history , Americans were mad ,pissed off and confused , the younger generation was radical about it.
Then one night I was in the cock pit or DJ Booth and I could see the whole club and I saw something that really upset my sense of history of what I had in me .
Four of the college men had a table next to the other two Iranian College students table and they had put a American Flag as a table cloth and set their pitchers of beer and drinks on , I went nuts !, call my guys ,approached them ,took the flag off the table and asked them to leave and then it as if they planned next few moments ,,,all three table got up ,even the ladies /girls,and went after me ,I had six guys on that night plus two or three bartenders that jumped in ,still there was at least thirty or forty Iranian students we had to control quickly , the rest wasn’t pretty .
The two months later at the deposition when we in front of authorities discussing our case .
My boys all walked in wearing American Flags on their sleeve and I had my folded American Flag and then our lawyer said his thing and then I shared what I felt that night when I saw whomever disrespect our /my American Flag that represents all of us, then I started saying name after name after name that I had copied from the Memorial Wall .
I was well into the hundreds of names when I was stopped by the opposite lawyer and said “We need a break for a moment”
They came back and dropped all charges against the Electric Warehouse, my guys and me ,,,I remember , I started to read the names again as they all were getting up and leaving , I kept reading names until everyone from that group was out of the room , they never came back !
Later that week,Griffin, Lassitor and Segal ,the other owners, let me put a twelve foot by twelve foot American Flag in the front entrance ,,,Well off to Texas!
Fortune Son
https://youtu.be/CvwQmxLaknc
The Electric Warehouse Chronicles / BLOG
https://www.facebook.com/groups/596622640504076/
I enjoyed this very easy to read book. The book chronicled Professor Gary Lee’s life from a boy in Hawaii, to travelling through the United States and competing all around the world.
Professor Gary Lee is a very accomplished Martial Artist and a great story teller.
I really enjoyed the comparison to the Samurai quotes of attitude to the stories he has lived, it is a “one of kind reading!”
From a boy who lost his parents at a very young age,to becoming the curator of the Sport Karate Museum Archives
Professor Lee is an inspiration to many.!
I encourage you to get the book.
Lt. Colonel William L.Roberts ,Retired .
Anchorage ,Alaska USA
Click to purchase
http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-American-Samurai-Warriors-Journey/dp/1463698062/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311059329&sr=8-2
Living Legends Celebrity Roast and KATA WARS
October 7th and 8th
Hilton Southwest
Houston , Texas
Always remember to have a good time , Osu
Cherish life and hug someone today , tomorrow and smile
Thank you for the Support
Sport Karate Museum Archives
TICKETS ON SALE
713-483-0476
281-221-2145
https://www.facebook.com/gary.lee.1420/videos/vb.100001577225134/1144287385633825/?type=2&theater¬if_t=video_processed¬if_id=1466048677286965
Happy Fathers Day Toshiro Sensei
Teaching me Karate and how to surf ,these are things I will never forget.
I miss you everyday and this little short story is dedicated to you , sir
Love and miss you deeply
Gary San
The first and last time I got arrested.
In the 70’s I hitch hike everywhere , it was what I liked to do ,seeing the country .
I ended up in Florida and my friend, Royce Livingston were adv id surfers,
We stayed on the coast just chasing waves!
We ended up at Daytona Beach Florida and it was great !
He was surfing a air craft carrier , 7 foot ,single Fin Mako brand and I ,a Gordon and Smith ,five foot -seven ,twin fin cream la cor finish with my Karate Symbol on front ,
I carried that board everywhere.
It was my connection with home , Hawaii
The waves were four to five foot on a good break, we started to move down the beach toward the end where there is a large canal directly at the beach that separates Daytona Beach from New Symrna Beach where the Coast guard station was.
With out us knowing ,years ago they dug out the beach forty to fifty feet out for the Canal for the Coast Guard Ships to come though easliy and there was a shelf underneath the breaking waves that made the waves at that end of the beach two to three more feet.
Now we are talking about seven foot waves on a normal day ,just because of that underwater deep shelf.
We had found a Honey Spot !
The weather was changing , however we were in Hog Heaven and did not notice ,except the wind was kicking up pretty strong.
.
First Warning!
Royce had forgotten the “Frog Wax” for the boards and mine was needing a fresh batch of wax , it was getting slippery ,so he left to get some at a convenient store a Seven Eleven,
I was alone.
We did not know a Hurricane watch had been issued and everyone was to get out of the water.along the beach , both beaches !
Now the waves are almost ten feet ,breaking , a storm is coming but I didn’t care,,,then I heard the siren and LOUD SPEAKER!,, You there GET OUT OF THE WATER ,NOW!!!!!!
I did , got scolded and warned and I left the beach until he was out of site , mind you I was young and stupid , so I go back out in the water, first wave , second cut , cool ,,,then again the LOUD SPEAKER ,this time he was upset , he treated me as if I was a vicious criminal ,threw my board in back of his trunk ,handcuffed me and put me back of the seat,.
I was scared to death , he asked my age and I said “Sixteen”
Then he explained to me the reason I was treated in the matter he used to understand authority of a policeman ,we are here to help , however I warned you and you went back , What I am I going to do with you ?,
I told him about Royce and the Frog Wax and he had no idea what I was talking about , however we found Royce walking back to the beach .
When Royce saw me in the Sheriff’s car he freaked out and asked , “Hey Gary what did you do ?
I answered “I got arrested for surfing, did you get my Frog Wax ?
Big Waves of Hawaii and Sharks
https://youtu.be/INbs0gj6Y3A
Samurai spirit lives in a larger than life Warrior, Gary Lee!
The first time I encountered him he was practicing his Bo Kata along with all the other people in my division!.
I had a mishap with my Bo and snapped it in two. I thought that this very strong character wouldn’t have a problem with me borrowing his. Without hesitation he replied in a very loud and guttural OUS!!
Well as it turned out I beat him with his own Bo and our friendship was begun!
We where both in the stage that good martial Arts excited us. We met at every tournament and had lengthy talks well over 20 years ago of his dream to keep the history and those that made it alive!
I’m proud to be a History General to the Museum of Sport Karate!
I was the National arbitrator to the NBL back in the day and I got to see Gary from all sides, the best word to describe him is passionate!
I remember being badly abused at one competition that offered Cash.
Gary and I had worked out a skit that put me to the ground with a leg sweep, then he ripped open my shirt, placed a banana on my hairy belly while wielding a samurai sword!
Next thing you now he sheathed the blade and bit the Banana! “sorry about the hair in the teeth Gary”
! Needless to say he won!
Since then we’ve become Brothers by Choice!
We have seen the passing of great people within the Martial Arts realm, wonderful friends and fantastic artists!
We talked so long ago about the many sad and many joyous moments that we need to remember!
Gary and his unlimited energy have made his dreams and our discussions a reality!
Bless him and his Endeavour
! He has my support and the support of everyone I’ve talked to.
Scott Hogarth Kyoshi
Fighting Griffin Martial Arts
Canada
My memory of Mr. Geis 1979 – 2014
Last night teaching some Judo reminded me of my friend ,
Good memory!
The great martial artist Professor Gary Lee ,Gary has taken the gift of Life and though his great character , dedication and ethical standards built a wonderful educational institution that carcasses the entire legendary history of sport martial arts before the legends are gone. He is a tireless worker for the sport karate history that should be told and shared, I will support his efforts what ever it takes .
12 / 26 / 09
Karl E. Geis
Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame
Kudon Judo
Kudon Aikido In 1978
I was leaving California back to South Carolina and then to Texas ,one of my friends Mr. Gene Lebell said ” if you go to Texas , Gary ,especially Houston ,look up my good friend Karl Geis. I will call him and let him know your coming , he’s as good as me ,maybe a pinch better”, Mr. Lebell hug me without choking me out and I was gone to Texas. The fearsome four I called them, these were my first encounters in Texas , Linda Denley , George Minshew, Jimmy Tabares and Mr. Geis .
I am a youngster ,early twenties and I am in Texas, I found the Dojo in the phone book , before the internet , I hitch hike to Long point , then to Butter crest and there it is , bigger than life Dojo and home ,together, it was cool ,he lived on this huge piece of land ,Dojo and home ,engulf by trees and beautiful landscape . I walked up to the door , bowed and saw about twenty Judo and Aikido animals working out, saw a stool and sat down , nobody came up to me or acknowledge my presence and I just sat there and sat there, finally I got up ,went to bathroom ,changed into my Gi , bowed on the floor and started working my Kata , back then I was running Sepei and Unsu, Kan Ku Dai, ,
I was getting looks and still know one had came up to me and even said Osu or hello and then it hit me not all Dojos are Karate friendly.
I had learned that from my travels around America, maybe I had stepped in the wrong Dojo, so I went into Hawaii mode and I saw a bunch of brooms , I grabbed one and started sweeping, still no one acknowledge me , after about a hour the class had thinned out to just Black Belts and then he walked in! Everyone stop what they were doing and said ” Osu” and his presence was pure and real ,
Now there were two only Black Belts left so I went to put the broom back in the corner, I had been sweeping for almost two hours when I heard a gruff but soft voice say ” Please you missed a spot over there and when you finish run those Japanese Katas again ,
I like Unsu the best, Osu”
This is how I met Mr. Geis , we sat though the night and talked and I knew I had made a dear friend . Garett was introduced to Mr. Geis at four years old and would go with us on many lunches at Mr. Geis’s favorite Korean restaurants , go back to the Dojo and work on sweeps, take downs, joint locks ,roto seganigi,ippon seginati, attitude, attitude, attitude,
Osu
I really believed the reason Garett was so tough on his Black Belt test was because of that training,
Osu
1999, Mr. Geis never came to events ,however he did come to the first Living legends and watch Garett ,
I remember he sat next to Kim Soo.
Though the years it was a visit here and there ,always asking his advice on the Museum, he had given me some personal items and his blessing ,his love though the years and help my son be the martial artist he is today
There is something special I remember , when ever we would have lunch and if a policeman or first respondors was in the restaurant ,he would pay for their meal , I saw this dozen of times , one day at a Korean Restaurant he bought eight policemen lunch and mine , he was ptretty cool,,,Osu
Thank you in so many ways , Good bye my friend ,Osu,,,here is song for you sir I remember one of our lunches ,you liked this song and wanted me to play it twice,,
Osu
Love Gary and Garett
https://youtu.be/cf0BGdmmtAI
Sensei Karl E. Geis, Judan, passed away this April 18th. Karl E. Geis, 10th Dan Professor of Aikido, 10th Dan Professor of Judo, and 9th Dan Professor of Jodo, had been a significant martial arts figure in the United States since the late 1950s.
He began studying Judo at the Kodokan in Tokyo, Japan, in 1955, while stationed there as a member of the United States Air Force, and was introduced to Aikido the following year.
Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Geis continued his studies, both at home and on a number of extended sabbaticals to Japan throughout the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, expanding his training to include Jodo (short staff fighting art), as well.
His extensive martial arts experience covers an impressive fifty years, and for over fifteen years, until his passing, he headed an international association of martial artists nearly a thousand strong. His individual blend of Western analytical thought and Eastern understanding, will continue to make his technical styles unique and valuable to martial artists throughout the world.
Mr. Geis was known for his vast technical knowledge of Aikido and Judo, along with his ability to demonstrate this knowledge, but he was, also, known for his ability to teach the martial arts.
He pioneered the positive reinforcement method of teaching the martial arts in the early 60’s, long before the effectiveness of this approach was recognized and accepted. His work with children remains a model for successful schools everywhere. Over the years, Mr. Geis touched the lives of literally thousands of people, and his life was an outstanding example of a generous and unselfish man.
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
You know after all the fussing,lying,two face backstabbing bull crap ,all the negative criticism and constructive criticism, the suggestions, the manipulation of one’s words and the deliberate decisions to hurt or have bad intent toward someone or some group that exist.
You have forgiveness and after all when you think about it ,…….
We are all just passing though,,,,,,,.this life of moments!
Learn to forgive…….
.
Professor Gary Lee
9th Dan
Sport Karate Museum Archives
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
The “LIVE INTERVIEW”
September 8th, 2016
Listen to the new episode Interview With Professor Gary Lee Founder of The Sport Karate Museum Archives!
This show will remind you of your sport karate roots and how all of us were mesmerized by our heroes who were Asian influence with Karate , however sport karate was born in America!
Enjoy the Show !
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theamaa-martialartsshow/2016/09/09/interview-with-professor-gary-lee-founder-of-the-sport-karate-museum
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
A Texas Sport Karate Christmas Story
We are so blessed to have our everyday lives and to be in the surroundings we have built our lives around and yet we are surrounded by the sadness that a child is hungry or without shelter and they are hundreds ,maybe thousands in America.
I will never forget all those years on the road of life ,homeless
I believe in one person and they may make a difference and people are generally good with good intentions ,
We can make a difference!
I was near the George R.Brown convention center visiting one of my favorite restaurants today and I notice a little boy selling American Flags on a stick, he had about ten of them and I asked him “How Much”
He looked at me and said “Just a donation, sir, my Dad needs a new stick for his Karate and I want to buy him one for Christmas”
I asked him “Where is your Dad ?
Then a gruff voice spoke and said ,” Abel, I told you not to talk to strangers unless I was present”
Obviously it was the boys father and because I was curious I mention Karate and then I see the patch , a early 1980’s Karate Olympiks Competitor patch that was given to fighters at the Houston event almost forty years ago .
I am freaking now!!! and asked him who what ,when and where and we sit down and talk. .
Thirty years ago, he was very successful in his consulting business , married ,two kids and he took karate on the north side of town.
He remember me distinctively, he said I was loud , wore a Black Uniform and broke a lot of boards .
In the nineties he lost everything , family ,home , job and he has been living on the street ever since , all those years ,,,I was blown away that he was not bitter and with what he remember of his karate days.
He asked me to meet his new family and it wasn’t to far ,down by the bayou in the small neck of woods ,tents were set up and three or four families were there together ,his home was two tents ,one for his young boy Abel ,his two sisters and the other was for him and his lady, he offered me a cup of coffee and we talked for another hour and then I asked Abel ,,,
Hey little brah,,,,can I still make a donation for the flags?,,,except I want to get all Ten of them and the big stick you meant earlier was a staff? ,,,right
Yeah I was right his Dad would practice with a Bo after all these years and he had broken his Bo defending against a bunch of hoods one night . .
I told them to stay put and I would be back in a couple of hours.
I went to the Karate Studio and got a six foot bo /staff , wrapped in a ribbon and two Gi’s ,one for him and one for Abel.
Then I went to Toys R Us and took care of Santa Clause for Abel and the girls,got a tree and decorations , five stockings and filled them up with simple necessities ,lots of Hard Candy and gift cards of some local dinners and cafeterias and of course McDonald’s gift cards for Breakfast ,,,
Thank goodness for the dollar stores and Five and Under , Toys R Us Manager and the Walgreen’s Manager that helped.
My last stopped was LaQuinta Inns by the Convention Center , the Manager was a dear friend of mine and I had a few events there and he owed me a favor or two ,,so I asked him to give this Old Karate Warrior a two night stay for Christmas , Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
When I pulled up ,Abel was the first to come up to me and said “You came back , you came back !!, you still want the flags ?
Of Course I do , however a donation is just not enough and My day was blessed again because of my faith to believe when your passionate about somethings ,you must always give back .
We spent the afternoon making their little camp a little Christmas spirited flavor and I told them I will pick them up Saturday morning Christmas Eve take them to the hotel and take them back to their camp Monday morning
Thank you Lord for making Karate my way of life ….Osu
Hard Candy Christmas
https://youtu.be/bvK1F6bUrzU
LOST RADIO SHOW WIT Professor Gary Lee
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sidekick-talk-radio/2013/01/20/sidekick-talk-radio
We are not a Martial Arts or Black Belt Hall of Fame,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,
We are a Who’s Who of Sport Karate in America,
We are all influence by Asian Culture and history , however Sport Karate was born in America !
It is not a circus show of Jugglers , dance routines or theater acts and we will constantly and be aggressive to protect the History ,One Warrior at a time
The Sport Karate History Generals
Giving back and understanding what the pioneers did for all of us ,60 years Sport Karate has been here in America
Asian Influence ,however created in America, Sport Karate was destine to grow ,how lucky we were to be in the likes of Joe Lewis R.I.P, Chuck Norris,Allen Steen ,J.Pat Burleson ,Jim “Ronin”Harrison,Sid Campbell R.I.P, Mike Stone and watch them become American heroes before our eyes .
Pioneers Radio Blog Show Legends and Pioneers “Parts Unknown” digs into the deep interviews and we want you to call up ,e-mail ,write or call a pioneer in martial arts and tell them “Thank You ”
We are is losing an entire generation of fine Black Belts, men and ladies who laid the foundation for, and developed the strongest system of martial arts in the world.
The passing of each saddens me greatly. .
We suggest that you seek out, and talk with as many from that generation as possible.
When they pass, there will never be the likes of them again. Never.
The time is not to Run Away ,but to embrace our Sport Karate History.
Hug a Sport Karate Pioneer Today !
Running away ,
Pablo Cruise
https://youtu.be/FLNsVXr5zlk
Protecting the History ,One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
I went tonight to the American Legion $2.00 Spaghetti dinner and met some incredible people , however a group of special guys were there ,
Real American heroes!
They were part of a special combat group from Nam ,who after all these years, get together and share .
Reserved ,but serious folk ,
When a loudmouth across the room just started talking crap , not a soldier ,just a loudmouth !
I walked over and asked him to show a little respect and remember where he is and the heroes that were in that room ,
He was arrogant and rude and had no clue what he was blabbering about .
Finally ,one of the Vets ,Old timer, maybe 70 plus years old who had his computer with him said to the loudmouth pecker head,Sir ,,
May I show you something ?
He then brought this picture up on his computer and then kinda started to cry and said” You know young man , I hear you talking about War and Combat ,but do you know why we did what we did ,it was for the man next to you and the self protection of loyalty to one another !
That is a fact that no one understood except the man beside you.
That is why I,,we went out sometimes twice ,three times what ever it took to get the job done and the most important fact ,,,,,,
Never leave no one behind , not one person, not ever.
We always thought this war was going to end soon and it never did.
I hope you never have to experience true Hell , young man .
Then he went to the little bar in the hall and sat and cried
,
I put my arm around him and cried a little myself and thought what a honor being here and hearing that witness of this American Hero!
He looked up at me and said “Thank you for confronting that guy” ,
You know I should be on that wall but a few of those guys save my life ,so I am here instead ,they didn’t leave me behind.
When the RPG hit ,I was hit pretty bad , couldn’t walk or crawl and I will never forget the grunts who came back and got me to the copter
I said Sir , you are the one who put him his place and I thank you
Thank you for your service ,Osu
What a night!
“Rambling Cousin Eddie”
I remember our first Dojo, it was less than a thousand square feet!
No wait ,lets go back farther in memory.
It was a small two bedroom apartment and we converted one 10 x12 room into a working Dojo ,holes in the wall ,neighbors calling the police for the loud noises every Tuesday and Thursday night.
Whats funny three of the policemen that came to the complaints became students,,anyway ,,we moved to a little strip center and I remember we had a big huge square stilt in the middle of the small studio and we had to wrap it with blankets so we wouldn’t get hurt hitting against it.
Sensei would knock us into it on purpose because he said ‘that was the guy you didn’t expect and probably would hurt you the most”
The built wooden brace to hang a old canvas heavy bag ,I remember the rolls of duck tape we went though to keep that Bag alive , one table and one chair for sign ups ,one bathroom for changing your clothes and do your business , the Bamboo curtain , two mirrors side by side ,cracked in places from fight nights and a wooden silhouette of a man with holes in it ,that was for the Star throwing that we use to do with Rice Chex Cereal targets,,
Sensei would take Elmers glue and glue these Rice Chex Cereals all over the Man silhouette and for every one we would hit,we didn’t have to the push ups and all the calisthenics and go straight to fighting,
Sensei was kinda weird ,but it worked we had focus ,he called it Kime.
Fights nights would consist of anyone!
I mean anyone ,Sensei would put a add in the local community newspaper and it would say “Fight Night ” at the Pashou school of Self Defense, that’s all and they would flock in like seagulls eating popcorn!
I mean all kinds , some with attitudes ,some wanting to workout ,some just wanting to watch for it was that crazy, Karate people Bikers,Cowboys ,Ninja’s high ranking wanna be fighters and my favorite Boxer’s , anytime a real Boxer would come in we would all get the crapp beat out of us!
Sensei would put everybody’s name in a bowl and two names would be drawn and they would fight , period ,,
The only problem is those guys above had no idea who they were fighting ,sparring or getting it on with Sport Karate fighters that Sensei was friends with and would be there on a regular basis was Louis Vazquez, , Al Garza, Steve Fotenote, Linda Denley, Kevin W. Scott,Ernie “Radar” Smith, Jeff McRae, Cocky Fotenote, George “Lighting “Sorrell, Chris Klecka,Kevin Roy, James Vernon,James Sparkman, John Sparkman, Hippiie.
I also remember three kids that was Sensei’s kids and they were tough.
They came from that little apartment Dojo , Stacy Love, Kevin Roy, Troy Smith.
I could never figure out why Sensei would put those Kids in with all those fighters, now years later I understand, fighting adults made them mentally tough so if they could do this ,when they grow up they could do anything!
So many others walked though that little Dojo !
All I remember the next day ,maybe for two days afterward,
I couldn’t walk and and it was extremely hard moving around in my RV.
“Rambling Cousin Eddie”
A martial arts Fan
“Rambling Cousin Eddie”
Opinion of a Martial Arts Fan
I remember our first Dojo, it was less than a thousand square feet!
No wait ,lets go back farther in memory.
It was a small two bedroom apartment and we converted one 10 x12 room into a working Dojo ,holes in the wall ,neighbors calling the police for the loud noises every Tuesday and Thursday night.
Whats funny three of the policemen that came to the complaints became students,,anyway ,,we moved to a little strip center and I remember we had a big huge square stilt in the middle of the small studio and we had to wrap it with blankets so we wouldn’t get hurt hitting against it.
Sensei would knock us into it on purpose because he said ‘that was the guy you didn’t expect and probably would hurt you the most”
The built wooden brace to hang a old canvas heavy bag ,I remember the rolls of duck tape we went though to keep that Bag alive , one table and one chair for sign ups ,one bathroom for changing your clothes and do your business , the Bamboo curtain , two mirrors side by side ,cracked in places from fight nights and a wooden silhouette of a man with holes in it ,that was for the Star throwing that we use to do with Rice Chex Cereal targets,,
Sensei would take Elmers glue and glue these Rice Chex Cereals all over the Man silhouette and for every one we would hit,we didn’t have to the push ups and all the calisthenics and go straight to fighting,
Sensei was kinda weird ,but it worked we had focus ,he called it Kime.
Fights nights would consist of anyone!
I mean anyone ,Sensei would put a add in the local community newspaper and it would say “Fight Night ” at the Pashou school of Self Defense, that’s all and they would flock in like seagulls eating popcorn!
I mean all kinds , some with attitudes ,some wanting to workout ,some just wanting to watch for it was that crazy, Karate people Bikers,Cowboys ,Ninja’s high ranking wanna be fighters and my favorite Boxer’s , anytime a real Boxer would come in we would all get the crapp beat out of us!
Sensei would put everybody’s name in a bowl and two names would be drawn and they would fight , period ,,
The only problem is those guys above had no idea who they were fighting ,sparring or getting it on with Sport Karate fighters that Sensei was friends with and would be there on a regular basis was Louis Vazquez, , Al Garza, Steve Fotenote, Linda Denley, Kevin W. Scott,Ernie “Radar” Smith, Jeff McRae, Cocky Fotenote, George “Lighting “Sorrell, Chris Klecka,Kevin Roy, James Vernon,James Sparkman, John Sparkman, Hippiie.
I also remember three kids that was Sensei’s kids and they were tough.
They came from that little apartment Dojo , Stacy Love, Kevin Roy, Troy Smith.
I could never figure out why Sensei would put those Kids in with all those fighters, now years later I understand, fighting adults made them mentally tough so if they could do this ,when they grow up they could do anything!
So many others walked though that little Dojo !
All I remember the next day ,maybe for two days afterward,
I couldn’t walk and and it was extremely hard moving around in my RV.
“Rambling Cousin Eddie”
A martial arts Fan
I had a letter the other day come in and I try to read all the fan mail I can, we get hundreds ,I do not throw away one piece of mail that is handwritten ,for that is a rare moment now in the old age of e-mail and internet communication and I feel if some one takes the time to sit down and write a letter
I will take the time to read it and I am glad I did
It was a letter from a retired Doctor , a surgeon who had his practice in St. Louis, Missouri and in his early years of the 60’s ,he was a Practitioner of martial arts under Hanshi Sid Campbell in Oakland, California, a Shorin Ryu master teacher who was one of the first of his kind to introduce traditional martial arts in America.
The letter read ” I have been keeping up with all the positive and negative response to whether or not people care about the History of Sport Karate and the archives that people are having questions about things that hapen 50 ,40 ,30 years ago when the sport was created and I feel people do give a #%*^# about the history.
I want to know and most of all I would like to see more people care , I know people forget and they get invovled with other things in life ,however as a retired professional I will never forget what sport karate did for my focus and concentration to be a Doctor, now I feel I want to know every thing, how, when, where and when things happen , so I follow men and hard core karate historians like Professor and I know even though we will probaly never meet I appreciate the history gathering , Osu
Thank you
Dr. Stanley Provost ,retired
Fan of the Sport Karate history archives.
A Statement from Sid Campbell, an American Sport Karate Pioneer
Aloha and welcome,
The Sport Karate Museum Organization under the guidance of founder Gary Lee is a major step forward in preserving the past, unifying the present and strengthening the future of the sporting aspects of our art. It is also the official home of the history, traditions and accomplishments of great martial artists that pioneered the way in bringing these exciting sport-oriented martial traditions to the United States and spreading it throughout the western world.
What we see today in the vast expanse where the martial arts have entrenched itself in American’s culture and social fabric is a plethora of positive human qualities that was spawned by the martial arts sport movement. Through venues like karate tournaments, major action-adventure motion picture productions, professionally sanctioned televised events, martial arts schools, law enforcement agency defense tactics curriculums, Internet connectivity, seminars, magazine publishers, equipment supply companies, instructional books, educational DVDs, video arcade games, etc. — can all, in one way or another, trace its roots back to the sport martial arts competitors of the early 1960s when the Asian martial traditions were being introduced to the world. More specifically, it was the martial arts competitors, tournament producers and the fans of that bygone era that we today call the “golden age” of karate in America is of where this expansive and phenomenal growth evolved from in the first place.
Being fortunate enough to be one of the first Americans to teach Okinawan karate in the United States and western world during karate’s “golden age” of the 60s, I was blessed to be a part this cultural evolution. To be a small part of this dedicated cadre of this movement which now touts tens of millions of practitioners on a global scale still humbles me beyond the scope of words alone.
In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined that the martial disciplines like karate, kung-fu (gung-fu), judo, jujitsu, ninjitsu, tae kwon do, kempo, escrima, kendo, aikido, iaido, kali, capoeira, savate, sambo, kobudo, pankration, bugei, wushu, mixed martial arts and eclectic martial arts would have reached that level of popularity in the past forty some odd years. And, to see the art I love so much endure these sometimes tumultuous times and undergo so many innovative changes along the way while still retaining the quintessential essence of its original purpose and traditional values is truly astounding. Perhaps what is just incredible about this form of physical expression that emphasizes moral and ethical values is that it has helped develop some of the finest human beings that these past four decades of growth can produce. I must attribute this, at least in part, to the exceptional martial arts educators that have dedicated their life and energy to elevating the spirit of the warrior and teaching the arts that has been a way of life for a select few for the past fifteen hundred years.
The Sport Karate Museum was created and founded on the premise that the efforts, dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm of these early practitioners would be preserved and passed forth for posterity sake. A noble cause in deed when we stop to think that many future generations will know who was responsible for this phenomenal growth and worldwide popularity from a sport perspective. Again, I must reiterate that this worthy endeavor to document, archive and house the sporting aspects of these myriad of martial disciplines that were, in part, responsible for this global popularity of the martial arts is the righteous and just action to take so that future generations will be able to share in the excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie that was unwittingly nurtured in karate’s “golden age” of karate in America. And, as with any endeavor that attracts the interest of millions of avid devotees, preserving the past, unifying the present and strengthening the future needs a strong foundation to insure existence.
I believe Gary Lee has set the cornerstone in place through his unceasing efforts and true love for the martial disciplines to guide this endeavor into the future. His insightful perception will undoubtedly insure that the sports aspects of the martial arts will be preserved and passed forward for many, many generations to come. For that, we will all be deeply indebted.
As you visit the Five House you will step back in time to when America and the western world was embracing the cultural traditions of Asia and forming an international bond that is stronger today because of his many years of hard work.
Essentially Gary Lee has captured time in a bottle so that others can share these moments and drink from that same fountain of knowledge that America’s karate pioneers enjoyed from its introduction in 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona.
With great respect and Aloha,
Malama pono,
Sid Ka’imi Campbell R.I.P
10th dan, hanshi, kaicho
Founder, the World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Association (WOSKKA)
Once in a while, when I’m alone, I think about my age. I think, How many more years do I have on this earth?
But I can’t really conceive of dying. Somehow, in my head, I don’t think I’ll die. I know that everybody dies, of course.
I just think that it’ll never come to me.
It’s crazy, but there it is.”
Don Rickles
Don Rickles said “It takes many years to perfect your craft being a Comedian,,,,,,
Dean Martin responds and says , Yeah your time hasn’t came yet !
and Don Rickles responds ,,”Thank you Jerry” (inside joke)
And you will Mr. Rickles , when I was growing up I had three comedians that I copied things about them to make me a better actor and just funny for the Six Flag Shows.
They were Red Skeleton because of his wisdom ,improvisational skills , love of country he would say regulary before and after his shows and always saying “God Bless”
Then there was Robin Williams who I opened for at the Houston Actors Conservatory of Texas for the MENSA FOUNDATION, he was so funny I would cry so hard laughing on and off camera and his smartness overwhelmed me and now we have loss Mr. Don Rickles Comedy royalty.
I loved him the first time I saw him live in Las Vegas and then in 1997 the Sport Karate Museum created the Celebrity Roast after Dean Martins Celebrity Roast and I studied every clip of all those Roast and 25 Roast later
it has been a great ride!
.
Mr. Rickles from you I learned to be funny without ever cussing being vulgar and if I dId become tenacious, still going for the throat to take someone down verbally,
It was always a fact I was entertainer, not racial , not predious , just funny you were smart ,extremely humble and a role model for anybody that wanted to be your kind of funny ,,yes you will live forever and in my mind and I thank you and cherish the moments you gave us .
Don Rickles R.I.P
A loyal fan
Professor Gary Lee
Founder
Sport Karate Museum Archives
https://youtu.be/ZblPwNLH6hg?list=RDv-oItsU_l4c
Tonight at a gathering some of my Black Belts asked me how many?
I came back and asked How many what ,,,lol
They said,,,, Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductions and nominations?
and I said
“ALWAYS REMEMBER ,,,,IT IS NOT THE AWARD ,NOR THE NOMINATION ,IT IS THE THOUGHT OF SOMEONE OR GROUP APPRECIATING YOUR WORK IN THE INDUSTRY and SPORT .
Work hard and you will be bless,,Osu
I have never paid for any of these great honors and moments and stood my ground on the pay for fame thing going on in American martial arts even my expenses have been taken care at most of the events and each producer one by one is special in their own way,too,,,Osu
Very Honored , lucky Hawaii Boi
Professor Gary Lee ***Hawaiian Martial Arts
Who’s Who in the Martial Arts 1st edition 1982
Who’s Who in the Martial Arts 2nd edition
Okinawan Kobujutsu Association & Martial Arts Federation.
Historian Award
Nominated 1997 “Competitor of the Year
Black Belt Magazine
NBL Texas Hall of Fame
AOK “Golden Greek” MVP Hall of Fame
World Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame
Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Nominated 1998 “Man of the Year
Black Belt Magazine
Hawaiian Martial Arts Hall of Fame
AFKA Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Masters Hall of Fame
Karate Masters Hall of Fame
International Black Belt Hall of Fame
Black Dragon Fighting Society “The Gate Keeper Award”
Kumite Hall of Fame Scholarship fund
United States Black Belt Hall of Fame Historian Award
International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society
Honor Roll
Martial Arts USA Alliance Hall of Fame
All Pro Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame
Who’s Who in the Martial Arts 2016 edition
AMAA Who’s Who Living Legends Award
Four Seasons Samurai Hall of Fame
Kenpo International Black Belt Hall of Fame
Who’s Who in the Martial Arts 2017 edition
Revisited —Building the Sport Karate Museum ,one mile at a time,,,,
A two week “Old School Road Trip ” visiting 10 cities and over 25 martial art studios teaching Tae Kwon Do to Shotokan and stuff I never heard of , that’s OK ,
I have learned that this is a new era and many people teach many things ,however it is still a muddy glass of water in some of the studios I visited, some schools did not Kia!!! , said it was a waste of time and energy, I left that studio fast, lol
Then another studio I visited was just point karate INSTRUCTION ,no foundation ,just trained for tournaments ,a trophy mongul,,lol, Then all those MMA schools charging $160.00 to $200.00 a month ,it’s crazy!
I did get rejuvenated visiting Grand Master James Toney R.I.P and his wife Connie ,what was a suppose to be a short pick up of something special for the Sport Karate Museum ,turn out to be a six hour visit down memory lane and the Special gift ” the first protege Safety Gear Jhoon Rhee gave to the karate schools to test market BACK IN THE 70’S ,it looks like a coffee cup with holes in it”,, he signed it and I was off to Sherman Texas to hang out with Rick Arnold , World Champion Troy Dorsey ,Mike Ashwood and Youth Minister Brian Ulch to share “Champion’s Day “, after cutting many cucumbers, zucchini ,bananas and breaking two -ply toilet paper with my new buddy Grayson .
I fished the Arnold’s stock pond with the girls and Colton and caught 12 Bass ,,,cool ,
Then a COOL PHONE CALL !!
Century Fitness my longtime Sponsor from the beginning in 1999 called and they would like the Sport Karate Museum to have a booth this year at the SUPER SHOW!
Jim Harrison representing the 60’s, Jim Butin representing the 70’s, Keith Vitali representing the 70’s and 80’s and myself representing the 70’s 80’s and 90’s and World Champion Eric Loveless will represent the Sport Karate Museum Non Profit at the SUPER SHOW in Las Vegas ,July 1-3
Then I was off to Fort Worth, Texas to drop off Living Legends Roast Tickets with Jamie Cashion and the Wiltfong brothers , had a special Okinawa Karate Class with my sister school ,taught a Sword class to my private students David Collins and Jason Wigley , then off to Lake Fork , Lake Ray Roberts and Big Sam Rayburn to pre – fish for upcoming tournaments , after wards hooked up with Huntsville School of Karate Animal Jerry Nuiez to sell a Living Legend Roast Table too, also stopped by our sponsor for Scott Messina’s Super Roast “Tokyo Grill” Great Sushi and Sake !!
Got refreshed again seeing my “old school” buddy and fight partner Curtis Bodiford from Toshido Karate , he was a Animal but today he was working the Micro Super Peewees, they were three and under ,maybe pushing four , it was great to see him being abused by those micro animals, osu ,, we had some great wars back in the 80’s ,in closing I miss the communication on the computer ,however I enjoyed not banging on that plastic addictive keyboard for two weeks “Old School Road Trip”,,Osu
The 14.10 Big Bass Black and Blue Stanley Jig No.11 Pork Frog Experience at Brazos River State Park
The park opened in late 1986 in the outskirts of Damon ,Texas about fifty miles south of Houston ,Texas .I t was originally four Duck Ponds feeding from the Brazos River that turn out to be some good size little Texas lakes .
Mr Hale who owned them sold the lakes and surrounding land to the state and the state sat on the property for twenty years developing the property to be the park it is today.
Horse Shoe Lake ,Little Horse Shoe ,Elm Lake and Forty Acre Lake, this story takes place in 1987 and at Forty Acre Lake.
First of all as a Bassaholic , totally addicted to chasing and finding big Bass Brazos Bend State Was a honey hole , twenty years the fish have been growing and growing and there was man made shelves and levees and cars sunk , ditches dug out though channels , drop offs , deep holes in the middle of parts of the lakes,,,,how did I learn all this ?
The Game Warden son was taking Karate and we started talking and then he introduced me to the Park Manager , took him to dinner and the questions I asked told me that this was heavens Hole and no body had fished it hard yet .
It was full of brush,logs,sticks and Hydrilla that covered a lot of the area ,however the the most dangerous bass fishing was done in those lakes because they were full of Alligators , Big Alligators and they were naturally Natures Beast , very scary and the first time I had to deal with a predator while fishing , everything was bank fishing because the Gators were so big ,the park had not learn to control them yet , they were everywhere .
One evening at dusk I was pitching my last jig of the day and I went to the pier at Forty Acre Lake where I had caught five and six pounders all day, dazed off and fell asleep ,I was out for a while ,it was dark and was suddenly woke up with a grunting and snarling sound coming from the front of pier .
I got my halogen super flashlight and looked down and there was a fifteen foot Alligator trying to eat my Yellow Bait Can Bucket , I then shined the Flashlight in front of me in front of the pier across the lake of Forty Acre and there were hundreds of red eyes in the water ,it was a nigtmare for I am sure they were eyeing dinner on the pier I was lucky I woke up !
Well now you know the atmosphere a Honey Hole ,untouched by the weekend fisherman or beginner ,however lots of visitors ,lots of noise, campers ,bicycles, dogs , lots of noise, not good for the type of stealth bass fishing that I wanted to do and the the pitching and flipping in heavy brush techniques that I know would find the Big Bass that no one realized were there.
I would fish early morning before all the campers would get up and visitors would invade the the park, it was hog heaven pretty consistently and then a few weeks before the BIG ONE hit I found a interesting spot on the topographical maps of the lake I had got from the Park Manager , it was on the other side of Forty Acre called and named “Bass Alley” after witnesses saw me catch and release over fifty bass in a early morning visit , so I went to other of the lake . it was quite a hike though the woods , however you do what you do to search , find and catch those huge ones that know body ever sees but just talks about how it got away , not this lunker destroyer, not this break your arm setting the hook animal, not this Bassaholic!
When I finally arrived ,it was a stretch of water that had three separate land levees with a three foot wide ditch leading to the main lake and brush was everywhere and I counted twelve gators within striking range when I would land a fish on the bank I would be chasing the fish ,running from the gator..lol
I was mainly fishing three Kistler rods with Shimano Bait casting reels with fourteen and seventeen pound test line for flipping the purple glitter culprit worm and Louisianan white buzz bait made for me by a old coon ass friend of mine from the swamps in Morgon City ,Louisiana and then of course twenty pound for flipping the Stanley half ounce Black and Blue Jig with a No.11 Black /Blue Pork Frog as a trailer dipped in Sparkle Scales Fish Formula.
I realized looking at the secret weapon I had , the map, that the land levees were the dirt years ago they had dug out to make this part of the lake deep , over forty feet in some places I found on the map , this is where they sunk some cars and laid structure , the state had a plan I guess all I knew and felt these Bass have been growing and brewing spawning each year in this cove and the right time of year I may have the opportunity to land Muay Grande I’m thinking and dreaming.
It was incredible,, big Fish after big fish ranging from five to eight pounds and no body was around ,it was a .bass fishing dream come true.
These fish had never seen artificial baits and it was magic , I could not wait to just go after that one ,,,BIG ONE
Then something that happen that changed everything
They would closed the park for a month for the Deer Hunters to hunt on the parks State property with permits , that was cool , however all I could think about for one solid month was ,no activity , no campers , no noise , back to being back in the woods of Texas.
I wanted to be the first at the park when they open and I know where I am hiking to , exact spot , exact bait ,I could not wait.
The Deer hunt is over and I book a camp site the first day back ,as I was going down the the man made bike trail ,I knew I had the edge of being the first person chasing Bass after a month of pure quietness, boy Was I wrong ,in the distance I saw him coming ,he was riding a bike and he had a stringer of Bass ,big bass over his shoulder as he went by he smiled and screamed “If I stopped now I will not make it up the hill ,,,good luck!!!”
I counted Five Fish and they were five or six pounds each ,easily.
I had someone outsmart me ,however I did not see that BIG ONE on his shoulder
Now first of all a Bike could not go where I was going and I knew the that big was there, I could feel it ,hard core walk in the woods Texas bass fishing .
When I arrived finally , the corner of my eye caught the swirl of her tail under neath the hanging tree branch , dragon flys were falling from the trees ,fish were feeding and then I saw her , a huge female Texas Bass
She was BIG , real BIG , I picked up the flipping rig /Jig with the twenty pound test and flipped over the water on the other side of bank where I saw the Swirl , First, very slow naturally pull it slowly in the water off the bank and the she it engulf the Jig , the first action of the day it was just barley daylight , thank goodness no gators , none I could see anyway .
She was the biggest bite I have ever felt Big and strong and I did not want to lose this fish, everything was against me the wood , logs , the gators , the brush , how ever if I set the hook solid she is not going anywhere .
It took about twenty minutes to land and I called the office ,talked with the park Ranger and told him where I was at and he came , measured and weigh the fish 14.10 pound Lunker ,a record that lasted about two weeks.
The funny ending to the story is a couple of weeks after I had the BIG fish adventure and the tens and 14.10 Fish were caught a article in the Houston Post was published and said ‘Brazos Bend had been Shocked to see the size and quality of fish in the different lakes and they were a variety of fish , bream , sunfish , catfish , Gar , Grenlin Florida Strain Black Bass and Texas Bass , however nothing was shocked up over six pounds,,,,,,WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went out and talked with some workers and showed them the Houston Post article and they said” It was the best decision Gary, this place is packed anyway , every day ,every week ,every weekend and if it got out those big bass were here and those huge catfish in Elm Lake and what about the 240 pound Gar that was landed in Horseshoe Lake , the Alligators , people don’t respect nature , nature will kick your Butt , heck we have reports of three missing dogs last month.
We have to go out in the pontoon boat at Forty Acre Lake and scare the gators with beating the water and loud noises so they will keep away from the tourists who just don’t understand if a Gator is Mating ,have babies or protecting her nest she is VERY AGGRESSIVE!
We don’t want people to find out the hard way ,,,Our secret ”
It was easy letting her go back to the nature of life and thanks to Blair the on site Ranger who came out to measure and record the fish when word got out this park was flooded with pros and amateurs all chasing the dream , my honey hole was gone and every now and then I drive out there , I go out and watch people fish and wonder if they see any Alligators or catching fish
Professor Gary Lee
1987 Texas B.A.S.S Federation Champion
‘”The Dock Buster”
Sponsored by
Denver Marine
Ranger Boats
Rage Tail
Worden Lures
Kistler Rods
Vortex
Fish Formula
Yamagata Hooks from Japan
The Legend of “The Dock Buster ”
1987 TEXAS B.A.S.S Federation Champion
In 1982 I was picked up by All Star Rods with eleven Rods and two Flippin Rods ,Hats Jacket , patches and decals for my Ranger and I thought I was at top of the world and now with Ranger, Fish Formula, Worden Lures , Vortex , Stanley Baits and some hard bait companies to my credit I am ready to FISH tournaments for some checks , pass polygraphs and get to the next tournament however it;s all about patterns and how smart you and how you calculate finding ,catching and landing fish and self discipline on the water.
It has always been 60% luck and 40% knowing everything to get you on the water safe and accurate, sharpen your hooks and ready for ‘Murphy’s Law” to be ready for that next event
The early years I would record everything ,write everything down , every seminar , Get guides in a corner like Billy Mills , Larry Nixon , Tommy Martin ,Wayne Whitehead, Butch Terpe and John Karsnack to name a few hard core BASS guides on Lake Conroe., Texas
I was the first to sign up at the Bass College at the University of Houston and I would practice every Thursday night at the 105 Marina Three -Hour 6;00 PM TO 6;00 pm Thursday Night Tournaments and every tournament on Lake Conroe ,Texas and from 1979 though 1996 ,winning and earning checks from all the BIG Bass Tournaments including The Miller Light $125,000 event , The Fox Channel BIG Bass Event , Anglers Choice, The Budweiser Cadillac Classic Bass Championships , The B.A.S.S 1st TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS ,The Loch Ness SUNDAY Tournaments , The Del Lago Week end Bass Tournaments every month and any event I could enter.
I had a great boat sponsor in Houston, Texas ,Mr. Jerry Patterson who owned Pier 45 Marine ,he was the local Ranger Dealer.
In 1987 I was fishing the Budweiser Classic $10,000 Cash prize plus a brand new Champion Bass Boat out of Del Lago Marina and that is where “The Dock Buster” legacy was born .
BIG BASS Tournament, You can weigh in one fish per hour ,the biggest $500 down to $100 fifth place ,then the biggest fish is put in the over all weigh in for the BIG MONEY $10,000 PLUS a BIG BASS OVERALL BONUS of $1,000 .plus the Bass Boat
First place could win over $20,500 plus Bass Boat in cash and prizes for a eight hour day of work on the water.
No partner , you , water , Boat and Fish , no pressure ,right,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I had pre fished for a month ahead and found a row of docks on the north side of 1097 where owners would plant and tie Christmas trees around their docks for their grand kids could catch Panfish , Bream and Catfish for their annual gathering.
I chatted with the owners and they had a worm farm in every yard just for the kids to fish with on these docks they doctored up!
What they didn’t realized was all those trees together draw SHAD and SHAD will lure BIG BASS into that area for cover and food ,,Hog Heaven !!!!
There were nine houses on the lake together with docks ,some were bigger ,some were small and long , however the owners had tied every stud with a Christmas Tree and planted brush all out in front of each dock .
I was lucky to have stumbled on this ,took pictures and recorded everything and told no one.
The week before the Classic it rained all week and everything was flooded , nothing looked the same
The Creek and bridge was higher than normal and I could not pass under the bridge leading me to my docks , so Ifilled my boat with water to make it a bit lower ,laid down and pulled my way under the bridge , the webs , spiders and snakes was not impressed with my logic ,however Ipulled my way though the high water
I knew where each brush pile was and which dock had the most trees for I had pictures of the two weeks before the rain ,so matter what I knew where to Pitch and Flip
It was a thirty minute run across the lake and this is what I had to calculate to make weigh in on time.
I had in my live well when I docked my boat I had a decent early morning
All on Shimano Bait Cast reel , Berkeley 20 pound test braided line ,a Black Blue Stanley Jig , No. 11 Pork Frog ,dipped in Fish Formula Sparkle Scales , pitched next to the trees and under the docks way back , skipping the jig
9: 00 AM
Weight 4 pounds , 3rd $300
10:00 AM
Weight 5 pounds 5th,$100
11:00 AM
Weight 11.10 pounds 1st , $10,000 plus
It was a random Polo graph and I had drew the chip ,so I go in the trailer and the Game Warden ,Producers and Budweiser executives are there .
I get strapped up and the questions start
Do you have Fishing License ?
Was your Kill -Switch on ?
Did you catch the Fish during the tournament times ?
Did you have the Life Vest on when the motor is running ?
Did you used live bait?
Is your name Gary Lee ?
And the $10.000 question , Were you on the water pass or before the time schedule for the rules ?
and I answered “Yes sir ” the last day of practice my Big Motor died and I had to troll in the marina and did not get off the water till 6:15 pm,fifteen minutes past the time time limit .
There was a hesitance ,then the question he asked me that showed my character as a honest person in the Bass fishing circuit
“Mr. Lee was your Sonar Graph on during this time ?
I answered “Yes”
They all left the Trailer and walked outside ,it was the longest fifteen minutes of my life .
When they walked in ,they all looked depressed except for me , I was just plain scared !!
The producer said “Mr. Lee ,we have a choice ,or I mean you have a choice because you said you were on the water fifteen minutes past time level and your Sonar Graph was on ,who says if someone saw you that you were not looking for fish.
We deeply appreciate your honesty , however ,,,,,,,,,,,,
We either have to disqualify you for this event and you lose all weight and chances of winning or disqualify you for the circuit and the Classic at the end of year!
We checked and your in the TOP TEN for the Championship , ,,,,,,,,,
What do you want to do ?
It was hard ,,,,I ate the dirt on the Budweiser event because I had spent a lot of time ,funding and sponsorship to get to the Classic Championship,,that was my decision!
The Final Weigh in was at 4:00 pm and the largest Bass was nine Pounds ,I would have won it all , however telling the truth is always the best thing to do and knowing you did the right decision besides I can go any where on the lake today ,almost any marina and Bass Guides will buy me a drink or lunch and say real LOUD and laugh “Gary Lee is the Dock Buster and the only guy to lose $10,000 telling a fish story, not a lie but the truth .
Whispers of the Bass Whisperer
The Dock Buster”
1987 Texas B.A.S.S Federation Champion
Staff Writer
ODU Magazine
Press Release just out ,
Thank you ‘Spidey”Stephan Morris
Professor Gary Lee ,,,,,,,,
Founder of the Sport Karate Museum Archives is a Main force in the martial arts community and a no nonsense attitude toward Sport Karate history reputation add with (35) thirty five years of Six Flags Amusement Parks under his belt as a lead actor ,Stuntman and Director of Martial Art shows and adventures ,The Texas Karate All Star Show,The Hollywood Stunt Show ,The Batman Show ,The Wild West Show ,The Police Academy Show and he was a Muppet ,his charactor ‘Sleezy in the Land of Gork on the first seasons of SNL for Jim Henson R.I.P
https://youtu.be/uW_7omoDzPc
He set the standard for live performances using martial arts
A member and Alumni of sixteen Black Belt Hall of Fame organizations he has competed all around the world .
Karate Masters, Masters , USA Alliance, NBL, AOK Golden Greek ,All Pro Tae Kwon Do Hall of Fame just to name a few.
His weekly Live AMAA Masters Radio Show “Parts Unknown” “Interviews the Best of Best and digs in to ask the “Hard”questions for the listeners.
A frequent writer for many publications Professor Gary Lee continues to work toward the Sport Karate Museum main goal
,,Protecting the History ,One Warrior at a Time ,,www.sportkaratemuseum.org
THE TOURNAMENTS OF OLD
MIKE STONE
In the old days it was great – wild, free, and fun
When guts and heart were part, and no one thought to run
Matches were fast and furious especially against a friend
Neither fighter dared back down, until beyond the end
I went out there and did the best that I could do
It may have come across arrogant and conceited too
But that was never my intention, so focused was I to win
The thought of losing to anyone was for me a cardinal sin.
Friendships waited outside the ring, but respect always remained.
Once the match was over, only bloody gis were stained.
For so few took it personally when they lost a match.
They knew another chance would come for that golden ring to catch
The fighter shared a feeling, a belief no one spoke in words,
It had to do with testing oneself, definitely not for nerds.
We fought the very best we could it was a matter of pride
Losing was never the issue, what mattered was that you tried.
The after tournament parties were something to behold,
There were even tougher than some matches I was told
It was like the old west, with women, booze, and fights.
Tearing up hotel rooms, breaking furniture, and lights.
Although I never took part in shenanigans like that .
I preferred to do my fighting in the ring and on the mat
In thinking back to those days and the great times I’ve had.
I recall only fond memories and for this I am glad
I feel so fortunate to have been a part of that golden age,
But never once regretted bowing out of center stage.
The thought which brings a smile to me whenever I think back
Are the lasting friendships, not the trophies on the rack
For when I see an old timer, I feel warm inside
Knowing we both shared a magic carpet ride.
This poem was written by the great Mike Stone. Who better to put into words that wonderful feeling we get seeing old friends that shared in this powerful time. Mike Stone not only set the bar in our sport but created opportunities for us to compete with the best in the world. Mike Stone made our sport better and while many of us can never duplicate his fighting record we can all assume the responsibility to help make our sport better that we found it.
The Halloween Show
Controversial , Horribly wrong or True ,,,Believe it or Not
Conservation’s and Stories of
Jim Harrison/ Victor Moore Challenge Match
Joe Lewis /Ed Daniel Texas Match
Ernie “Radar “Smith confronts Bo Kong
Mikie Rowe Moore “Toughest lady in Sport Karate ”
‘”The $50.00 KATA Check
Side Kicks “The Movie”
The Korean Uniform
100’s of Martial Arts Hall of Fame”s
Houston’s First Fight Club
The Legacy of Linda Denley
“Little Japanese Guy”
“Breaking Makiwara Boards ”
More Fun than a Black Belt Should have !
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theamaa-martialartsshow/2017/11/01/amaa-martial-arts-masters-radio-show–special-guest-aj-perry
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
When I (Kevin Conan Bankens was young boy about 14 years old me, my dad (Rodney Bankens)
and a fellow student of mine John Fontenot (R.I.P) traveled to Houston Texas for a very large international tournament of Karate.
We walk in and omg it was One of the most intimidating things I had ever seen or done as a young boy. I was actually terrified.
But neither one of us we’re going to back out of the fighting.
We went into the changing room and I remember this very strong looking gentleman in there and we struck up a conversation asking questions him about what we needed to do.
He took a lot of time walking us through and talking to us and giving us tips about what we needed to do that day. He also had us hold boards for him during his amazing Kata that day. This gentleman went on to win the entire tournament in his division that day. Fighting, Kata and Weapons. I and John were in awww watch him.
Unknowing to me and my friend this man was a great champion of that time. I remember when I left the tournament that day how he had left such an amazing impression on me.
Down through the years I never forgot him. But I had no way of knowing or remembering his name or who he was. Back in those days we had no Internet and no real way to search for people.
One day I was speaking to one of my long time sensei’s Brent Fabacher and he said the man you are speaking of sounds like Professor Gary Lee.
(This was just a few years ago). I went on the Internet and sure enough it was Professor Gary Lee.
That was almost 30 yrs ago.
I have had a chance to go down personally and thank him for all of his wisdom, knowledge and his great inspiration on my life all these years. So I would like to say publicly thank You Professor Lee for being such an inspiration to so many men, women and children. We love you very much, Sir.
Please watch the video below.
Wisdom, Honor and Respect that is Professor Lee.
Look forward to seeing you soon Professor.
Oss
I love you Leanna , you are in my heart dear ,,,
Aloha
I have been sitting in front of my computer for four hours and I know I must write something , respond to everyone that has been calling , texting and I just did know what to say ,
I am in deep thought and very sad in my heart,,,,
so I will a share a Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen story,,,,,,
The night before his Junior Black Belt All Star Roast ,he called me and said “Mr. Lee , you know every since Six Flags in the eighties you have believed in me and you told me I would not be little forever and sport karate was in my blood ,
I have remembered what you said to me all those years of performances , though my kids , my wife ,my mom and dad
You told me to Liston to Mr. Alvarado it all came true,,
and now my friends and family are celebrating my career tomorrow night , Thank you ,
I love you Mr. Lee I know we never have talked about our faith but would you let me pray with you ?
I was very emotional and we got on our knees in that Hilton Hotel room and thank the lord for what we have received, friends martial arts family and our family we have created.
We prayed for Troy, Raymond,Tim, Carl , Rudy and a few others
I remember exactly word for word for that night Rooster and I, two of the craziest wild guys in sport karate realized there is a higher power that guides things and we bonded in a very special way, can’t really explain it ,,,,,,,
I Believe …
https://youtu.be/X5z-jjWyAJQ
I will miss you and think of you my friend ,,,,
My Ohana Bradda
Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen R.I.P
1st Junior American National Black Belt Karate Champion
History General of the Sport Karate Museum
Black Belt Hall of Fame
1st Golden Greek winner 1981
Love
Aloha
Gary Lee
Rooster and Company
The Six Flag Astroworld Performances
Gary Lee’s Texas Karate All -Star Karate Shows ,early 80’s
The very first Karate professional performances at Six Flags .
Brian Duffy, Chico Goldman, Steve Sosa,Brad, Chris Bennett, not sure , Tim Kirby, Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen
How did we do it?
I don’t know ,,,but this picture says it all ,
We made history those years and Rooster was the youngest of the group of Texas Stars , maybe Chris Bennett was near Roosters age .
When Rooster would walk in a room he would light up the room with his charisma and Texas swag.
At the first audition when he met Mr. Bob Logan the director of the Entertainment department of Six Flags.
Rooster walked up to him and said only the way Rooster did!!
”’Whoooooooooo!, we won’t let you down , Mr. Lee wants us to perform , we are here to perform , you ain’t seen nuthing yet , you wait , WE ARE READY ,,,get your camera out ,we going to put on a show!”
His enthusiasm and special Rooster Flair was just what the show needed , the rest is history
Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen R.I.P
One more story for the magazine I am writing for
Rooster Memories
1979 , Houston ,Texas was raw as a handful of Karate studios legacies building , the Choi’s, the Chen’s,the Van Binh’s, the Young Brothers , Kim Soo and Black Belt Academy and then the Ronin’s like myself ,adoptive by everyone .
One of the first ever Super Mall Demonstrations in Houston I had the vision to set up was at the grand opening of Memorial City Mall at the time the largest in Houston , Texas
I invited everyone to perform around that was doing sport karate and I wanted a Teenage Black Belt SUPER FIGHT on stage for the public.
I chose Jeff McRae R.I.P from George Minshew’s Black Belt Academy and Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen R.I.P from Joe Alvarado’s Soryu Karate.from Austin , Texas
I called the parents to get permission and Mr. and Mrs Machen R.I.P would drive from Austin to let Rooster perform all those years.
The beginning of the match Rooster came up to me and said “Mr Lee Are we going to be able to git it ,you know !!!,, put in in gear like we normally do at tournaments or we got to hold back ?
I looked at the the five foot high off the floor stage and said “Rooster ,fight hard but please be careful!!!
The first minute was cool, back and forth , a hit there , a kick and then Rooster did that patented Jump Spin Back Kick and knocked Jeff almost off stage ,it was pretty darn hard !
Jeff came back and blitzed Rooster off the stage and I don’t know how he did it, Rooster landed on his feet , jumped back on stage and acted like nothing happen and put on a show !
The Crowd went wild!
It was wall to wall people with radio , television and news reporters ,in fact because of the excitement of that fight the Fire Marshall came in and shut everything down because no one could get into the stores around the mall and stage area .
Six Flags came next
Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen R.I.P, Animal
The day I was saved by Grand Master Jhoon Rhee
‘The Father of Tae Kwon Do in America”
When Grand Master Rhee heard of my endeavor with the Museum of Sport Karate almost 20 years ago ,he sent me personal autograph pictures of Himself, Bruce Lee, Allen Steen, Jeff W.Smith and his statements and articles he has bless us with over the years,
He signed a personal note blessing the project.
But it goes much deeper!
Super Grands, Hollywood Ca, 1994, I am Back stage ,and I am the master of ceremonies for SUPER GRANDS and I am with Scott Hogarth from Canada.
All of sudden
There is a small disturbance by the back curtain and I recognize who it was !
A special surprise visitor appeared,,,,
The security guard would not let Grand Master Rhee behind the curtain , the sercurity guard was being rude ,very rude and he had no idea who Grand Master Rhee was.
I got up and asked the security guard to let him though , he got rude even more and then he ,grabbed my shoulder without hesitation I locked my arm around him and I dropped him , I did not hit him ,,,just swept him to the ground and embaressed him a little bit,,,, .
I took Grand Master Rhee’s hand and arm and walked him to the back stage.
.
As we were walking
I shared with him , I was in so much trouble with Boice Lydell, the producer because I had just took out one of his sercurity guards.
Then Grand Master Rhee said Garysan my little friend,,,,,,,
“I will go on stage and share a couple of stories and take care of it” ,
“Trust Me Garysan”
,
He did more than share and save my hide with Boice, lol
He performed 100 push ups in one mintue demostration, the side kick out to the side of body and water on the head perfectly balanced demostration and then he blessed the Tournament,
The Day I was saved by Grand Master Jhoon Rhee,,
A great Man !
Osu
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
When in trouble a martial artist should always remember to just SING,
Solor Plexus, Instep,Nose ,Groin, in Harmony ,,,,,,,,,,
Defend with your basic Okinawan Karate block thinking like a upper block but in your mind it is you wing deflecting the attack from a White Crane, then from the horse
movement and attitude ,
You go into a attitude of surviving ,and life comes to mind
Low horse stance, extremely low and stomp his instep with a belligerent KIA!!,
Which is my secret weapon ,spring up from the low horse stance and explode now with back fist to his nose,
from straight from makiwara training and practicing 1000’s of punches ,
Hammer fist, Koken, Phoenix eye, shuto ,ridge hand and back fist strikes on a day to day based schedule ,then dropped back down to the low horse stance and hammer fist the Groin,
Think of yourself not only the master of teaching students the art of point and circle of Karate Do but share with them the animal instincts of survival from the Animals,
The Crane , the Snake, the Monkey, the Horse and our imaginary friend ,which by the way is the most powerful,
The Dragon
He symbolizes your mindset to the confrontation, just SING,,,,
Osu
Professor Gary Lee
Sport Karate Museum
Special Guest History Generals Dr..Keith D. Yates and Sifu Karen Schlachter talk about America’s History in the Martial Arts .
Where it’s been , where it is at and where it is going!
The Beginning of the Sport Karate Museum
Who invented the Sport Karate Museum Logo?
Why have History Generals and who are they?
Why is it important to remember and protect the History of Sport Karate.
The Death of Groin Kicks in Texas !
The Living Legends Mikie Rowe Moore Celebrity Roast
KATA WARS Open Tournament
Introducing “Tag Team” Black Belt Point Fighting !
The Battle of the Sexes KATA WARS
The NEW Sport Karate History Video Game for Play Station and XbOX
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theamaa-martialartsshow/2018/01/31/amaa-martial-arts-masters-radio-with-prof-gary-lee-guest-drkeith-d-yates#
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
www,sportkaratemuseum.org
More fun than a Black Belt shoud have,,,,Osu
I need Land , building and funding and each year for this project ,every day I bust my head building this History project
I am tired but God has given me a mission and Iwill pursue it ,,,kinda like Noah , sir
The odds were against my vision ,however the army I have created are the pioneers and historians of sport karate in America.
I need your help ,if you can send me in the right direction as you put in your letter.
Thank you for your response
I have sent this to you and to one of my History Generals who mentors my decisions and helps me all these years with making plans for others . Mr. Steve Parks
Protecting the History,One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseum.org
Professor Gary Lee 9th Dan,
Founder of The Sport Karate Museum, has Graciously excepted the award of ‘The Life Time Membership Award’, for his tireless work he has undertaken on forming this Sport Karate Museum in Preserving the History of Martial Arts in America.
The accodales of your fellow American Martial Artists say’s it all
The Award is presented for long and dedicated service to preserving the history of Martial Arts, from The Traditional Okinawan Kobujutsu Association & Martial Arts Federation.
Recognized by the International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society
Honor Roll
Hall of Fame
Historian of the Year
2010
International Director
The Traditional Okinawan Kobujutsu Association & Martial Arts Federation (TOKAMAF), for USA/TEXAS
Welcome to the Official Site of The Sport Karate Museum ™
The History of Traditional Karate Pioneers, Legends and Champions in the 20th Century.™
We are is losing an entire generation of fine Black Belts, men who laid the foundation for, and developed the strongest system of martial arts in the world. The passing of each saddens me greatly. .
I suggest that you seek out, and talk with as many from that generation as possible. When they pass, there will never be the likes of them again. Never.
Our Sport Karate Museum relies on Donations of your generosity to keep the Office, On-Line Museum and Living Legends Roast in the public, we appreciate all that you would do to keep the History alive!
There is a legend of ancient Greek history that is told of a huge hall the size of three football fields with knowledge of some of the greatest minds to ever walk the earth. Through the years it was destroyed by time, earth and disrespect . It had recorded the progress of these great minds and now it is almost completely gone!
The History Sport Karate has not been recorded yet!!
We are just now catching up to what was past tense to them. How much farther could we be ahead if we take care of it now?
Professor Gary Lee, Ju-Dan
Founder and Karate Historian
A Statement from Sid Campbell, an American Sport Karate Pioneer
Aloha and welcome,
The Sport Martial Arts Museum Organization under the guidance of founder Professor Gary Lee is a major step forward in preserving the past, unifying the present and strengthening the future of the sporting aspects of our art. It is also the official home of the history, traditions and accomplishments of great martial artists that pioneered the way in bringing these exciting sport-oriented martial traditions to the United States and spreading it throughout the western world.
What we see today in the vast expanse where the martial arts have entrenched itself in American’s culture and social fabric is a plethora of positive human qualities that was spawned by the martial arts sport movement. Through venues like karate tournaments, major action-adventure motion picture productions, professionally sanctioned televised events, martial arts schools, law enforce ment agency defense tactics curriculums, Internet connectivity, seminars, magazine publishers, equipment supply companies, instructional books, educational DVDs, video arcade games, etc. — can all, in one way or another, trace its roots back to the sport martial arts competitors of the early 1960s when the Asian martial traditions were being introduced to the world. More specifically, it was the martial arts competitors, tournament producers and the fans of that bygone era that we today call the “golden age” of karate in America is of where this expansive and phenomenal growth evolved from in the first place.
Being fortunate enough to be one of the first Americans to teach Okinawan karate in the United States and western world during karate’s “golden age” of the 60s, I was blessed to be a part this cultural evolution. To be a small part of this dedicated cadre of this movement which now touts tens of millions of practitioners on a global scale still humbles me beyond the scope of words alone.
In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined that the martial disciplines like karate, kung-fu (gung-fu), judo, jujitsu, ninjitsu, tae kwon do, kempo, escrima, kendo, aikido, iaido, kali, capoeira, savate, sambo, kobudo, pankration, bugei, wushu, mixed martial arts and eclectic martial arts would have reached that level of popularity in the past forty some odd years. And, to see the art I love so much endure these sometimes tumultuous times and undergo so many innovative changes along the way while still retaining the quintessential essence of its original purpose and traditional values is truly astounding. Perhaps what is just incredible about this form of physical expression that emphasizes moral and ethical values is that it has helped develop some of the finest human beings that these past four decades of growth can produce. I must attribute this, at least in part, to the exceptional martial arts educators that have dedicated their life and energy to elevating the spirit of the warrior and teaching the arts that has been a way of life for a select few for the past fifteen hundred years.
The Sport Martial Arts Museum was created and founded on the premise that the efforts, dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm of these early practitioners would be preserved and passed forth for posterity sake. A noble cause in deed when we stop to think that many future generations will know who was responsible for this phenomenal growth and worldwide popularity from a sport perspective. Again, I must reiterate that this worthy endeavor to document, archive and house the sporting aspects of these myriad of martial disciplines that were, in part, responsible for this global popularity of the martial arts is the righteous and just action to take so that future generations will be able to share in the excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie that was unwittingly nurtured in karate’s “golden age” of karate in America. And, as with any endeavor that attracts the interest of millions of avid devotees, preserving the past, unifying the present and strengthening the future needs a strong foundation to insure existence. I believe Professor Gary Lee has set the cornerstone in place through his unceasing efforts and true love for the martial disciplines to guide this endeavor into the future. His insightful perception will undoubtedly insure that the sports aspects of the martial arts will be preserved and passed forward for many, many generations to come. For that, we will all be deeply indebted.
As you visit the Five House you will step back in time to when America and the western world was embracing the cultural traditions of Asia and forming an international bond that is stronger today because of his many years of hard work. Essentially Professor Gary Lee has captured time in a bottle so that others can share these moments and drink from that same fountain of knowledge that America’s karate pioneers enjoyed from its introduction in 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona.
With great respect and Aloha,
Malama pono,
Sid Ka’imi Campbell
10th dan, hanshi, kaicho
Founder, the World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Association (WOSKKA)
Our museum’s vision is a story that unfolds before the eyes and senses of ones self, a mystery, a fable, so many stories to be told. an authentic history of sport martial arts and relics, uniforms, belts and documents of the glorious past forty years of a sport that is long overdue on statistics and history.1946-1999.
The adventure of the Sport Karate Museum™!
The detail must be authentic to the culture that you stand in.
The Five main houses are
House of Japan
House of Okinawa
House of China
House of Korea
House of America
The memory of our past sport martial arts leaders are priceless and we are going to build a home for their memories. Imagine a bust of the past leader in bronze or silver detailed to his authentic look and style.
Click on a button, A hologram will appear maybe a lady of fame or maybe just a spoke person.
They start talking, going in detail who, what, when and where this person is famous for his legacy men like, Mas Oyama, Don Nagle, Robert Trias, Ed Parker, Sid Campbell, Ken Eubanks, Moses Powell, Pat Morita, Glen Rabago, Professor Visitacion, Peter Urban, John Kuhl, Al Weiss, Howard Jackson, Ken Knudson, Stuart Quan and all others we have lost who gave their life to Sport Karate and the martial arts.
Exhibiting the founding members first and the living legends second, we will create the streets of adventure laid out such as Chuck Norris Ave. runs into Bill Wallace circle but you have cross Mike Stone Blvd. first, making it into a maze of educational, inspirational and entertaining fun –Aa community within the website teaching you the History of Sport Karate In America/The Golden Age (1968-1986) of your favorite Celebrities, Super Stars and Rising Stars!
A history of sport karate/martial arts in photographs, books, videos, articles, magazines, newspapers and special relics of the past sign diplomas of famous sport karate heroes and champions. You’ll get to see up close old belts from all styles from retired and past legends . . . awards, autographs, rare and one of a kind certificates, patches, decals, rings, old papers and ancient documents, ancient and modern weapons from the five houses, uniforms and never seen before by the general public — which can only be seen here at the Sport Karate Museum.
This is a major project.
It will take a team of avid martial artist teachers and their devoted students and other experts to make this dream a reality.
We need your help in the unification of this huge undertaking for the respect of the past and the teaching of the present so future generations can learn their origins and pass the knowledge on to others who see it.
A special thank you to Robert Young and Black Belt Magazine .
Thank you for your passion to keep me motivated.
Mahalo
Professor Gary Lee
9th Dan
Okinawan Karate Do , Historian
Hawaiian Martial Arts, Judan
Home Office – 713-483-0476
Personal Office – 281-901-7400
professorgarylee@gmail.com
Sport Karate Museum
The POWER OF ONE:
Gary Lee is the embodiment of the belief that one person can truly make a difference.
Untiring and unyielding, Professor Lee will see the reality of the Martial Arts Sport Museum as he has seen it in his mind.
His passion has fueled the energy of the Legends of Sport Karate who will be forever grateful… for the time and energy he has logged in this mission.
Future stars will be inspired by the recognition bestowed on their predecessors, and the stars of yesteryear will smile on the works of Professor Lee from every country on this planet and from the heavens!
Thanks Professor Lee for your devotion to the cause!
Joe Corley
T o :
The great martial artist Professor Gary Lee
Gary has taken the gift of Life and though his great character , dedication and ethical standards built a wonderful educational institution that carasses the entire legendary history of sport martial arts before the legends are gone.
He is a tireless worker for the sport karate history that should be told and shared, I will support his efforts what ever it takes .
12 / 26 / 09
Karl E. Geis
Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame
Kudon Judo
Kudon Aikido
“Professor Gary Lee is an old-timer and knows everyone! He shares with him an Aloha spirit from his homeland and he has a sense of humbleness, but lives with him is a samurai, poet, actor, artist, historian, and warrior.”
– Erik D. Jones, executive producer of Martial Arts Exclusive“
Gary Lee is the voice of Karate.”
– Michael Matsuda, President of The Martial Arts History Museum.
“Professor Gary Lee should be given tremendous credit for his extraordinary effort to create a Black Belt Museum. The martial arts museum will be an institution that provides inspiration to the entire martial arts world. Not only a place honoring all of the pioneers in our industry, but also a place that informs, entertains and inspires other young martial artist to dream that one day, they too will be inducted in this prestigious museum.I look forward to one day in the near future visiting the museum as soon as it opens.”
Keith Vitali, Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame
“Gary is a historian, a educator, a actor, a entertainer, a Samurai and a Big kid role up into one heck of a role model for kids, young adults and parents.
I have really enjoyed watching his talent grow into the force of a sport karate museum for the world.
There is no one I know who has the elite history he does in sport karate, after all he sold me back in 1982 to be the first martial arts show Astroworld had and help create many shows after that year.with fight scenes, high falls, tricks, weapons and comedy
The Hollywood Stunt Show was a big hit and Gary played the lead.
Gary is like a Tsunami, this huge wave that hits you with out any warning but you love the ride and you can not wait to get hit again and again!
If Gary puts his passion into The Sport Karate Museum like he has his acting and showmanship , another winner!
Bob Logon
Director
Entertainment Warner Brothers / Six Flags / Astroworld, Retired
HISTORY
History Generals of Sport Karate I have gatherd over twenty years
Rambling Cousin Eddie
“Opinion of a Martial Arts Fan
Just rambling and thinking
Many Years ago,,,,,
I got involved with the fishing industry, I did pretty good with sponsors and worked hard to build their trust and endorsed their products.
I wrote articles, did a live fishing show in Houston called “The Mark Stevenson Outdoors Show” and travel fishing tournaments.
I wore their patch, wore their coats, used their products and got paid to represent them in the industry, shows, Expos, and tournaments
Then I saw fishermen lying (really!!) and saying they are using a sponsors product, get sponsored and then use a similar product still receiving products and funding from the original sponsor.
No morals, just a wannabe user
Then it exploded,,
One of those guys with no ethics decided to make a mouse lure that looked like Micky Mouse likeness and he advertised that Disney was behind him and his personal sponsor.
He had lied, of course, he was making a bundle of cash at events selling his Micky Mouse fishing lure
Then one day, he disappeared, completely gone from the circuit, fishing shows, and expos.
Though my research I had found out he was confronted by lawyers of Disney and was shut down and sued for all the money he had earned which was in the thousands of dollars.
They went after him hard
Because of Lies and greed and not being honest with his sponsors, advertising without permission and being just stupid in the world of business.
What does this do with me being a fan of Martial Arts?
Well,, in martial arts it is about ethics and you do not say one thing and do the opposite, or lie about your style Rank or history which is a major concern for martial arts today!
If you are lucky enough to get a major sponsor or you understand about sponsorships.
Treat them as if you had invented the product and your reputation is on the line and it is.
Remember, they could have picked anyone, however, they chose you!!!
After all these years I am good standing with my Sponsors for thirty years
Ranger Boats, Pier 45 Marine, Kistler Rods, Worden Lures, Fish Formula, Stanley Baits, Vortex Lures
1987
Texas B.A.S.S Federation Champion
Lake Palestine , Texas
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ramblin.eddie/
Dr Maung Gyi and his Wisdom, a American Living Legend in martial arts
The world has been blessed with great, great men in and around our society and in the the martial arts world.
We have seen men and ladies rise to almost perfection and become legendary figures in movies, television and other ventures, it is a journey of ego, but controlled ego if under the right teachers, these lessons are taught by someone before the legends made their names in the martial arts, they had teachers who were very special, great men like Dr. Maung Gyi.
I know he has touch a lot of lives and most of all this is a love letter to a man that changed my life and journey in the martial arts, this is the wisdom of Dr. Maung Gyi.
Teacher of Teachers
My first remembrance of Dr.Maung Gyi was fighting the Bando guys in Ohio, they were animals, they wore all black, won everything in Kata and weapons and most of all I remember they hit very, very hard!
I actually got knocked out by one of those animals at the Official Karate Magazine Regional event in Ohio, then got beat by Tokey Hill, Tokey was from Sensei Don Madden Dojo in Ohio and was a pure animal, but such a gentleman outside the ring, because of his efforts and hard work we will have USA Karate Do in the World Olympics, his dream ,our dream!
The second encounter was in 1982, Houston Texas and Sensei Larry Lunn, ous, comes in my life as a instructor and friend. He was under Grand Master George Anderson out of Akron Ohio, but had spent some time with the Bando guys.
He taught me the Eagle Kata from Bando and to this day it is part of my Black Belt test for mandatory Kata and Bunkai , lots of seconds, a few firsts , Grand Championship wins, State titles, a National Black Belt League World Championship, not a bad journey for a Kata from Bando.
Then it is 1992 and Zulfi Ahmed comes in my journey and we are traveling all over the world, rivals in Sport Karate, but outside the arena we were very close friends, his style was called Bushiban. He had Matshibushi Ward from Okinawa was the Budo or Bushido part , then the Ban was for Bando, enter Dr Maung Gyi again in my life .
My son is born and of course I give him to Master Ahmed , Grand Master Ward and Dr.Gyi and they are part of the reason he does immaculate Japanese Kata and were the Head Judges at his first and second Dan test.
Though the years Dr. Gyi would come in and do seminars and share with us his knowledge and divine wisdom, one seminar I don’t remember what year it was.
Garett was performing with me doing my sword routine in front of Dr. Gyi , afterward Dr. Gyi came up and said “Garett ,I predict great things for you, here is something for you to help you on your journey, I have carried this everywhere with me, but now it is for you, it’s heavier than normal, I filled it with sand so I can do more damage”.
I stood back in awe and saw my son received a gift that was obviously very special.
A black , bamboo walking Jo, filled with sand , Dr. Gyi had just finished his seminars using it beating up opponents and showing his way of beautiful martial arts motion and technique.
In those many years I would absorb as much as I could in the short times we were together.
I looked forward to our yearly encounters at Bushiban Headquarters and at the Black belt test were I have became part of the Bushiban martial arts family.
Then the moment Dr. Gyi changed my direction in my attitude and help me make decisions that help create the Museum and the Living Legends Celebrity Roast.
I had just received the the 1997 Golden Greek Award from Texas Sport Karate and I was at the event of the year, Bushiban’s celebration with Dr.Gyi, he called me into the main office and sat me down , I thought I had done something wrong , but again it was a just another lesson in the journey.
He put his hand on my knee and looked me in the eyes, it was a special moment.
he said “Gary, you have spent your life knocking down things and being a warrior, now it is a time of healing ,now you reverse you momentum and put it to good, build the Museum, always tell the truth, put your energy to raising your son, I believe in you”.
It did changed me, that moment, knowing a great man , not just a great Black Belt,
A founder, mentor to hundreds, he cared enough to share with me , it was motivating and now you understand why I am so passionate about the project of the Museum of Sport Karate overall.
So now you will understand the heart of this letter,
Dr Gyi is a great teacher and he has taught me to share and to believe in miracles, for life is just a moment in time.
Dr. Maung Gyi taught me , not so much in the art of combat but art of healing and thinking of others a special gift to pass on in the world today!
So you see Dr. Gyi is a great man of wisdom and thought and because of him he has helped create a healing for all of us, look around there is someone you know that is special and was put there to help you and guide you on your martial arts journey, seek them out , share with them ,
Listen to them ,
Share with them ,
Hug them!
The History of Traditional Karate Pioneers, Legends and Champions in the 20th Century.™
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarcives.com
I am very honored to hold a 9th Dan under Michael DePasquale Sr.R.I.P and Michael DePasquale Jr in thieir systym of Jui Jitsu ,
They cross ranked with my Okinawan lineage at Arnolds event in Ohio and I have treasure the memory ,
I miss you sir ,,,
I would share a taxi with Master Michael DePasquale Jr. to the airport and we talked of his father, cross ranking and possible Living Legend Roast for him later.
Now it is 2005 and my son and I are invited to fight at Tokey Hill’s event, Tokey really liked Garett, paid his entry fee, made pop’s pay my entry, lol
That night at the Living Legends Awards Banquet we were handing out Legends awards from Mike Dillard and David Wahl from Century Martial Arts , the Ed Parker “Mahalo” Award, the “Shin kicker” Award and the Jim Harrrison “Natural fighter” Award, the Awards went to Alan Goldberg, Ken Knudson R.I.P and Bill “Superfoot”Wallace .
Then Michael DePasquale Jr. was asked to come to the podium and says ”
My father and I feel that Gary has worked hard and has earned this cross ranking of Black Belts to recognized his commitment to Karate, Sport Karate and the Museum of Sport Karate .
I was awarded a cross ranked certificate 9th Dan ,Okinawan Karate signed by Michael DePasqaule Sr., Michael DePasquale Jr., Jim Harrison , Ken Knudson , Bill Wallace, Don Wilson , Steve Sanders , Dennis Brown , Tokey Hill, Chuck Zito, Bob Wall, William J D’Hrso, Weslely Snipes, John Bluman,Twain Marx Kennedy, Master Choi and Masayuki Shimabukuro.
I know with out his love for Kata and our brief but short encounters none of this story would have happen , he will forever be in my memory of my journey here in the mainland.
I was humbled.
Now it is 2007, we have lost Soke Di Michael DePasquale Sr. but with the Roast of his son we honored his memory with a tribute video .
Garett Lee performed a Japanese Kata tribute to Chris Canning, a young man we lost to soon to a terrible tragedy .
Garett for his performance received the Chris Canning award from Chris’s father , very heart warming!
Donna Jackson sang the Living Legends song to a legendary group of American heroes that were there to honor both senior and junior DePasquale legends, Jeff W. Smith , Bernard Kerik, Gary Alexander, Keith Strandsberg, Keith Vitali, Joe Hess , Alan Goldberg , Shawn Flanagan, Young Song Lee, Bob Wall and Adam James were few of the Roasters.
When Michael got up after the Roast and spoke of his father ,we were all in tears not for sadness but of joy and honor to have known ,spoke with and shared with such a great American , martial artist and kind , caring person that was Michael DePasquale Sr.
A American Legend to be remembered forever in our hearts and mind .
Protecting the History , One Warrior at Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarcives,com
Please share with everyone you know who was there.
HOW MANY NAMES DO YOU RECOGNIZED and REMEMBER?
If you got to have a copy
Watch the fun, the excitement caught on film for the Living Legends Celebrity Roast of George Minshew
9th Dan Black Belt Test
Troy Dorsey
Ishmael Robles
Jimmy Tabares
The end of this Teaser Mr. J.Pat Burleson and Mr. Jim Harrison ,Hug and share a moment ,,,Priceless
FOR YOUR COPY Please Contact
kikbass.ak@gmail.com
Sport Karate Museum
713-483-0476
https://www.facebook.com/alan.kelly.58958/videos/10214571584459302/
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarcives.com
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
Aloha everyone, Osu
As I woke up this morning and I thought I was in a Dream state and then the phone rang and it was Mr. Kurban,
8:00 am, he said he never reads FACEBOOK, however this morning he saw my nomination and just had to call me, it was cool.!
A Sunday morning surprise!
We are the lucky ones who have been in this generation to watch these Animals of pugulist fashion become American Sports Karate Heroes to all of us.
Mr. Kurban said it, in a nutshell for the Hawaiians
“The Hawaiians like Mr. Parker, Mike Stone, John Natividad and you did not heed the American phrase “Go West young Man and seek your fortune, you guys came East to the mainland to seek your fortune, however, it was never about money or fortune, it was to represent Hawaii in the mainland in Karate.
So with that said,, Here is how I met Bill Wallace, Joe Corley, and Jeff W. Smith back in early 1970’s.
I was living in the basement of Sam Chapman’s Karate School of Greenville, the early 70’s and Sam decided to go to Ron Slinkers Tournament in Tampa, Florida
Sam rented an RV Cruiser that seated ten people and decided we would all go together and drive from Greenville S.C to Florida, so Bobby Tucker, Michael Goldman “Hot Dog”, Will Wright, Gary Langreth and I are on our way
The main event was Bill Wallace fighting in this new sport called Full Contact Karate and that is how I met Mr. Wallace.
Then a couple years later Sam comes to the Dojo and tells me
Gary
“I have a friend that is going to fight another friend of mind and they need sparring partners, he has a school in Atlanta on Peachtree Ave,, we are going and you can work out with my friend.
Of course, his friend is Mr.Corley and that day was a rude awaking.
Mr. Corley came out in Shorts, T-Shirt, arm pads, shin pads and wrapped, taped up , he didn’t look like a fighter and I had no idea who he was or his past glorious years knocking out people in tournaments, all I knew he was Sam’s friend and for two long rounds of me getting the #$%^&*() out of me I was introduced to Mr. Corley’s boxing and karate skills,
I do remember the jump spinning back kicks they hurt the most, oh, by the way, Sam’s other friend that was Bill Wallace
Mr. Corley was fighting Bill Wallace,
Mr. Corley was getting ready for his first historic encounter of two full-contact bouts with Mr. Wallace.
I remember that day also there was a young man there who was a bad ass, when he hit the bag the whole school would rock,, he stood out to me for he was extremely strong, handsome had a high pitch voice and a killer Fu Man Chu Moustache , that was the first time I saw and met Mr. Smith.
The Sports Karate Museum loves you and loves the history of our sport and the memory of Mr. Lewis will forever in our hearts, from all the Hawaiians that did not make it to the mainland, mahalo and thank you, Mr. Corley, Mr.Smith, and Mr. Wallace for this very special honor, Osu
Aloha
Gary
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
Faked out again!
It’s only happened a couple of times, I am not easy to fake out, the fact is I am a street guy, always aware and tonight I got Jap Slapped with something I would never expect!
But first, let me share with you the few times the fake out was in for me.
First time
I am sparring with a Chinese kung fu lady that I did not expect to survive my onslaught and attitude in china town in the early 70’s
Young and hostile with hardcore Karate, however when I woke up with Smelling Sauce under my nose, I had a instant respect for Kung Fu, Women martial arts and the unknown power of the lady fighter, never, never underestimate the way one looks, I swear the Wheel Kick came out of nowhere !!!!!!
The second time
I was talked into eating Meatless Meatloaf, never again!
And then tonight,,,,,, The Jam All Nations has been a mainstay in the Lee household since the beginning many years ago when we lost Jamal in a terrible drowning, a young superstar taken away from us,
My son received the first Award to remember Jamal at the first tournament in a tiny Gym, now in the five star Marriott, this is a bigger than ever event for sport karate and the through the years we the Sport Karate Museum Archives have supported the event to honor the Texas/Louisiana legacy of Sport Karate that they bring in each growing year .
This year a National Rated NBL event,. and it was a super event with many national players chasing points for Super Grands.
In the finals Mr. Dee DjCrash Pettway and Mr. Jason Holmes acknowledge Sport Karate Warriors that makes a difference like Jamal did and this year it was received by Mr. Tracy D. Armstead this year also Grand Champion for the Black Belt Kata Division and this gives him a high round seed in this year’s KATA WARS,,, Congratulations Animal
The Fake Out…….
I had worked the Museum Booth Friday all day and Saturday from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm,, ready to go home when Garett asked me if I am staying, No I said,,I am packing up ready to go home and then he said Mr. Dee DjCrash Pettway wanted me to talk about KATA WARS , so I stayed,, and was invited on stage after my commercial for KATA WARS with my partner Shihan Darlene Mcpherson-pagels, for some reason they asked me to stay and I watched Mr. Armstead receive his award .
I tried to walk off stage again when I realized something very special was going to happen, I was simply overwhelmed.
A few years back we lost Rommel Paul R.I.P, a great leader , karate instructor ,Kids Mentor , fishing buddy and dear friend and the Jam All Nationals honor one person to receive the Rommel Raul Diamond Award and to share their love for this great man we lost , They totally faked me out all day, evening and the finals, I had no idea to receive a personal award as this.
Kudos to you guys for faking out this street animal and I will cherish the moment and honor the moment you have bestowed upon on my journey in the martial arts.to remember my dear friend Master Paul
As I said tonight,,,
Thank you from my heart from the Texas Sports Karate community that has adopted me and the Louisianian Coonass fighters that helped me adjust to the Louisianian
a /Texas attitude of competition and fighting,,,
I love you guys,,,
Aloha
Shihan Dana Abbott is Samurai
The Movie “Memoirs of an American Samurai ”
The story of Sixty years of Sports Karate in America seen through the eyes of an American Samurai, a descendant of Samurai heritage, attitude, and DNA
We have been friends for many years when I asked him to write a fictional character for “Memoirs of an American Samurai” the
Movie a year ago, he started working on the vision for a character that would be really a Samurai decedent pure and also be Americanized to explain the craziness of my journey for sixty years.
Shihan Dana is my brudda and understands it is not the rumors of the journey, it is the understanding how it all began to go from a young boy in Hawaii, descended from Samurai and come to the mainland to pursue the journey of a Ronin Samurai.
Sports Karate was the vehicle to lay the groundwork for the Sports Karate Museum Archives.
Enjoy the journey of Memoirs of an American Samurai
American Samurai,
The beginnings of Professor Gary Le
It was a clear crisp morning at the docks in the bustling port city known as Shinbashi. As the boats and sailing ships began to depart Edo bay wending their way up and down the coast of Japan one medium-sized sailing ship known as the Maru Mari was also traveling the same route. There was nothing special about this vessel. It consisted of a twelve-man crew plus 29 passengers. Little did they know what was in store for them or that this was the last time they would ever again see the shores of Edo.
Japan is known for its many island chains. Their destination was to be one of those islands Hahajima which was about 800 nautical miles off the coast of Japan. The 29 passengers had been sent by a direct edict of the Emperor to colonize Japan’s outer frontier. Selected Samurai families from the various clans were occasionally sent to the outer frontiers to establish new colonies and posts. The Samurai clan on this particular ship was traveling east towards the rising sun. The Emperor’s aim was to colonize a small outpost on an island named Hahajima that takes about ten days sailing by light sailing craft.
Unfortunately, as they were getting closer to their destination an ominous storm warning appeared on the horizon. When it hit it took them off of their designated course for six days. When the hurricane winds had exhausted its strength and visibility returned they spotted what they believed to be Hahajima. Upon debarking the vessel and wading through the last few feet of water they heard not a sound or any activity. For weeks they toured, examined and searched each and every sign for sustainability. They finally realized they had landed on the wrong island but began to colonize and prepare it for more samurai to come in the next two years.
Five years went by and no one had appeared, then ten years and still no sign of anyone or any help. Meanwhile, these stranded samurais and the ship’s tradesmen began to build a port city for the coming Japanese reinforcements that never materialized. Although a few generations later merchant ships that were off course saw their beacon and headed toward the light began showing up at their outpost port.
When these merchants returned to their home ports bringing exciting stories about fierce looking samurai warriors encountered on the island ship captains and their pilots added this island and port to their current nautical maps. Thus, the island’s commerce began. On the maps and charts, they named the island Katana, which referred to everyone wearing a Katana sword. What was originally thought to be Hahajima actually became the newly charted island of Katana located off the farthest northwestern tip of the Hawaii and which was annexed by the United States of America, Thus, the inhabitants on the island became known as American Samurai.
This story begins generations earlier when the Great Uzaimon Katana had discovered a piece of fallen heaven. This find was a metal so powerful it emitted an eerie black glow. He captured its energy by forging this ethereal metal into a special blade. After each and every pounded fold gave for strength and power Uzaimon thrust the red-hot length of this unworldly metal into the cold water to quench and set it.
Upon cooling, carbon crust magically appeared. He then collected these particles of crust and sprinkled these bits onto his daily rice, which he ate with great gusto. He sincerely believed that ingesting these bits he would become an extension of this magical blade and as powerful. Every day as he consumed his rice laced with the collected particles he felt himself become stronger and more powerful both mentally and physically.
To understand completely how he could use his new-gotten powers by using his forged blade he then ventured out into the bamboo jungle and began cutting each and every stalk of bamboo. He returned 30 days later both physically and mentally morphed into a Herculated Samurai. His eyes had become like burning pieces of dark black coal. This new instilled power instantly gave him an advantage over man.
He lived to be 114 years old still retaining his powerful legacy by way of written lore and many duels to the death. As tales will become history there was an ancient rumor that a male was born with those special boring black eyes immediately after Uzaimon’s death. During that time the Emperor had become knowledgeable and probably frightened with the Katana clan, as he knew how powerful they had been and could be in the future. The Emperor in his wisest and self-serving moments had the entire Katana clan removed from Japan and sent to the outer reaches of the realm.
This mysterious young offspring of the great Uzaimon had sailed with the Katana clan to this remote uninhabited island. Within a few months, a camp was set up and eventually, a port established. As the years rolled by the young boy became a man and pursued the constant study of the way of the sword. He was rumored to have the strength of ten and the mindset of twenty. He was the leader until his death when a new muscular baby boy with those same coal-black eyes entered this island paradise. The generations to follow repeated this pattern and have to this present day. When the last patriarch dies the next one in line, inherits both his physical and mental knowledge.
Tadashi Katana is the last living descendant of the great leader and samurai warrior Uzaimon Katana whose ancestors first landed on this island hundreds of years earlier. Tadashi spent his youth practicing the traditional ways of his ancestors and ancient warrior ways where the jungles and the beaches met. One side of the field was white sand and the other side of the field was a dense green jungle in which he became the master of his surroundings with or without a blade. Tadashi also inherited special DNA, which was passed down to only him.
When Tadashi came of age, he lived and studied abroad, learned to speak several languages, able to discuss any topic or discipline and excelled in any sport or endeavor. Considered by all to be a man of the ages he was comfortable dealing with people from all walks of life, which prepared him for his biggest challenge and that was…to move to TEXAS.
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
When I am 64,
https://youtu.be/8AglUMCKyns
Tomorrow, I turn 64 and I am blessed
Lucky Hawaii Boi
I Should not be here, a lucky Hawaii boi,, let me share,,,,,,
50 years ago, I arrived in the mainland permanently and had all the dreams a kid could have.
One of the first cities I was staying was Modesto, California and it was a layover before my adoption came through.
I was young and very stupid,
One hot day, I took a Honda fifty motorbike from my friends house and went out to the canals, to jump in and “Shoot the Canal”, it was hot and no one around for miles and miles, not a soul,,,,, so I take off my clothes down to my underwear and jump in and do not go deep enough and get caught in a whirlpool,,
The water is pulling me under and I believe I am going to drown,,,,
Great!!!!
I am thinking,,
I have been in the mainland less than a few weeks and God is taking me, the problem is I did not know anything about religion or have God in my life, just a stupid young teenager and young Black Belt.
It is extremely true if your in a position that your life is leaving you,
You feel and see things different within that short frame of panicking.
I really felt I was going to die, all I could see was was
Hawaii, my surfboard, and my BlackBelt.
I fought the current and grabbed the concrete, I was cut, bleeding tired and scared and could barely hold on.
My life is being pulled from me,
I was drowning
I was being pulled down by the water and losing my grip.
One hand was on the concrete barely, when I felt a grip on my wrist, a powerful grip of my wrist and I look up and it is a dark skin man in a trench coat, long black hair and he has my arm and he pulls me up, I look down and pull my other knee up and look up and he is gone!
I stay for a couple of hours just looking for footprints or sign of a person and trying to comprehend what just had happened, it stayed with me a while and then I forgot about it,,,
I have been so blessed in all these years with everything that has happened in my journey,,, now I know that was a “Guardian Angel ” that saved me that day and God had a plan for me and this is the plan to be passionate and to do for others for you are the guy that has been watched over all these years and be thankful for it ,
Thank you, Lord
Professor Gary Lee
Founder
Sports Karate Museum
Amen
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Gary Lee
White Belt -beginner, to Brown Belt and all between
Eye of the Tiger potential, but very ignorant in the beginning.
I am a little nervous, but the instructor is cool, he hollers a lot, not at me but every time he throws a punch or kicks, weird, hopes he doesn’t make me do it!,
I ain’t crazy about hollering at people it’s bad enough I have to wear those funny looking pajamas and on top of it all I hate wearing white,
I wonder what that is all about having to wear white, I get bored real easy even though it is cool when they kick!
I like how they do a bunch of punches and kicks together and it looks real, kinda like a movie, looks cool in person!
I’ll use the coupon up and quit after I get those funny looking PJ’s!
3 Months Later.
9th yellow Belt
Karate is like the Ocean, wild, unpredictable and dangerous!
Received my first belt, pretty cool!
Scared to death from the time I walked in the Dojo, yellow looks good on me, wow!!, everybody beat me up today, Kata was the hardest, fighting was fun, that Mr.Tanaka hit me hard, knocked the wind out of me, STUCK ME PRETTY GOOD !!, but he’s cool, strange but cool!
Hoorah!! I am a yellow belt, yeah!
I can’t believe I passed, it was the hardest thing I have ever done and the most fun!
It was like a new Horizon!
I didn’t think Karate was this way, I mean it is fun but something different, I really can’t put my finger on it yet, it is not just learning the respect but the way everyone works together everyone treats everyone is the same, even when the Black Belts are beating on you, I like that !
Three years later
3rd Brown
Making Brown belt was impressive, Basics, Basics, Basics and more Basics, Konk Ku Dai, Seisan kata, Advance Teki Kata all Kata Bunkai applications, Black Belt attackers only “Bull in the Ring” and one on one, two on one, three on one, four on one, five on one Kumite , no rest between rounds , no water, no excuses , no quitting and, Well I have graduated from cleaning the toilets to sweeping the front of the matted area everyday before the Black Belt Class , Sensei says he did this so all the Black Belts can see me all the time and see I have good technique in sweeping, I said in much respect , “They see me enough when they beat the crapped out of me ! sir”, said with much respect, Osu
three years later
2nd Brown
This test I was in charge of setting everything up, I spent the night in the Dojo and help host the special guest Sensei Tanaka brought in, went to the lumber company and got the bricks and boards for the Test, set the chairs, tables and made all the refreshments, got all the paperwork together, it is like preparing for a huge storm that you know is coming, can’t believe I’m testing for second Kyu Brown, what a ride it has been !!
Gotta go, Black Belts are arriving, will write later if I survived!!
Well, I am at the hospital with four of us that got banged up today ,my finger is broken and I am the lucky one, the other guys got knocked out by our special guest today at the Test and one guy is not waking up, everything was OK, until we got this guy in a corner, bad mistake, he hit Charlie first, round kicked Bobby, did a picture-perfect jump spin back kick in the face on Kea and kicked my hand when I grabbed him, he smiled as if he knew he had hurt me , we were all going for second Kyu except Kea, he was going for Black, maybe that’s why he knocked him out.
Update ***I was in the back room and heard the Black Belts talking, they said Kea was running his mouth about the test and he was not going to be stopped , well I hope Kea wakes up , heck I hope we passed, so many people were hurt when we left for the Hospital, I don’t know, brutal test !!
Learned a lesson, never talk out loud before a High Dan test and say your thoughts if you do expect a world of hurt !, loss
Kea finally woke up, I didn’t leave his side through the night, scary night, man that was a heck of a test, it wasn’t the toughest test but it was the one that made me the most nervous.
Real Karate is a scary adventure like a bad, bad storm!,
You just cannot teach heart,,, Osu
We talk about Mikie Rowe Moore tonight and her legacy
mahalo
Professor
“They all thought I was crazy,,,,
AMAA Masters Pioneers and Legends Radio
with Professor Gary Lee and the Sports Karate Museum
SPECIAL GUEST Robert Parham
Fun and personal interview, talking about everything
Kicking with the Wolverine
“Are Black Belt Women as tough as a Man Black Belt?
with Special Guest Karen Schlachter
100 Black Belt women and powerful ladies in the martial arts respect to Mikie Rowe Moore.
A treasured legend
Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame August 16th 17th 18th
KATA WARS “The Power of Women” September 28th -29th
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theamaa-martialartsshow/2018/08/09/amaa-martial-arts-masters-pioneers-radio-network-with-professor-gary-lee
History General Jimmy Anderson’s 70th Birthday Party
“A Dragon Fly Experience”
I am a very lucky hawaii boi and have been around a lot of incredible individuals, it seems I have been blessed since I left the Islands as a child,however I have never met a man quite like my adoptive Black Belt and brudda Jimmy “The Irishman”Anderson.
It’s my memory of a incredible weekend of fun,camaraderie and family, but much ,much more “My Dragon Fly Experience with this dear,dear friend,Osu
Jimmy came in my life twenty years ago in a time of the beginning part of the Sport Karate Museum and Living Legends Roast ,plus I was still fighting, Bass Fishing and working at Six Flags Corporation .
When the creation of World Black Belt from Bob Wall’s vision, Jimmy Anderson was one of the investors and good friends with Jim Harrison and J.Pat Burleson,my instructors for the past twenty years here in Texas and I was planning stages of them being Roasted,
They were the third and fourth Celebrity Roast I did in the beginning years and Jimmy Anderson helped fund both of them with sponsorship, mentorship and kindness
We became friends and he watched my work though the years and though other projects and other dealings we lost touch with each other.
through the karate network grapevine ,
I had heard he had a serious liver illness and needed a transplant or he would die if he did not get a donor ,so with my ignorance and not checking, I had thought he had passed.
The years after and leading up to five years ago have been extremely tough,I mean to build a Sport Karate Museum from scratch a vision that will benefit the world of sport karate and having a vision also to build something great for others to cherish and remember ,however though day after day grind , month after month, the stress wondering if you will keep the doors open,if any body really cares or is it really worth all the trouble just to remember the memories of sixty years of a time gone by, but now this sport is a multi-million dollar industry and we are in the Olympics in 2020,
so somebody cares.
I just got to find them.
Well Life was about to change,dramatically, Osu
Bob Wall, George Clark, Jim Hartley ,Jamie Cashion and Steve Selby was putting together a fundraiser for Jim Harrison and I got involved ,only problem was I was Bass Fishing a tournament the the same day of the event , so I helped behind the scenes to help make it a success, then the day of the event.
I get a Phone call from Jim Hartley.
I am on the water in a major Bass Tournament and this is what he said
“Here is someone to talk to you” and it was Jimmy Anderson ,
I almost jumped out of the boat , my partner thought someone had died ,but in reality he had come back to life with our journey.
I screamed,,,, I thought you were dead, Oh my goodness!!
I was so excited, we started communicating weekley and became extremely dear again .
I promoted him to Black Belt.
Two years ago we had our Twenty Fifth Anniversary and jimmy flew in Jim Harrison and his family to honor his friends J.Pat Burleson and Jim Harrison.
It was a huge success and it help change lives with old friendship memories of respect and Ohana.
I could have not done what I have done in the past five years with out God as my savior and Jimmy Anderson.
Around the 1st of June I receive this beautiful invitation from Jimmy ,a all expense paid ticket to Sacramento California to stay at the Sawyer Hotel.
Though the months we talked regularly and I knew it was going to be a Hoot and Holler Shindig but had no idea what I was in for.
I have come a long ways from a tiny hut in Hawaii and I still think small scale , conservative and keep it simple .
Jimmy has never forgot his roots , he has a heart of a champion in the ring or in life , the fact he is a millionaire has never fazed his life, he just is a very special person who really cares about others .
I wrote this for Jimmy after his party
It is not what Champions do,it is what Champions do for others
Here are my weekend diary notes as they occurred.
You have to understand Jimmy comes from a fighting background besides being a man of all seasons.
He was a Golden Gloves winner also he was influenced and he became a great coach and help train Dennis Alexio along with Bob Wall ‘s help to take Alexio to the top of the game ,he has trained Loretta Garza and Tony “The Tiger”Lopez also to world titles.
He has a fighters mentality.
It started by Jimmy and Bridget Sanders his chief financial officer picking me up in his new Bentley and checking me in personally into the Sawyer Hotel.
He taken over the whole fifth floor of the hotel .
In entering my luxurious room I received a knock on the door and it was a Basket full of goodies from Jimmy.
Honey from his farm and his bee’s , Apples from his trees, Chocolate, Bread sticks , Almonds,Whiskey, Drinks special surprises
He has a 10,000 square foot suite on the 18th floor overlooking the city of Sacramento with clear glass around the whole floor
This is where he can see the hospital that saved his life and the railroad tracks and trains he saw as a kid growing up in this california city.
My new nickname for him is Mr. Sacramento
I was introduced to Ivanka ,his beautiful 100 pound german shepard dog that he saved ,nourished and she goes everywhere with him,everywhere.
She has her own bed room, bed, tables and Big Screen TV in the suite.
I Checked in and went up to the suite of Jimmy’s and met with the Karate guys he had brought in to celebrate , a handful of legends.
J.Pat Burleson,Bob Wall, George Minshew,Chris Minshew,Jim Hartley, George Clarke,Jamie Cashion, i
It was a group of men and women that have been his closest friends over the fifty years.
It was very special to have us all together for this joyful occasion and celebration.
We shared a little while and headed toward to Jimmy’s personal Pizza Party where he owns a cool little Pizza place “Round Table Pizza” in old Sacramento downtown .
It is managed by his partner and dear friend , Dave Mello from Maui,Hawaii
We got there and his closest personal friends showed up along with his family and Karate animal legends I have mention.
His grandsons were there along with his Son, Sean, his grandsons are his pride and joy, Patrick, Brady and Ryan and Jimmy wanted them to see a samurai cutting his birthday cake ,so he asked me to cut the cake the only way I knew, loud and with Samurai Spirit, Osu
The people that were standing around were not ready ,however Jimmy loved it and that is all that mattered.
After stuffing ourselves with the best Pizza in Sacramento and telling war stories with these legends of Sport Karate which was a real thrill besides the ohana, we left and went back to the suite.
Saturday morning came and I was asked to meet in the lobby with the boys and Jim Hartley came up to me and said the ignitionation drink of the day is “Urine Juice” and we all have to partake in it!,,no exceptions
I looked at Jimmy and he said “You have to Drink it
“It is a circle of trust!”
I gulped it down ,,it was Pickle Juice ,,,faked out again , lol
One by one , they offered the “Urine Drink” to the Karate Legends
until Bob Wall and he said “You guys are #$%^& crazy !!
After everybody gathered,
We met in the five star restaurant in the Sawyer for a incredible brunch with all the special guest who jimmy and Jackie had brought in , incredible stories and a brunch feast.
I believe after the brunch the ladies went shopping Anna Burleson, Summer Cashion, Chris Minshew, Marrietta Hartley, Lillian Wall, Carol Brunin.
Saturday afternoon we met in the lobby and the limousine picked us up and took us to Johnny Anderson home , Jimmy’s brother where the party was going to be.
It was a amazing adventure walking into that home and seeing what was prepared for this one of kind party to be.
It was like “The Great Gatsby ” on Steroids!
They were stations of Blue Crab, Shrimp , beautiful ladies walking around with mouth watering horderves and appetisers.
Dozens of dignatarieries and personal friends were emerging on this incredible home
Over a hundred personal guest were invited to this moment and it was jimmy Anderson at his finest five stars ,first class, the very best ,always pushing the envelope.
Now it get heavy,,,,,before dinner ,Jimmy was sharing a story explaining how his father had passed and he was by himself , that his father changed his life , by himself in that moment sitting , a dragon fly appears and lands on the tip of his finger as he was thinking of his dad.
He would come back quite a few times and land on the tip of his finger, in fact he took a picture of it and had gave it to each one of his special guest.
Then as he was taking about it, a short gust of wind and then something happen before all his guest
A sudden moment in October,on a windy evening at this gathering , no water around a DRAGON FLY appears and goes around Jimmy’s head twice and then flew off ,,,
“I jumped up and said “Did you see that?”
It was amazing! ,there was some true Karma happening !
The Dinner was incredible and he had brought in the Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin impersonators who did their favorite songs.
Jimmy had saved my presentation for last and it was well received for a group who did not really understand martial arts.
I shared my relationship with Jimmy , told a few stories of love and respect and then Mr. Burleson,Mr Wall, Mr.Minshew,Mr. Cashion, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Clarke and myself surprised him with his third degree Black Belt from the Sport Karate Museum, a Dragon Image Fighting Award and Life Time Achievement Award for his love and dedication to helping others and his love of Sport Karate.
The the surprise of the evening came when Jimmy and I awarded his son, Sean and his grand kids their Honorary Black Belt from the Sport Karate Museum and I personally blessed and tied the black belts around their waist and presented them with their certificates.
This was jimmy’s gift to them to let them realized what martial arts means to him and his karate animals he surrounds his self with.
After the party as every guest was leaving they received a special gift a wrapped glass encased real DRAGON FLY!
A Dragon Fly Experience for a very special man
I went back to Hotel and Jimmy asked me to bless his new Samurai Doll he received for his birthday and in front of a handful of friends.
I went back into Samurai mode and blessed his doll.
I am on my way back to my room around 12:00 pm Sunday morning and I get a phone call and it is my Students Dean Pyles and Bruce House coming from the Diamond Nationals in minnesota and they had missed their plane and they were arriving any minute, only problem is ,it’s over.
I met them for a late dinner and two hours later they were flying back to Florida .
These guys are so dedicated and loyal to me.
Truly, I am blessed to have students that would travel across the country just to hang out for a couple of hours.
Love you guys,deeply
Special mention to Brian Hartley who did not leave my side and took care of everything.
Special mention to Randy Rothenberger for being Jimmy’s Number one Uki and taking care of him.
And last ,the very special lady in his life ,over thirty four years of loving ,traveling ,raising a beautiful family and just being together and in love Mrs. Jackie Anderson
I love you Jimmy Anderson ,you are my adoptive family and Happy Birthday ,brudda
Osu, Mahalo, Aloha
E Hoomau Maua Kealoha, Kahuna Nui Hale Kealohalani Makua
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
Why is there so many Black Belt Kata Divisions and so called World Champions ? ,
There is no dancing ,singing,crying,giggling or making fun of my Karate Do when doing Kata, especially in a public forum, if you do not have Bunkai or applacation behind your Kata you have no purpose except to dance or to entertain.
Being Open is one thing, being Traditional is another subject
So tired of Black Belts bragging about how many divisions they have won and each Kata division is broken up by age
Sometimes two or three compeitiors in these broken up divisions , so a compeititor bounce’s from these divisions all around doing Katas and just chasing the awards.
Then they win four or five Kata divisions not knowing truly if they are the best at the tournament in Kata because of all the sepration and what is really ,really sad and disturbing is that they classify themselves as World Champion in Karate, so the general public assumes it is Fighting ,Weapons Breaking , Empty Hand , Creative, Musical ,Soft sytle , Hard Sytle , Traditional , Open or whatever
All the age brackets , 18,30,40 50 ,60 years of age
How on earth can you say your a World Champion in Karate Kata and not compete in World Competition ?
Plus I am talking about the compeititors who do just ONE CIRCUIT and don’t venture out to other compeitions or has not even gone out of country to represent the USA and still say they are a World Champion
It is all about $$$$ and without all those divisions and age brackets, well if they throw them in one category , no age or style difference or gender difference
There would be a true competition of Kata Skills , however this will never happen because less the entry fees and egos would be busted.
Not a World Championship ,but a true KATA Champion of America
Tthey should just put them all together and do a free for all KATA WARS ,
No age difference , no gender difference
Sport Karate Museum Invitational KATA WARS
September 27th and 28th
Houston Hilton Gallirea
Information
Professor Gary Lee
Kyoshi Darlene Mcpherson-pagels
713-483-0476
281-221-2145
Pefection of KATA , real World Competition ,real World Champion, Rika Usami
https://youtu.be/iiiznDpoapQ
Professor Lee assiduously works at preserving all elements of importance of the Karate lifestyle. Professor Lee has conjured the very spirt of Miyamoto Musashi himself ,one of the most well-known martial artists of all time.
He is considered the Kensei , sword-saint of Japan and recognized as the greatest Samurai of all time.
The Spirt of Musashi can be witnessed when Professor Lee gives a Sword demonstration as his sword skills are breathtaking or does a Karate Kata to ultimate perfection honoring the previous masters that pioneered the art many generations previous.
Professor Lee is worthy of the title Grand Master of Karate as he is a wonderous true sight to behold, but the lagniappe gift to the world Professor Lee brings is his life passion in preserving the history of Karate as it was founded and introduced in America.
Professor Lee excludes no one, all races, colors of people, people of various religions as he insists on honoring all walks of people in the Martial Arts, as well as both sexes for their outstanding contributions.
Professor Lee being the Master aficionado and the ambassador of unifying a people with an undying fighting spirt honored in a state that knows a thing or two about the American fighting spirt (Texas).
Written by
Paul Pawela
Warrior Magazine
Professor Gary Lee and the Sport Karate Museum presents
“THE POWER OF WOMEN ”
In September of this year he honored the woman who fought and paved the way in Karate in America, moreover the importance of all woman’s value that contribute to the “martial art Community” more appropriately titled,
The Power Of Woman!
Undertaking such a huge task Professor Lee is smart enough to know he can’t do it all so he has a Yang to his Yin In one of his life long students who was awarded her 8th degree Black Belt as the Sport Karate Museum Event, that very Special Woman is Darlene McPherson, she was Professors Lee’s field general to make everything run smooth, it was mentioned to this reporter I mention Grand Master’s McPherson Pagel’s age as a marveling mile stone,
I will only state every woman should strive to be both as fierce and fit as Grand Master McPherson Pagels is and I wish to seek the same goal and live a little longer as I fear no man on earth but do have a decent fear of her, so to stay healthy and stay in the good graces of Grand Master McPherson Pagels , will ensure that very task as she is defiantly a woman who demands respect and I for one would never try her!
On the plaques awarded to the very special woman who were in attendance, which was over 100 a mind boggling number, the plaque reads,
“The above recipient represents her role in the journey of powerful woman in our society of martial arts community, whether you’re a Black belt, Grandmother, Mother, Aunt, Master Instructor, Teacher, Competitor or Fan.
She sets the standard of excellence in character and helping others with their personal wisdom and ohana. However, most of all they are special just because they are ladies and without them, as the opposite gender, would not be as strong as we are in our martial arts and we thank you for having the patience of putting up with our ignorance all these years”.
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives
The National Sport Karate Museum Honoring:
“ The Power of Woman and the Pioneers of woman in the martial arts!”
By Paul Pawela
“I am not a well- schooled woman. Instead I have learned my lessons from experience, mistakes, and the heart of battel. If ever there was a shinning alumnus from the school of hard knocks it is I. My diploma can be found, printed in black and blue, at points of varying interest from head to toe”
Life Lessons from Xena Warrior Princess, by Chris Kreski.
From USA Today news headlines, U.N.: Half of female homicide by family, report coincides with world- wide campaign, more than half of female homicide victims world- wide – 137 every day were killed by a member of their own family last year according to a new United Nations study.
Research published by the U.N. office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found that of the approximately 87,000 woman and girls intentionally killed in 2017, about 58 percent died at the hands of an “intimate partner” or relative. This amounts to six woman being killed every hour by people they know the report said. (Source USA/Florida Today).
Sexual abuse against woman is ramp anent in the world as well but positive strides have been made to end this abuse as 2017 also will be historic as the year woman broke their silence and dozens of powerful men who sexually abused woman were finally held accountable. What is the one thing, that common denominator to break this ugly cycle that threatens most woman’s safety? Most would say empowerment but empowerment is a process. Through the process an individual becomes an agent of change, more simply put it is going from I cannot do it, too Yes I can do it! This would be a correct statement but the best question to ask is what gives that woman empowerment to be free to break the cycle from victimization to full fledge empowerment not being afraid of any- one or anything?
Karate or simply put Martial Arts self-defense in simplistic terms. However Karate will do for now as the term Karate is understood universally in cultures all over the world as for the meaning of self-defense aka the pathway or the journey to enlightenment in realizing the importance of self as well as self-preservation. The word Karate is a combination of two characters; Kara meaning empty, and te, meaning hand thus Karate means empty hand adding to the suffix “do” means the way or the path, meaning a total life commitment the purpose to strive to excel against everything and all things life throws at you.
It has been said the martial artist is a master of moods. The Martial Artists is in full control of their emotions. Traditionally, Karate or martial arts went hand in hand with acupuncture, message, medicine, religion. A true martial artist represents all things in life in a positive way as an extension of his/her way of life, it is the way we educate our children, the art of Karate does not lie in victory or defeat but in building the HUMAN Character… Karate is not important but the people who are in it are.
Thus woman through the ages who have been warrior pioneers themselves but sadly have gotten little or no recognition for outstanding and amazing feats they have done themselves, woman like the Trung Sisters who Commanded an army of 80,000 people and drove out the Chinese from Vietnam in AD 40, the Trung Sisters trained in martial arts all their life.
Fu Hao was Chinas first female general who led an army of 13,000 around 1200 BC, Hua Mulan was another famous warrior who took the place of her father and led her people in to battle and was proficient in the martial arts these great woman to mention a few of many great woman warriors through out the ages as the have been in all cultures and gave their all when people needed them.
As with any kind of history the best place to preserve said history is in a museum and Karate is no different. For Karate to be preserved it must have a very strong Ambassador and I can think of no one better than the one who runs the Sport Karate Museum, Professor Garry Lee, 9 TH Degree, under 10TH Grand Master, Jim Harrison one of the toughest Karate fighters of all time that even Bruce Lee, described Grand Master Harrison as “One of the most dangerous Men in the world.”
So how tough do you think someone has to be to be promoted to 9TH degree by one of the toughest men who ever lived? Pretty Damn Tough is the correct answer!
While Professor Gary Lee would like to humbly deflect all his life time accolades in Karate (As well as he has been officially ranked by 40 well known Grand Masters as a 10TH degree, but I digress) and focus just on the Sport Karate Museum and more importantly his over whelming recent success at recognizing the Pioneer woman of modern sport karate at his annual Sport Karate Museum event.
Professor Lee assiduously works at preserving all elements of importance of the Karate lifestyle. Professor Lee has conjured the very spirt of Miyamoto Musashi himself ,one of the most well-known martial artists of all time. He is considered the Kensei , sword-saint of Japan and recognized as the greatest Samurai of all time. The Spirt of Musashi can be witnessed when Professor Lee gives a Sword demonstration as his sword skills are breathtaking or does a Karate Kata to ultimate perfection honoring the previous masters that pioneered the art many generations previous.
Professor Lee is worthy of the title Grand Master of Karate as he is a wonderous true sight to behold, but the lagniappe gift to the world Professor Lee brings is his life passion in preserving the history of Karate as it was founded and introduced in America. Professor Lee excludes no one, all races, colors of people, people of various religions as he insists on honoring all walks of people in the Martial Arts, as well as both sexes for their outstanding contributions.
Professor Lee being the Master aficionado and the ambassador of unifying a people with an undying fighting spirt honored in a state that knows a thing or two about the American fighting spirt (Texas).
In September of this year he honored the woman who fought and paved the way in Karate in America, moreover the importance of all woman’s value that contribute to the “martial art Community” more appropriately titled, The Power Of Woman! Undertaking such a huge task Professor Lee is smart enough to know he can’t do it all so he has a Yang to his Yin In one of his life long students who was awarded her 8TH degree Black Belt as the Sport Karate Museum Event, that very Special Woman is Darlene McPherson, she was Professors Lee’s field general to make everything run smooth, it was mentioned to this reporter I mention Grand Master’s McPherson’s age as a marveling mile stone, I will only state every woman should strive to be both as fierce and fit as Grand Master McPherson is and I wish to seek the same goal and live a little longer as I fear no man on earth but do have a decent fear of her, so to stay healthy and stay in the good graces of Grand Master McPherson, will ensure that very task as she is defiantly a woman who demands respect and I for one would never try her!
On the plaques awarded to the very special woman who were in attendance, which was over 100 a mind boggling number, the plaque reads, “The above recipient represents her role in the journey of powerful woman in our society of martial arts community, whether you’re a Black belt, Grandmother, Mother, Aunt, Master Instructor, Teacher, Competitor or Fan. She sets the standard of excellence in character and helping others with their personal wisdom and ohana. However, most of all they are special just because they are ladies and without them, as the opposite gender, would not be as strong as we are in our martial arts and we thank you for having the patience of putting up with our ignorance all these years”.
Many inspiring Martial Arts woman were in attendance at the Power of woman event, like Master Karen Eden who wrote a book titled, “They call me Master, more heartful inspiration for instructors and those in training.(A book which should be required reading for all who journey in to this life long path called the martial arts). Master Eden points out that those who ascend to the rank of master are one in a thousand, as literally thousands who have had some sort of martial arts training across the globe will rarely get this far.
And yet these brave martial arts woman of the past who persevered in a man’s world endured physical and mental punishment few people could possibly fathom let alone understand because the path of the warrior and the way is the only thing that deals with physical living and physical dying. Other arts do not!
The former pioneers of women Karate masters passed on what they know to the current woman karate masters. First is to understand who they are in this world and that their very own existence has it’s very own special purpose once understanding and accepting this very fact, then through non-stop vigorous training in mortal combat the main objective is to survive, survive so you can live life to its fullest and if you gave everything in all you did both in training in Karate or what ever combative form she practices with all her heart all her soul with the main idea is to win there is nothing else in life that can defeat her, she then becomes an unstoppable force, that leads her to become a mentor and role model.
Mikie Rowe Moore is just one such Karate pioneer woman from the start of it all. In the early days in the men’s divisions there were weight divisions where men fought against other opponents in their own weight class to keep everything even this was not the case for early woman as the men didn’t seem to care how the woman competed against each other, well this didn’t sit well with Grand Master Mikie Rowe Moore as she let Grand Master Ed Parker know about it. Master Parker did not loose many fights nor arguments in his life time, this was one fight he did not have a prayer, due to the persistence of Master Moore’s convictions she was able to right wrongs and pave the way for future Karate women who fought in future Karate tournaments.
So many special Karate woman gathered together in one setting, impossible to name them all, great woman who have mastered the arts like Vikki Morrow( I was at the Battel of Atlanta years ago when she won it, what an honor to know her), as it was such an honor to meet all these great woman like Marty McDonald, Cindy Key, Dennie Rico, Tammy Sanders Lee, Tammy Sanders and apologies to all the other greats that cannot be mentioned due to space limitations.
Compassion, gentleness, love and lethality all rolled into one, is what you got from the woman in attendance that was the energy these graceful woman brought to the Power of Woman of the Sport Karate Museum.
Grand Master Jenny Pless was the epitome example of a true warrior leader from the ferocity of her weapons demonstrations which mesmerized everyone who witnessed it to her compassion to everyone of her many students she brought to the Sport Competition and she brought a lot but she left not one student out as she honored all with dignity and respect leaving all her students with a sense of confidence and pride. Grand Master Pless sums it up perfectly by stating “life and Martial Arts is the same, keep on kicking my friends.”
The Power of Woman was a wonderful success story at the Karate Museum in a modern time where there is discord between Conservative and Liberal, hatred between left and right thinking, prejudices in the hearts of all races of people who would ever think the common grounds in martial arts would unite all people to come together in peace and love to band together in respect and appreciation for this wonderful thing shared called Karate and for all those Great Woman Grand Masters and Masters as the award states, “We (men) thank you for having the patience of putting up with our ignorance all these years!”
Thank You Professor Lee, for being everything that is BUSHIDO you represent everything in Gi (Honesty & Justice), Rei (Polite Courtesy), Yu (Heroic Courage), Meiyo (HONOR), Jin (Compassion) Makoto (Complete Sincerity) and Chu(Duty & Loyalty) as you have inspired and motivated so many people and preserved their history through the way of Karate, “OUS”
This article is dedicated to my Special Woman of Power. A special woman warrior who has inspired and motivated me. She showered me with support and love so much that I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me in front of over 300 people in attendance at the banquet of the Sport Karate Museum. This article is dedicated with LOVE, to my inspirational warrior woman Linda Keesling!
About the Author:
Paul Pawela, a recognized Grand Master(Inducted into 3 Martial Arts Hall Of Fames and is a History General for the Sport Karate Museum) who has been in the Martial Arts for 47 years, Retired Military, SOCOM Hand to Hand Combat Instructor, Nationally Recognized Master Police Instructor Trainer in Firearms and Defense Tactics, writer of over 100 published magazine articles in Self-defense and Law Enforcement in over 25 print magazines and Published a Special Forces Sniper manual considered one of the best of all time.
Invited Guest Speakers , Bellagio Casino Las Vegas
June 29th
Shihan Dana Abbott and Professor Gary Lee will be heading the podium at the Who’s Who Book in the Martial Arts Banquet at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas ,Nv June 29th
They will be introducing legends and their vision of the movie concept of “Memoirs of an American Samurai ” created by Professor Gary Lee and that Shihan Dana Abbott has written about using the Samurai attitude .
Enjoy the vision of two American Samurais .
The Movie “Memoirs of an American Samurai ”
The story of Sixty years of Sports Karate in America seen through the eyes of an American Samurai, a descendant of Samurai heritage, attitude, and DNA
We have been friends for many years when I asked him to write a fictional character for “Memoirs of an American Samurai” the
Movie a year ago, he started working on the vision for a character that would be really a Samurai decedent pure and also be Americanized to explain the craziness of my journey for sixty years.
Shihan Dana is my brudda and understands it is not the rumors of the journey, it is the understanding how it all began to go from a young boy in Hawaii, descended from Samurai and come to the mainland to pursue the journey of a Ronin Samurai.
Sports Karate was the vehicle to lay the groundwork for the Sports Karate Museum Archives.
Enjoy the journey of Memoirs of an American Samurai
American Samurai,
The beginnings of Professor Gary Lee
It was a clear crisp morning at the docks in the bustling port city known as Shinbashi. As the boats and sailing ships began to depart Edo bay wending their way up and down the coast of Japan one medium-sized sailing ship known as the Maru Mari was also traveling the same route. There was nothing special about this vessel. It consisted of a twelve-man crew plus 29 passengers. Little did they know what was in store for them or that this was the last time they would ever again see the shores of Edo.
Japan is known for its many island chains. Their destination was to be one of those islands Hahajima which was about 800 nautical miles off the coast of Japan. The 29 passengers had been sent by a direct edict of the Emperor to colonize Japan’s outer frontier. Selected Samurai families from the various clans were occasionally sent to the outer frontiers to establish new colonies and posts. The Samurai clan on this particular ship was traveling east towards the rising sun. The Emperor’s aim was to colonize a small outpost on an island named Hahajima that takes about ten days sailing by light sailing craft.
Unfortunately, as they were getting closer to their destination an ominous storm warning appeared on the horizon. When it hit it took them off of their designated course for six days. When the hurricane winds had exhausted its strength and visibility returned they spotted what they believed to be Hahajima. Upon debarking the vessel and wading through the last few feet of water they heard not a sound or any activity. For weeks they toured, examined and searched each and every sign for sustainability. They finally realized they had landed on the wrong island but began to colonize and prepare it for more samurai to come in the next two years.
Five years went by and no one had appeared, then ten years and still no sign of anyone or any help. Meanwhile, these stranded samurais and the ship’s tradesmen began to build a port city for the coming Japanese reinforcements that never materialized. Although a few generations later merchant ships that were off course saw their beacon and headed toward the light began showing up at their outpost port.
When these merchants returned to their home ports bringing exciting stories about fierce looking samurai warriors encountered on the island ship captains and their pilots added this island and port to their current nautical maps. Thus, the island’s commerce began. On the maps and charts, they named the island Katana, which referred to everyone wearing a Katana sword. What was originally thought to be Hahajima actually became the newly charted island of Katana located off the farthest northwestern tip of the Hawaii and which was annexed by the United States of America, Thus, the inhabitants on the island became known as American Samurai.
This story begins generations earlier when the Great Uzaimon Katana had discovered a piece of fallen heaven. This find was a metal so powerful it emitted an eerie black glow. He captured its energy by forging this ethereal metal into a special blade. After each and every pounded fold gave for strength and power Uzaimon thrust the red-hot length of this unworldly metal into the cold water to quench and set it.
Upon cooling, carbon crust magically appeared. He then collected these particles of crust and sprinkled these bits onto his daily rice, which he ate with great gusto. He sincerely believed that ingesting these bits he would become an extension of this magical blade and as powerful. Every day as he consumed his rice laced with the collected particles he felt himself become stronger and more powerful both mentally and physically.
To understand completely how he could use his new-gotten powers by using his forged blade he then ventured out into the bamboo jungle and began cutting each and every stalk of bamboo. He returned 30 days later both physically and mentally morphed into a Herculated Samurai. His eyes had become like burning pieces of dark black coal. This new instilled power instantly gave him an advantage over man.
He lived to be 114 years old still retaining his powerful legacy by way of written lore and many duels to the death. As tales will become history there was an ancient rumor that a male was born with those special boring black eyes immediately after Uzaimon’s death. During that time the Emperor had become knowledgeable and probably frightened with the Katana clan, as he knew how powerful they had been and could be in the future. The Emperor in his wisest and self-serving moments had the entire Katana clan removed from Japan and sent to the outer reaches of the realm.
This mysterious young offspring of the great Uzaimon had sailed with the Katana clan to this remote uninhabited island. Within a few months, a camp was set up and eventually, a port established. As the years rolled by the young boy became a man and pursued the constant study of the way of the sword. He was rumored to have the strength of ten and the mindset of twenty. He was the leader until his death when a new muscular baby boy with those same coal-black eyes entered this island paradise. The generations to follow repeated this pattern and have to this present day. When the last patriarch dies the next one in line, inherits both his physical and mental knowledge.
Tadashi Katana is the last living descendant of the great leader and samurai warrior Uzaimon Katana whose ancestors first landed on this island hundreds of years earlier. Tadashi spent his youth practicing the traditional ways of his ancestors and ancient warrior ways where the jungles and the beaches met. One side of the field was white sand and the other side of the field was a dense green jungle in which he became the master of his surroundings with or without a blade. Tadashi also inherited special DNA, which was passed down to only him.
When Tadashi came of age, he lived and studied abroad, learned to speak several languages, able to discuss any topic or discipline and excelled in any sport or endeavor. Considered by all to be a man of the ages he was comfortable dealing with people from all walks of life, which prepared him for his biggest challenge and that was…to move to TEXAS.
Protecting the History, One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
Aloha
I have been to hundred of events in my career and they are all very special, however this SPECIAL TRIBUTE event stood out for it was personal and it was just a big “Thank you ” from the Arnolds family to a few men and one woman Ms Linda Denley that have been a part of Mr. Arnold’s journey in Texas Karate
This article is very personal for I am known to the Arnold family as “Uncle Osu ”
Texas animal Mr.Rick Arnold has believed in my career since I arrived in Texas and has supported the Sport Karate Museum from day one and what he and his family did was a remarkable show that was truly a mark of love for the martial arts and legends.
This a personal account of three days of fun , ohana and respect.
I picked up my Black Belt and Uki Jim Butcher and we headed down North 45 to Durant, Oklahoma , this was a five hour drive straight though except for our stop at Buckee’s for a BBQ sanchwich , Buckee’s corn nuggetts and signature pickle quail eggs.
We arrived in Durant, Oklahoma at the Casino Convention center around 8:00 pm and went to Dinner with Mr. Rick Arnold, the host, World Champion Mr. Jeff W.Smith and retired Pollce officer Mr. Jack Stevens.
It was really cool sitting and talking to Mr. Smith , one of the original History Generals of the Sport Karate Museum .
I still get all giddy eyed being in same area with Mr. Smith one of my first heroes of the sport , years ago at the Black Belt Magazine festival ,he donated and signed his red ,white and blue uniform to the Sport Karate Museum , simply priceless!
We checked into our suite after dinner and was at the Convention center at 7:30 am
Always the first to come and the last to leave ,that is work ethic of what we do.
Mr. Arnold had our tables set up and Jim and I set up the museum display, slowly the crowd was coming in for the amazing seminars planned. Mr. Troy Dorsey , Mr. Jason Wadley, Mr. Jason Warren , Mr. Jeff W.Smith and Mr. Bill Wallace was doing his seminar on Saturday after the tournament.
During the slow times I had my All Star 5’7 Dock buster signature series graphite rod with a Shimano Curado baitcasting reel with 14 lb.Spiderwire test braid pitching a Black and Blue Stanley Jig with a Ragetail Magnum Bug trailer at people as they walked by ,the set up had no hooks and completely safe.
I did grabbed Mr. Arnold for a few moments and put his arms out and told him he was a tree and threw my bait at him many times , that was fun
An amazing second day and it just gets better and better.
The Arnolds set up a special food display for the masters in attendence in a private area friday night after the seminars and it was a special moment when Mr. Smith shares with us a very unique dilploma presentation.
Grand Master Jhoon Rhee R.I.P who we lost this past year , before his passing , he promoted only two men of sport karate history to 9th Dan under his legacy and Mr. Smith had been one of them along with the first national Karate champion J.Pat Burleson.
We have in the Sport Karate Museum the Black Belt that was handed down from Mr. Jhoon Rhee to Mr. Allen Steen to Mr. Mike Stone to Mr J.Pat Burleson ,to Mr. Jim Harrison and then to the Sport Karate Museum .
It is the heart of the vision of the Sport Karate Museum
Mr. Smith said it all
” The legends in this room are the bricks in the wall ,however Mr. Burleson is the granite pure rock that is the foundation of American Karate , thank you”
We stayed and shared ‘War Stories” it was defintely a poloroid moment for all in attendence.
I was craving home food so I made Jim find the closest Sushi Bar and made him take me for my Miso Soup ,Eel, Peppered Tuna and Dragon Rolls.
It was Sushi time at Tokyo Joes and we closed the place down and got back to the hotel around 2:00 am and it was snowing had got super cold .
It looked like blizzard and it was beautiful.
7:00 am came fast , only four hours of sleep , however we got ready for the big show and the day of excitement planned for all of us.
I had a very special time with legend Dr. Keith D.Yates who sat with me for a couple of hours at the booth also special mention of Sensei Daniel Gossett
A old USKA animal of the grid iron and we sat and shared stories that went back fifty years.
My special time with Royce Young and his wife brought back memories for he was at the first Living Legends twenty years ago and sat on my son’s Black Belt Test.
It was very busy all day and everybody was so friendly ,maybe because I gave out over fifty fridget spinners to the Kids and autograph pictures of the legends of Sport karate , now you guys know my secret,,,,,lol
6:00 pm and the show was getting ready to start .
I walked to my seat and it was beside Mr. Burleson , Judge Roy D. Kurban and Mr. Minshew, my instructor for forty years.
I kiss all three on the forehead and whispered in their ear how humbled I was to be on stage with them and I never have forgotton the beginning days in Texas sport karate with them adopting my hawaiian attitude and teaching my Texas skills
The Black Belt Ascent show was amazing with the jolt moment you would feel if you had stuck a wet hand in a wall socket , it was electric !
Mr. Jamie Cashion, the Master of Cermonies Masters Hall of Fame alumni and Ambassador for the Sport Karate Museum is one of those gifted Black Belt’s that is dangerous but the sweetest guy in the universe ,his finesse and wit is a big hit with any crowd that knows sincerity in public speaking .
He also has a soft sale marketing approach that makes you want to support his causes .
He brought a Toby Keith signed Guitar and auction it off for a $800 donation to MAD ,
I have said it in interviews and on the air “He is amazing and he really , really cares from the heart ,Osu. Osu, Osu, “Our special Joke”
Every one in the Arnold family was being promoted even Mr. Arnold
His performance of Kata was superb ,but what was dynamic was his self defense routine and his heart to perform and say “Thank You” they had gone though a “Old Fashion Black Belt test” rare in todays karate Black Belt circles of schools and Mr. Arnold really wanted to make a statement of his roots and his love of Tae Kwon Do.
The UTA “United Taekwon Do Alliance really was impressive with heir support and elders there.
A special mention of the Black Belt students who are listed below for a amazing job too!
A moment that was special was when the Sport Karate Museum and the History Generals represented on stage and gave Lynne Arnold her Honorary Black Belt Dilploma signed by over forty legends of Karate in America and reconized her excellance.
She had been hurt earlier and was not able to perform ,however he love and ohana shown from the students and crowd of four hundred plus to Mrs Arnold was very emotional.
It also showed she is the glue that has helped bring this amazing family to our notice.
Another special moment was when special gifted martial artist Amber Morgan , a red belt got on stage and performed her Bo Kata
I was screaming and crying ,mostly crying because she was incredible and to share her journey with Mr. Arnold is what dreams are made of.
Special people with special gifts ,it was moment I will never forget.
I also need to mention the heart of a Dragon and a true warrior Mr. Doug Grissom who dislocated his shoulder earlier during a seminar and performed with out losing a beat plus fought on stage on won ,very impressive and amazing charactor.
Also at the end of the night Ipulled someone out who really impressed this old timer Mr. Chris Landino and gave him a personal Throwing Star that had been given to me by my instructor of the sword”MAKO”, when he gave it to me I had to promise to pass it on to someone special , well Chris , your special , Osu
Last is a sincere deep bow and hug to my new hero , Haleigh Arnold who has the vision of respect to the pioneers and legends who help create this american sport .
Her 501 C Non Profit vision of giving back though making a difference “MAD” will simply grow bigger and bigger every year
I hope the Arnolds famly vision is contagious for the generation of producers that needs to know where it all started .
Haleigh is part of that new breed of super producers that will change things and educate at the same time.
Ohana on the mainland.
Mahalo and Aloha
“Uncle Osu”
Here are the names of the people that were such a blessing and major part of
the success of this weekend and are part of the Sport Karate Museum family and friends
Ladies that made this weekend smooth:
-Tamara Flores, Mandy Hammond, Sarah Bigham, Nicki Cunliffe, Amanda Long
MAD Booth Volunteer:
-Jennifer Barnes, Andrea James, Angela Strobl
Set Up Team:
-Mark Long, Colton Black, Guy Clark, Eric Wooton, Moses Hejny, Derrik Poitevint, Steven Biller, Michael
Cunliffe, Brandon Strobl
Blind Woman:
-Amber Morgan (red belt); Steve and Dotty Morgan (parents)
UTA Booth:
-Joe Elmore
Man running back and forth with great attitude:
-Kevin Hammond (torn LCL while testing for 1st dan)
Arnold’s Instructors:
-1st Mickey Martinkus, 2nd Ronnie Clark
Arnold longest and current instructor:
-Royce Young
Longest Training Student:
-Madison Ferguson
Awards and Decor Coordinator:
-Donna Harvey, Robbie Turner, Tuesday Wooton, Kelly Edwards
Floaters (go where they are needed at any time):
-Lavon Speers, Lora Speers, Debbie Nason, Elyse Blake, Sarah Poitevint, Lindsi Johnson, Lyndon Davis,
Richard Davis, Martha Delphin, Amber Savage, Darrin Savage
Concession:
-Hamid and Marsha Bayatfar, Glenda Fox, Mathan Harvey
Meet and Greet hors d’oeuvres:
-James Coppla
Legends:
-J. Pat Burleson, Royce Young, Jeff Smith, Bill Wallace, George Minshew, Robby Beard, Terry Brumley,
Jamie Cashion, Troy Dorsey, Juan Galvan, Ted Gambordella, Johnny Gorrell, Roy Kurban, Gary Lee, William
Shelton, Jack Stevens, James Wadley, Phil Wilemon, Keith Yates
Honored legends but in heaven:
-Dwayne ‘Rooster’ Machen, Mark Hale, and James Toney
Eagle Warriors (Black Belts promoted):
Honorary Black Belts (could not test due to injury)-
Lynne Arnold, Kevin Hammond, Makayla Harvey
1st Dan–
Evan Hammond
2nd Dan–
Alyssa Arnold, Kase Carlile, Bradyn Greene, Alexis Tatunay, Kris Tatunay
3rd Dan-
Peyton Arnold, Doug Aumock, Elijah Brewster, Jayson Nason, Randall Nason
4th Dan-
Colton Arnold, Chris Landino
5th Dan-
Bart Alsbrook, Haleigh Arnold, Doug Grissom
8th Dan-
Rick Arnold
Kids XMA Seminar:
-Jason Warren
AV/Media Team:
-Andrews Media
Sponsors:
-Hoyte Dodge (Sherman and Durant), Texoma Solar Solutions, Cadence Studios,, Sport Karate Museum
Texoma Counseling Associates, Sleep Number– Sherman,
Total Health Chiropractic, Garland Insurance
Red River Title Company, Kicksite, Ameristate Bank
The Jewelers Bench, Sugar Plum Stitching, Hot Springs
Photography, Optimum Family Wellness, Rick Arnold Re/Max Group, Judy Baur, Wayne and Lin Barnes,
Sandra Phillips– State Farm Insurance, Joe Elmore, Barnes Family, and Ron Tackett
Protecting the History , One Warrior at a Time
http://www.sportkaratemuseumarchives.com
I have to say also that Mr. Steen has been a part of the vision I have done for twenty years ,
Starting at the first Living Legends Celebrity Roast in 1999 and the introduction of the Sport Karate Museum
He also giving me personal items for the Museum that first evening in 1999 .
He asked Tim Kirby and I up to his suite and gave me personal pictures and advice for the future
In Hollywood ,he allowed my son and I to intoduce him at the History Museum Awards and his induction into the Hall of Fame
Then allowing me to greet all the celebrities at the door of his 60th Birthday Party ,
Allowing Mr. Richard Jenkins , Mr. Steve Selby and Mr. James Toney R.I.P donating the original Allen Steen Family Tree for the Museum ,
His youngest and dedicated student Dr. Keith D. Yates being inspired by two of Mr. Steen’s students Skipper Mullins and Fred Wren to be the heart of the logo patch for the Sport Karate Museum and personally designing the logo twenty years ago
Then all the Celebrity Roast and events you have supported over the years .
Out of your busy schedule you call me and wish me the best , if you can not come that means so much just the phone call , sir
There is a lot of American Karate sport Karate history here ,,,,,,,,
Osu
I will never forget after the crowd was gone ,all his friends and legends ,he sat me down and said “Gary,,,
Please do not ever forget , it is all about the education and the betterment of the future which are “children ”
I will cherish and forever hold dear the moment in that huge ballroom in Dallas Texas just the Texas legend who invented the Side Kick and a lucky Hawaii Boi ,
It has inspired me greatly those moments of wisdom .
I knew then I would build this Sport Karate Museum , nothing would stop my drive and men like Mr..Allen Steen , Mr. J.Pat Burleson , Mr. George Minshew and Mr. Jeff W. Smith would change my life forever and destiny and give me the motivation to work as I do ,,
Thank you Mr. Allen Steen
CHALLENGE of Japanese verses Okinawan martial arts
Tomoe ,symbol of Okinawan Karate
Two stories
Each of the circles in the Tomoe symbolizes three cauldrons filled with Boiling Oil that was prepared for three Samurais that was caught stealing Okinawan artifacts.
The Okinawan Clan decided to boil them alive to send the message “Do not Steal”
Thousands of Okinawan were slaughtered with invading Samurai ,however the Okinawan Karate was strong that was developed Goju, Isshinryu, the many different families of Shorin Ryu Okinawan Te
Second Story
The Tomoe Jewel stolen by samurai and one of the early hatred between Okinawa and Japan , Japan has always thought even back when Samurai invaded Okinawa that Japan owned Okinawa , however the Okinawan people of simple farmers always believed they were their own people that is why you have Traditional Okinawan Karate and then you have all the other Japanese martial arts.
That is why you have the Sword ,Katana, Wakisashi, Tanto and the art of the draw and then you have Okinawan Kobudo ,the art of Farm Tools Sai,Bo,Tonfa,Eku as weapons to fight the sword .
Two different Martial Arts , two different attitudes , two different countries.
Sport Karate Museum Archives “Believe it or Not”
I went to my annual Bass Club meeting and was overwhelmed at the fishing memories that was thrown around at the tables.
.
We were in a heated discussion whether it was a five pounder or six pounder at the weigh in at some tournament twenty year ago when a young man of around forty years old came up to me and said ”
Excuse me sir , are you Gary Lee ,the Bass fisherman /”
I said “Yes I used to be ,lol”
He is telling me of when his parents and how they would drag him to all those Big Bass amatuer tournament events around Texas and they would be gone for hours and how they ,the kids would be bored crazy left on shore to do nothing
They would get in trouble with the marina’s and ransacked the camp ground , at times there would be 300 kids or more on shore waiting for their parents and the weigh in .
That is eight hours ,300 kids, nothing to do and this was happening at every big Bass event that would draw thousands of people to enter and win cash and boats as amatuers in the early 1980’s.
Understanding the roots
Forty years ago I was a dreamer , doing everything and Bass Fishing was one of those dreams , I was good , I was lucky,
I had great sponsors and got to do shows all over America..
I was doing Holders fishing show in Dallas, Texas and a big crowd was there , mostly kids for my shows..
After the show and kids demostration I recieved a note and it was a invitation to Bob Sealey’s Big Bass Splash at Sam Rayburn , Jasper Texas and they had a idea that maybe I could be a part of being a kid advocate thoughout the years.
It was also the bigginning of pre fishing for the Annual B.A.S.S Master Classic.
When I arrived at the Restruant where we were to meet I walked in and saw with Mr. Sealey he was sitting next to Tommy Martin, Larry Nixon and Ron Suffeild all Bass Master Champions !
I was floored and silly at the same time for right behind me stepping in the door was Florida’s Roland Martin another B.A.S.S Master Classic Champion.
I walked over to Mr. Sealey and he said to me ” you work with kids well , I have all these kids on shore waiting for their parents and I need help ,,come up with a idea!!, here is $200 and go to walmart and get some ideas and you have a room at the hotel
Good luck, don’t let me down ”
Fast and to the point ,,KISS, Keep it simple , stupid
That trip to walmart that night change my direction in fishing.
.
I went to the Manager of the Walmart Store and pleaded my case of kids and oppurtunity of community service.
Wal mart that night donated
40 zebco 202 spinning rod and reels ,and Mickey Mouse rod and reels, 20 hula hoops , 200 cups , Bubbles , 100 bobbers ,worms and spinner baits, 10 coolers to give away, board games ,and 25 gift certificates to give to the winners.and then gave me a custom 20 inch Pro bike to give to the grand champion of the casting event
I took the $200 and bought candy ,gifts for the give-aways and got $100 worth of those gold quarters and dollors and filled the cups for kids to hit with thier jigs ,
If they got in the hoola hoops ,they would win a prize too.
The kids were now entertained and I had a job that lasted twenty years ,,lol
Walmart gave back to the community and help me start something that is mainstay at every big tournament event
‘The Super Kids Casting Contest”
Now back to that young man that confronted me .
His name is Thomas Martin and he was one of those kids at that first Super Kids Seminars .
He was six years old at that first event on Sam Rayburn and he won a tackle box , rod and reel and a $23.00 of gold quarters and he remembers a big Japanese looking guy in charge , lol
He just wanted to say “Thank you”