About Us
The UMass Shotokan Karate Club is a member of the International Shotokan Karate Federation and the East Coast Collegiate Karate Union
Instructor
A graduate of Purdue University, Jared Carver began his study of karate there and later earned his black belt under Teruyuki Okazaki. Active in the UMass Shotokan Karate Club since 2003, Mr. Carver holds the rank of fourth-degree black belt and is a graduate of the ISKF Instructor Training Program.
Jared Carver with visiting instructor Robin Rielly, 8th-degree black belt, with UMass Shotokan Karate Club members, April 2010. A member of the ISKF Technical Committee, Mr. Rielly is the author of several books on karate, including Complete Shotokan Karate: History, Philosophy, and Practice; Secrets of Shotokan Karate; and Karate Basics.
Current Officers
- Steven Tenaglia, President
- Jonathan Hills, Vice President
- Eliza Mitchell, Treasurer
- Subhrangi Swain, Secretary
Club History
The UMass Shotokan Karate Club was founded in 1976 by Journalism Professor Sara Grimes following ten years of study with Teruyuki Okazaki at ISKF Headquarters in Philadelphia. A graduate of Cornell University and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Professor Grimes retired from the university in 1997 but remains associated with the club, leading its "Early Bird" morning training sessions and administering examinations. A graduate of the ISKF Instructor Training Program, she holds the rank of sixth-degree black belt.
With the help of its first group of officers, the UMass Shotokan Karate Club in 1976 also became a Registered Student Organization. Two years later, the club voted to join the East Coast Collegiate Karate Union; and in 1979 the club medaled in three individual events in its first appearance at the National Collegiate Karate Championships held in Phoenix, Arizona.
The UMass Shotokan Karate Club has conducted formal classes every semester since its founding in 1976 thanks to dedicated service by instructors, students, club officers, and with the continuous support of the ISKF, which regularly sends a qualified instructor/examiner to campus to give examinations for rank as well as to evaluate the club's progress as a whole. Besides receiving rank certification, members may also take advantage of benefits of ISKF membership such as special trainings at ISKF Headquarters in Philadelphia as well as the annual Master Camp and Goodwill Tournament in June and Fall Camp in September.
Through the ECCKU, UMass Shotokan Karate Club members continue to have the opportunity to compete with karate practitioners from some 15 other colleges and universities throughout the East Coast region. However, since its inception, the club has emphasized the study of karate as a traditional martial art, based in Asian philosophy and culture, over sports. These principles are embodied in the Dojo Kun: Seek perfection of character, be faithful, endeavor, respect others, refrain from violent behavior.
From the outset, UMass Shotokan Karate Club membership has been open to the entire community. Members have included undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, professional people living in the Amherst area, and children (over eight years old). The club also has been pleased to welcome into its membership over the years students from all over the world including from Algeria, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, China, Ecuador, Germany, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Sara Grimes with John Nunez in Amherst in 2005. Mr. Nunez, 5th-degree black belt, assisted the UMass Shotokan Karate Club as instructor during his residency at the University of Massachusetts from 2005 to 2007. He is chief instructor of Belize Shotokan Karate Association.