Martial Arts

The Xavier Martial Arts Club is dedicated to bringing the tradition, discipline and body/mind unity to the Xavier campus that can only come from the study of martial arts. We strive to bring our members to a state of readiness for both self-defense and tournament performance.

Our club's focus is taekwondo--we are a branch of Ahn's Taekwondo, which owns and operates several schools primarily in Cincinnati. Our main instructor, Master Jamie Hamilton (fifth-degree black belt), was the 2001 National Intercollegiate Taekwondo champion, and she currently runs her own school in Blue Ash. Mr. Ryan Newburn, a fourth-degree black belt and mechanical engineer for GE, is our other highly qualified instructor. Nevertheless, the club is conducted in an informal and friendly atmosphere, and we train while genuinely having fun.

The training varies from light to heavy, but the rule at all times is that nothing is mandatory. It is strongly encouraged that everyone train with their fullest effort, but we understand that not everyone is a professional athlete and that not everyone wants to be. Joining this club is not like joining an elite team, but what you choose to make of it--you may train as little or as much as you would like.

Taekwondo is very much an individual sport, but naturally, our achievements reflect positively on our club and our university. The club operates in a constructive environment where we help each other achieve whatever level of skill and fitness he or she desires.

For the 2008-2009 school year our practices are held every Monday and Thursday from 6:00-8:00pm in the Armory. Our club is open to all Xavier students, faculty and staff. Most regular martial arts schools charge $80 or more per month--club membership is just $20 per SEMESTER, yet we have two very skilled and enjoyable instructors! Friends, don't pass up such a great opportunity during your few years here at Xavier.


Sincerely,

Dan Dery
Xavier Martial Arts President
419-290-3270
deryd@xavier.edu