History
How did Tae kwon Do get to UCF?
The Tae Kwon Do practiced and taught at the Butokukan Club @ UCF is not a traditional style of Tae Kwon Do. It is better described as a hybrid art that combines aspects of Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido, and American Freestyle Boxing that has evolved into one style. The roots of our style is derived from the Korean art of Moo Duk Kwan, a school of traditional Tae Kwon Do. Moo Duk Kwan was brought to America by Dr. Richard Chun in 1962. Dr. Chun began a school in New York while attending graduate school at Long Island University. One of his advanced students was Jimmy Diaz. Jimmy Diaz, attending the Long Island University as well, trained under Richard Chun and achieved a high level of understanding of the art. Mr. Diaz then went to Miami to teach at the University of Miami. In turn, Jimmy Diaz would train an aspiring martial artist by the name of Todd Jones. As Mr. Jones furthered his training in Moo Duk Kwan, he began training in Iaido (the art of drawing and replacing the Japanese sword to its sheath) and Kendo (Japanese fencing) and later Aikido. Mr. Jones would blend all of these styles along with his previous training to create the American Moo Duk Kwan Society. The first school of the American Moo Duk Kwan Society was created at the University of Florida in 1975. Clubs were later opened at the University of Miami, in Tampa, and lastly at the University of Central Florida. These schools would meet three times a year to share what the students and Yudansha had learned. During the Spring semester of 2005 the UCF branch of the American Moo Duk Kwan Society split from the collective schools to explore new avenues of learning.
How did Aikido get to UCF?
The existence of Aikido is due to one man, MorihUeshiba. During they years before and after World War II, O-Sensei (great teacher) formulated this eclectic style that combined his mastery of kenjutsu, jojutsu, sojutsu, and ju-jitsu into a martial art that emphasized harmony. The world headquarters is at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan, where O-Sensei supervised his uchideshi's in the art of Aikido. There are two paths to which Aikido had arrived at UCF. The first was from Doctor H.T. Walker at his dojo, Sand Drift Aikikai, in Titusville, Florida. Walker Sensei (or Doc as his students called him) was first introdcued to Aikido by Mr. George Wilson Sensei. Wilson Sensei had studied Aikido while being stationed in Japan with the Air Force. Doc trained under Wilson Sensei for seven years to receive his dan rank (black belt). Wilson Sensei shortly named Doc as the head instructor of the dojo
Walker Sensei became a great instructor of Aikido and also had a hand in unifying Aikido dojo's. Doctor Walker gave a hand in establish the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) with Yamada Sensei and Tohei Sensei. Doc also worked with the Police Departments in his area in training how to better apprehend criminals. Doc also helped form the AMS with Todd Jones to allow students to train at his Dojo for a reduced fee. Mr. Jones had trained at Sand Drift Aikikai during the seventies. The second channel of Aikido influence comes from our current Aikido instructor, Jason Baran Sensei. Jason was highly influenced by Yamada Sensei's New York Aikikai. Jason came to Florida to study in Melbourne and trained at Sand Drift due to it's proximity to Melbourne and his friendship with Doctor Walker. After Doctor Walker's passing and the closing of Sand Drift Aikikai, Jason moved to Orlando to continue his studies. He began teaching Aikido at SCC where UCF students have been able to continue their Aikido training.
