AKS Quarterly Newsletter

The DoJo

Dave Thomas
8th Dan AKS

Fifty Years and Counting

Dave Thomas

In the summer of 1973, Mr. Lieb hosted a karate summer camp at Hess Lake, Michigan with his active Black Belts and a number of respected instructors from around the midwest. Sam Chapman and Bobby Tucker brought their student, Jerry Rhome, from Greenville, South Carolina. These teachers and students from various styles had been invited to hear Mr. Lieb's vision for a new martial arts style. A style that would be uniquely American.

I was an up and coming brown belt at that summer camp. It was amazing to work with so many diverse and talented instructors. I even had the opportunity to spar with Jerry Rhome during his Black Belt testing. I made sure he looked very skilled and fast in our sparring match. (Jerry would later win karate's heavyweight world championship against Brad Hefton at the Battle of Atlanta.)

I remember the meeting where Mr. Lieb introduced the American Karate System. There were many questions and many positive comments. The idea of a truly American martial art that was assimilated from the four traditional systems was greeted with enthusiasm. A number of the visiting instructors chose to join with Mr. Lieb in building his new style.

In the beginning, I can remember walking into tournaments wearing our red, white and blue AKS uniform patches; hearing comments like, "American karate? There's no such thing." On one occasion, one of our Black Belts was scored a zero for his kata demonstration because "it wasn't a traditional form."

Our students and Black Belts quickly showed the other schools that we were a force to be reckoned with. We won many trophies and a grudging respect along the way. It also helped that Mr. Lieb was voted Black Belt Magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1973. And when our performance and skill weren't enough, Mr. Lieb offered to come out of retirement and offer first hand demonstration.

Several years later, the journal "Who's Who in Martial Arts" named Mr. Lieb the Founder of American karate. Other instructors would adopt what he had started.

The American Karate System had steady growth beyond the Midwest. Clubs were started in Germany, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Oklahoma. Talented AKS students and instructors demonstrated by their attitude and their skill that the AKS was a legitimate martial arts style.

Where we weren't accorded respect, we took it.

Here we are fifty years later. Some of the people who attended the Hess Lake beginning are still putting on the uniform and continuing what Mr. Lieb started. There have been many students and Black Belts since that early beginning, but the vision and the commitment remain the same.

In the last fifty years, the world has changed more than we could have imagined in 1973, but our values and our commitments remain steadfast. I tell students that our style is "old school;" meaning we hold respect, humility and training foremost. The years have taught the veterans that what we teach our students has life-long value. For a few hours a week on the floor, American Karate can make a momentous difference in a student's life. I have seen it many, many times.

So, thank you Mr.Lieb for what you started. Thank you for the tremendous positive influence we are capable of, from your model. Here's hoping that the next fifty years continues to enhance your legacy.

We will continue to offer our students our very best so they can be the next generation of talented American Karate System Black Belt instructors.

Dave Thomas
8th Dan