Penn State Karate Club

Fifty-three years ago, on January 15th, Tatsuo Shimabuku gathered his students together to announce the name of his karate style. In the years leading up to this day, Tatsuo studied under the legendary Okinawan Masters Chojun Miyagi, Chotoku Kyan, and Choki Motobu. He mixed their teachings with his own innovations. In the early years of its development, Tatsuo called his style Chan Migwa Te, it later evolved to Sun Nu Su, and then finally settled upon Isshin Ryu.

In April of 2008, Penn State Network Television filmed a short news segment about the club. It features interviews with several club members and provides some current and historical footage of workouts and seminars. Enjoy:

Deomnstration Kata

The repairs to Room 106 are complete and we will be working out there for the rest of the summer. Our first workout in 106 will be Thursday, June 19th.

The Penn State Karate Club (PSKC) is the oldest university-based martial arts program in the U.S. It has been an active part of the Penn State University experience for over 36 years. Founding member Master Dane Sutton, 8th Dan, is presently the head instructor and a club advisor. While at Penn State, Kiyoshigo (Master Instructor) Sutton, has taught Karate to more than 7,000 PSU students and promoted more than 250 Karate Club members to Black Belt. Many of these Black Belts have gone on to establish their own schools or are instructing for law enforcement agencies or the U.S. military. In June of 2007, Okinawan Grandmaster Kichiro Shimabuku presented Kiyoshigo Sutton with a special award for his extraordinary accomplishments and dedication to Isshinryu Karate.