Seton Hill University (SHU) is not a place limited in activities and clubs for students. One can join a club geared toward almost any interest, from laser tag to aerobics. Now another group is about to make its debut on campus: the Judo Club, which strives to bring the martial art of Judo to the hill.
Judo is a form of Japanese martial arts originating in the 19th century that combines self-defense with discipline. While some who practice the sport do so for self-defense reasons, Judo also can help participants by training not only their body, but also the mind.
By Vanessa Kolberg,
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Seton Hill University (SHU) is not a place limited in activities and clubs for students. One can join a club geared toward almost any interest, from laser tag to aerobics. Now another group is about to make its debut on campus: the Judo Club, which strives to bring the martial art of Judo to the hill.
Judo is a form of Japanese martial arts originating in the 19th century that combines self-defense with discipline. While some who practice the sport do so for self-defense reasons, Judo also can help participants by training not only their body, but also the mind.
“The list of reasons to learn Judo is long but any one reason is sufficient unto itself to justify participation,” said John M. Atherton, faculty advisor and founder of the new group. While the club has yet to apply for formal recognition from the Seton Hill Government Association (SHGA), it plans to do so soon in order to get the club, with about 30 interested members, up and running.
Treasurer and one of the founding members, junior Mike Poiarkoff, has been doing mixed martial arts for one and a half years and hopes the club will help him to continue training. Members of the Judo Club do not need to have any prior martial arts experience, however. Anyone is invited to join and will be instructed in the sport by Patrick Landry, a 2nd degree Judo, who has taught for about 10 years, said Atherton.
Although the club does not require any previous knowledge, it does have plans to become more than just another activity on campus.
“We plan on practicing and eventually becoming competitive at some point,” said Poiarkoff. Other club officers include president Angela Palumbo and vice president Loic Niragire.