If you are looking for a way to get into shape, learn self-defense, or try a new sport, Judo Club may be the answer. Held every Monday and Thursday evening, the club is always looking for new and enthusiastic participants.
By Melissa Unger
Contributer
If you are looking for a way to get into shape, learn self-defense, or try a new sport, Judo Club may be the answer. Held every Monday and Thursday evening, the club is always looking for new and enthusiastic participants.
Judo is currently the most popular form of martial arts at Seton Hill University. It emphasizes self-defense, mat workouts and throwing techniques. John Atherton, a professor of philosophy, is the advisor of the club, and has been an avid Judo participant for many years. As someone who has always enjoyed this sort of activity, Atherton received a black belt and is now drawn to Judo because of its competitive and non-competitive opportunities.
“Many of our participants have never tried Judo before,” Atherton said. “It is really up to them whether or not we use this club as a competitive activity or as a simply something to do non-competitively.”
Right now, there are currently only a handful of regular participants, but the club is attracting interest. Required materials are relatively few and inexpensive. To try out Judo, participants need only to have proper workout apparel. Sweats and long sleeve shirts will do for the first couple of meetings. Students wishing to join the club will need to purchase the Judo Gi, the standard workout uniform, and will have to pay club fees. Gis will cost students 20 dollars and club fees are 20 dollars per semester.
Mike Ferguson, a third degree black belt, is the instructor. He began participating in Judo 24 years ago, while in college, and has continued ever since.
“This is a co-ed activity that anyone can join,” Ferguson said. “If you want to compete, we can compete. There are different weight classes, and different ways this club can go.”
For club members, Judo has become a great way to relieve the stress of college life and learn something new.
“I was always interested in things like karate, but I never got to try it. I heard about Judo club, and decided that it was what I wanted to do,” said club president Melissa Ranker.
Atherton hopes the club membership will continue to rise and more students will become involved.
“I want students to start to think about graduating with their bachelor’s degree and working toward a black belt at the same time,” Atherton said. “It is a form of life-long learning. I promote the other sports on campus but I also realize students will not play them much after graduation. One can play Judo for a lifetime.”
One of Atherton’s main goals of the Judo club is to expand students’ understanding of kinesthetic learning – learning from doing, not simply reading or studying about something.
“Academic types are content to let the people in the gym sweat as much as they want, as long as they read the books before class. I argue, with Howard Gardner, that kinesthetic understanding cannot be translated into books,” Atherton said.
If Judo Club seems like something you may enjoy, try it out soon. Whether you are new to the martial arts or are a Judo master, this club offers something for everyone.