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Sensei Donn Schucker
Sensei Schucker began training in the martial arts in 1964 with his
father, a US Marine MP, and in 1969 began the formal study of judo. During
his competitive career, he was fortunate enough to win many awards and
trophies at the local and regional level, including a Silver Medal from
the Junior Olympics in 1972. After more than three decades of practice,
Sensei was awarded the rank of shichidan (7th degree) in 2001.
Shortly after his introduction to judo,
Sensei began the study of aikijujutsu (which includes aikiken and other
traditional weapons) and then jujitsu. These martial arts offered a more
combat oriented approach to the martial arts that was somewhat neglected
in the judo dojo that stressed mainly the competitive aspect of the
martial arts. He was promoted to the rank of kudan (9th degree) in jujitsu
in 2006 and the rank of hachidan in aikijujutsu in 2003.
Sensei's training also eventually led him to
study karate. He felt that it would be beneficial to learn from a
different viewpoint about the traditional Japanese/Okinawan martial arts.
Since both judo and jujitsu tend to stress the grappling-type techniques
over the striking techniques, Sensei studied karate to expand his
knowledge of the valuable striking tools for
self defense. His study of the striking arts began in 1974, and
continues today.
Sensei Schucker and four other instructors
were honored by being promoted to the rank of Yudansha Taigu in 2005. This
rank is awarded for technical and administrative excellence, and long and
dedicated service to the martial arts. With this promotion to Yudansha
Taigu, Sensei became a member of a very exclusive group of martial
artists, as there are only five holders of this rank known in the United
States.
In 2005, Sensei Schucker
was fortunate enough to compete in the Nationals, and was awarded the
Silver Medal for his performance in the solo forms division. Additionally,
he placed third, and along with his partner Kim Schucker, was awarded the
Bronze Medal in the partner forms division. In the weapons forms division,
Sensei Sam Sutton and Sensei Schucker won the Gold Medal for their
performance of the two-man sword kata, Sekimon. Fortune smiled upon him
again the next year as he was able to retain the National title in weapons
forms competition by bringing home the Gold Medal in 2006.
Over the years, Sensei Schucker has traveled
to various parts of the country to attend seminars and train with top
instructors. In 1997 the opportunity presented itself to travel to Asia,
and he went to both Taiwan and Hong Kong, and to the islands of Java and
Bali in Indonesia to investigate the arts of these areas. In 2000, he
ventured to Korea and other historic martial arts sites such as the
Shaolin Temple situated in the mountains of central China.
Sensei regularly travels
to many locations to conduct seminars and rank evaluations several times
each year. Since 2006 he has been to Washington, Ontario, Michigan,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South
Carolina, Texas, and Oregon.
In 2001, Sensei was appointed to the
position of Director of the USMA International Training Camp. The
following year, he was appointed Chairman of the USMA National Board of
Examiners. This group of high ranking instructors is responsible for the
certification of all ranks and instructor credentials for USMA members
around the world. In 2003, he was appointed USMA Director of Operations
and oversaw virtually all activities of the United States Martial Arts
Association. To help maintain high standards, Sensei appointed several of
his top students to the positions he formerly held.
In 2008, Sensei
Schucker's time with the USMA came to an end
and he formed the SMAA. In order
to lead by example (with regard to verifying
every person’s ability level before registering ranks or presenting
certifications) and maintain the highest
standards possible within the new association, Sensei relinquished all
of his rank as a symbolic gesture and stated the he would accept whatever rank
his seniors deemed appropriate after evaluating him. This took place in
January 2009, and Sensei was confirmed at the rank of hachidan (8th dan) in
Showa Ryu Jujitsu, shichidan (7th dan) in Judo, and shichidan in Kagami Ryu
Aikibugei by our SMAA Yudansha Taigu.
Through the Martial Arts, Sensei has
acquired an interest in Japanese swords as well as Japanese archery. This
has also led to an appreciation for Japanese calligraphy and artwork,
which he has enjoyed for years.
 Sensei
is always quick to point out that while he has done quite a bit in his
martial career, he is only now in his 50s and there is so much more to
do! He is painfully aware of the problems
in the martial arts and has tremendous plans for the future. With the
friendship and support of his colleagues in the arts, great things are on
the horizon! Here is a brief preview of what he has in mind for the SMAA…
Hopefully by about 2011, the SMAA
should be able to obtain about 200 acres in the southern part of Missouri,
and then eventually build a permanent training facility, along with
classrooms, mess hall, dorms, and everything that will be needed for
dedicated martial artists come and to train for as long as they like.
Training will be offered in classical unarmed and armed martial arts as
well as training in modern combatives, both with and without weapons.
Sensei's goal is to make the SMAA the best and
most complete martial arts organization of its kind, and to truly offer
people the chance to participate in all facets of martial skills. And of
course this will be done without the destructive influence of politics,
bias or corruption!
Finally dedicated martial artists will
have a place to come to train and to stay for as long as they like. At
long last all GENUINE and LEGITIMATE martial artists will have a tangible
goal to shoot for, and will be able to see and benefit from the fruits of
our labors.
Donn Schucker, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171
Phone: (314) 606-7306
Email: ds@smaa-martialarts.com
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