After receiving an e-mail from the MSU Karate Club, Stacey Ninemeier thought she was getting into an aerobics class.
But she was instantly assured otherwise.
“This is not an aerobics class, and this is not a Tae Bo class. You’re gonna punch, you’re gonna kick, and you’re gonna work,” said Bruce Henderson, one of the class instructors.
After the first round of warm-ups, Ninemeier, a supply chain management graduate student, thought she would be tired, but she was ready for more after taking a swig of water.
“I caught a glimpse of the other class before me, and they looked really tired,” Ninemeier said. “But it’s different than I expected.”
The MSU Karate Club, established in 1962, is one of the oldest martial arts clubs in the nation. The club teaches the principles of Tang Soo Do, a Korean style of martial arts. The club meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at IM Sports-West.
“In this style, we do a lot of kicking and punching,” said Henderson, who has been an instructor at MSU since 1964.
The club has recently increased efforts to build interest with students. Instructors are often seen passing out fliers in high-traffic areas, and e-mails are sent to Pilot accounts regularly. Henderson said everyone is welcome, no matter what level of experience they have.
“A lot of people take karate lessons as kids, but when they get to college it’s not there. That’s what we’re here for,” Henderson said.
“But we’d like to get as many new kids in here as well,” he added.
Finance freshman Nate Bluestein said he was always interested in karate, but never took any classes. After two lessons, he said he was hooked.
“I’m extremely interested in it, especially learning to defend myself on a big campus,” he said.
Since joining the club in the beginning of the semester, Bluestein said he’s progressed pretty well.
Based on their level of skill, participants who join the club are placed in a 10-level ranking system, 10 being the lowest. Bluestein is currently an eight.
“The success is when you see a new students next to the old students, and you see how much they’ve improved in one semester,” said Jason McAleer, another instructor and an MSU alumnus.
Supply chain management junior Kristin McDonough is in her third year with the club, and knows the benefits it has to offer.
“It’s good for self-defense, strength and it helps get my aggression out,” she said. “Whenever I come here, I’m so motivated.”
For more information, go to www.msu.edu/dept/imsports/karate.htm.
