Iowa State University Hapkido Club - Club Info

Instructors

Grandmaster Pak

Master Yong Chin Pak has devoted his entire life to the mastery and teaching of the Korean martial arts. After being elected college president of the Student Governing Body, receiving high grades, graduating with a 4-year diploma from Yong In University (the former Korean Judo College), and serving as a Korean Secret Service self-defense instructor, Master Pak left Korea to come to the United States in November 1971.

In 1973, he began instructing Taekwondo, Judo, and HapKiDo at Iowa State University, where he quickly established himself as a major figure in this country's martial arts community. He has been a self-defense instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, the Ames Police Department, and the ISU Police.

Master Pak has taught upwards of 35,000 students the benefits of self-defense while at Iowa State University. His dedication to self-defense reflects great credit upon himself, the martial arts and Iowa State University. His collegiate Taekwondo team regularly places 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in national competition held each year. Since coming to the United States, he has received the NCTA Coach of the Year Award three times and numerous other awards for his dedication and service. In 1983, he received the Amoco Outstanding Teachers Award (Iowa State University) and internationally coached the United States team in the Pan-American Taekwondo Championships and the Goodwill Games with Mexico and the Ukraine. In 1986, Master Pak was elected President of the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) and still holds this position. In 1993, he was the recipient of the Faculty Citation Award by the Iowa State University for long, outstanding and inspiring service.

Master Pak currently instructs the collegiate martial arts program at Iowa State University. Two options are provided for the students:

1. Daytime physical education courses taken for credit
2. Evening extra-curricular clubs

Along with the impressive number of students that have learned under Master Pak, several of his black belts have established their own community martial arts centers upon graduating from ISU. Over 40 branch schools are now operating under Master Pak's guidance and direction in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota.

Assistant Instructors/Black Belts

• Master Stephen "Crazy Legs" Pohl
• Dr. Mani "Old Man" Mina
• Isaac "Man of Destiny" Couture
• Todd "Bill Red Leg" Klindt
• Rachel "Platinum" Thompson
• Ben "Phoenix" Thompson
• Teresa "Fists of Fury" Obr
• Joshua "The Natural" Robinson

Fight names courtesy of Isaac