Written by 2:50 pm Sports

Everybody was Conn-Fu Fighting

Our martial arts club at Conn is one of the oldest groups on campus, so I decided to meet with the presidents to see what they are all about.

Illustration by Sam Mauck.

To me, martial arts has always been a rather mysterious and exciting activity. At its most basic level, it is the fundamentals and intricacies of how to fight someone, but there is a lot more to it than that. Our martial arts club at Conn is one of the oldest groups on campus, so I decided to meet with the presidents, Sam Field ’12 and Patrick McGrath ’12, in Oasis to see what they are all about.

The club is divided into two sections: the “formal” classes, taught by instructors and the “informal” classes, which are run by student teachers.  One of the formal classes is Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art taught by Master Brazee who the club pays to teach twice a week.  There is also Aikido taught by Catherine White ’14. “Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses of self defense and harmony which is learned primarily through doing techniques, exercises and meditation,” explains White. “Then we dive into learning the techniques; for each class I like to teach two or three techniques that have some common thread between them, be it footwork, attack or fall.” Additionally, this class focuses on more than just the skills themselves. “Right before the end of class, we discuss what we learned, how each technique was connected, and what skills were practiced that day. If time permits, we do a few minutes of zen meditation,” says White. Both of these classes are part of larger martial arts organizations, and when they graduate, students may go to any dojo across the country, and continue their training.

On Sunday, McGrath teaches kickboxing, judo and karate – basically whatever he and the students want to do.  Right after that, Field and Jim O’Connor ’13 teach wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Will Smith ’13 teaches a mixed martial arts-jiu-jitsu-Muay Thai class each Wednesday. What is all that, you ask?  Jiu-jitsu focuses on joint locks and throws. Muay Thai is a variation of kickboxing from Thailand, and the rest of it you will have to find out yourself.  “We also teach self defense classes periodically for whoever is interested,” Field says.

The club is always looking to expand, and if there is anyone with a martial arts history who wants to teach a class, the club is there to provide them with a venue to do so.  “We want to stress that all the classes are open to everyone, no matter what their skill level; students, teachers, faculty, whoever,” Field says.  “We welcome everyone.”  The club has about forty members at the moment and the Coast Guard martial arts club comes over regularly to join in classes.  “One of the things I enjoy is teaching people who are new to martial arts,” McGrath says.  “When you’re teaching the basics you see something new every time that you didn’t notice before,” adds Field. McGrath agrees and takes it even further, “Basics are the best part. This is also the cheapest instruction you’ll ever find your whole life.  The informal classes are free, and the formal ones are about twenty dollars each semester for the belt tests.”  A good martial arts program can cost thousands of dollars and the Conn program provides you with the same level of instruction for free.  “Compared to what you’d have to pay a dojo outside of Conn, it’s nothing,” Field says.  Conn pays all the instructor fees, and whatever other money is needed the club raises itself through periodic bake sales and Super Smash Brothers tournaments

Throughout high school, I spent a lot amount of time training at a small family-owned Kung Fu dojo in southern New Hampshire. I connected strongly with the close community, the friendship and the philosophy that martial arts is about keeping yourself and others healthy, safe and disciplined.  After speaking with Field and McGrath, I recognized that same approach to martial arts at Conn.  “I obviously really enjoy training and learning, and the club is a great way to exchange martial arts knowledge,” Field explains. McGrath adds, “My goal is to give people what I got out of this club, because I’m a completely different martial artist now.  If I could share some portion of that with other people… I guess that’s my goal.” •

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