Drexel Judo

Black Belt

Tom Blair (Head Coach)
Black Belt (6th)

Protege of Sensei Ishlkawa, former All Japan champion and youngest Kodokan ninth degree black belt. National coach and competitor, trained at National Judo Institute and United States Olympic Center, both of Colorado Springs, Colo. Founder of Greater Philadelphia Judo Alliance. Founder of Main Line Judo. Judo instruction over the last thirty years has included institutions such as Bryn Mawr College, Willamson College, Haverford College, Radnor Township, Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Abington Township, Main Line School Night, Ardmore YMCA, & Berwyn YMCA.

William Dampier (Head Drexel Instructor)
Black Belt (2nd)

I've been practicing martial arts in some form since I was 13 years old. I started in TKD and practiced there for 10 years, competing in numerous state and national level competitions and was promoted to 2nd degree Black Belt. When I started my undergrad at Drexel University I also changed sports from TKD to Judo. I began my training at Judo Club Kano. In early 2003 I started training at the Philadelphia Judo Club, under the instruction of Ray and Ronnie Huxen, Art Beaurgeux and Alma Qualli. I've competed in dozens of local, state, and national level tournaments. Partnered with Alma we've taken 3nd place in the National Nage-no-Kata, 2nd place in the Goshin-Jitsu Kata, 4th in Ju-no-Kata and 4th in Katame-no-Kata. In early 2006 I began practicing with Tom Blaire at Main Line Judo. After the untimely passing of Sam Kurokowa, the former instructor/coach of Drexel Judo, at a judo tournament in the summer of 2008 I have chosen to assist Tom Blaire and Matthew Rossanese from Main Line Judo to continue the Drexel Judo club.

Ho Kwong Kwan (Michael) (Instructor)
Black Belt (2nd)

I have been practicing judo since I was 12 years old in Hong Kong. I started in a secondary school and joined Shatin Judo Club under the instruction Tak Wong Siu who is a 4th degree Black Belt. I got promoted as a 1st degree Black Belt when I was 19 and 2nd degree Black Belt when 30. The interval was so long because I liked to spend more time in tournaments. When I was 26, I practiced at the University of Queensland, Australia. Encouraged by Sam Kurokowa who passed away, I joined the Drexel Judo Club in the spring quarter of 2007.

Matthew Rossanese (Instructor)
Black Belt

My martial arts journey began in 1994 with my pursuit of Hap Ki Do in Chicago. I actively practiced Hap Ki Do for more than a decade and earned a 3rd degree black belt in the process. Hap Ki Do did many things for me, but one of the more important things it did was introduce me to other martial arts including Judo and Kendo. I started Judo training in 1997 with the University of Chicago Judo team. During that time, I also occasionally practiced with the Tohkon Judo Club, also located in Chicago. In 2001, I relocated to New Haven, Connecticut and continued my studies in Hap Ki Do and Judo at Hwang's School of Martial Arts. During my time in New Haven I also started practicing Kendo with the Yale University Kendo Club. In 2005, I relocated to Philadelphia area and dedicated myself to Judo. I started practicing with Main Line Judo and earned my 1st degree black belt under Tom Blair Sensei. I feel very privileged to be one of Blair Sensei's students.

Lynn Wark (Instructor)
Black Belt

I started Judo at Michigan State University and after graduation in 1973 and moving to Philadelphia, continued with Ishikawa Sensei at his dojo on north Broad Street. In 1974 I discontinued judo due to a back injury and returned to Judo in 1996 by taking classes at Main Line Judo. As a Sankyu (Brown Belt) I started teaching first level students in 1998. Awarded my Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) in 2003 at age 57. I met Sam Kurokawa when he joined Main Line Judo and was privileged to start teaching with him at the Japanese Language School located on the Friends Central Campus on City Line Avenue and finally to work with him in starting the Drexel Judo Club.

Brown Belt

Alex Ryberg
Brown Belt (2nd)

Started Judo in New York while in high school. After 8 months began attending Drexel University and joined the Drexel Judo club (unofficial at the time). After a year, was appointed President of the club by Sam Kurokawa. Judo offers a pause to surrounding life, while reaching a peaceful balance in life through the philosophy of Judo. As time goes on, more Judo philosophies are translated towards every-day life. As president, I view the goal of the club to be led towards continual growth of the club, enfore the basic philosophies as were expressed by Sam Kurokawa and remember him by paying respect to his hard work and success. I highly thank all those who have helped the recent transition of the club towards this desired direction.

Sarah Block (Club President)
Brown Belt

I began taking kempo classes at Drexel in early 2008 with no prior martial arts experience. After being informed there were additional classes offered during the week, I began to show up to said classes. To my surprise they were not kempo classes, but instead, judo classes. It turned out I actually liked judo and decided to continue showing up. In June of 2008 I picked up my yellow belt and then of course had to go buy a gi. I didn't like the color yellow so Dec. of 2008 I was presented with an orange belt. In early 2009 I was entrusted with the title "publicity officer" but will demolish anyone who calls me P.O. Block.

Marko Jacovic
Brown Belt

Born of pages torn from ancient phone books, Marko Jacovic (14) became the second youngest student (only to his younger brother Stevan) to be admitted by Grand Master Soon-Ho Chang (7th Dan) into his school's judo program. After three years of training, both Marko and his brother switched to the Zhang Sah school in Center City. Under the instruction of Salvatore Sandone, a student of Grand Master Chang, Marko continued to practice Judo as a way of life, rather than stressing competition. In January of 2008, Marko, his brother, and their close friend Neil Schaaf achieved the sankyu rank. Due to several different circumstances, Marko took an extended break from Judo in the early summer of 2008. As a new freshman, he was fortunate enough to come across the Drexel Judo Club where he was able to return to Judo. After attending a rigorous CPR and First Aid session in January of 2009, Marko was appointed as a Safety Officer for the Drexel Judo Team, an honor which he still holds and cherishes today. Despite this title, Marko still remains humble enough to allow close friends to refer to him by simply his first name.

Nishi Patel
Brown Belt

Nishi was born under glorious circumstances in a small, remote village in India. Moments after his birth, the first drops of rain fell on the dessicated fields, ending a 5 year drought and bringing joy to the people of his village, who praised him as a messenger of the gods and recognized him as one destined for great things, and celebrated his birth with a week of feasting. After some time, Nishi made his way to America to spread his message of greatness beyond his tiny village. In his middle school career, Nishi began to practice Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, and eventually achieved a black belt in the former prior to his arrival at Drexel University. In his freshman year, he was introduced to the true love of his life by Sam Kurokawa: Judo. Indeed Nishi's passion for Judo is exceeded only by his greatness. After 2 and a half years of studying Judo, Nishi's aspires to attain such mastery of Judo and become so skilled that the Kodokan bans him from competition for being too good and the World Anti Doping Agency considers it cheating to possess DNA that is remotely similar to his.

Green Belt

Joan Burger
Green Belt

Practiced jiu-jitsu (traditional and some Brazilian) for ~2years. Holds a 2nd degree brown belt in kempo, after practicing 4-5 years. Started judo in October 2005, as one of the original club members under Kurokawa-sensei, and hopes to continue his legacy, and the pursuit and study various martial arts, and the various ideals and benefits that come with, as well as share those things with others on and off the mat, in and out of the dojo.

Rehman Qureshi
Green Belt

Jennifer Scanlon (Club Treasurer)
Green Belt

Orange Belt

Patty Barsallo
Orange Belt

Joseph Crowley
Orange Belt

Lex Fridman
Orange Belt

Wrestled in middle school, high school (1996-2001). Isshin-Ryu karate (1997-2000) achieving third degree brown belt. Amateur boxing (2006-2008), 4-0-0 record in competition. BJJ white belt (Sept 2008). Judo yellow belt (Sept 2008).