History
The purpose of the Drexel Karate Club (DXKC) is to teach traditional Shotokan karate to all interested undergraduates of Drexel University, and the club accepts any individual interested in karate regardless of gender or level of previous experience. The intercollegiate team is selected from these undergraduates and represents Drexel University in local, regional, and national competition.
The Drexel Karate Club was founded in 1968 by Master Teruyuki Okazaki. Master Okazaki studied under both Master Funakoshi, and Master Nakayama. In 1994, Cheif Instructor James Sim (class of 88) and Assistant Instructor Harvey Coon (class of 89) inherited the club. That same year Ms. Rita LaRue (Senior Associate Vice President of Business Operations) joined as the faculty advisor.
The Drexel Karate Club has produced many national championship teams since 1988 and every member of each of those teams began their martial arts training at the Drexel Karate Club with no previous experience.
Shotokan karate, a Japanese style, is an empty-handed art of self-defense in which the arm and legs are systematically trained and an enemy attacking by surprise can be controlled by a demonstration of strength like that of using actual weapons. Karate-do is a martial art for the development of character through training, so that the karate-ka can surmount any obstacle, tangible or intangible. Deciding who is the winner and who is the loser is not the ultimate objective.
The Drexel Karate Club provides regular classes at which students are taught Shotokan karate in a traditional environment. In addition to the physical advantages of training, which include a complete aerobic and anaerobic total body workout, and increase strength and flexibility, karate help students increase their levels of concentration and spirit as well as helping to develop self-confidence and focus.
In addition to regular classes, which are year round including finals weeks and term breaks, the Drexel Karate Club takes part on university events offering additional training in the practical areas of self-defense; in particular, women's self-defense.