In
the year of 1958, at the age of 8, Master Engard started his journey
in the Martial Arts. Only a few movies were out at that time and
they were never in the English language, but all the high kicks
and flashy moves fascinated Mr. Engard. There was a martial arts
demonstration at Mr. Engard’s elementary school and because of
this Mr. Engard was hooked. He was fortunate that there was an
instructor that taught Tae Kwon Do fairly close to his home and
was allowed to take class.
It
was a very “traditional” type of class where the newest student
had to sweep and clean the floors before each practice. Discipline,
honor, and respect were taught, which Mr. Engard has continued
to teach to this day. The instructor did not take it easy just
because he was young. In those days, most students were adults,
only a handful was children. Mr. Engard was hooked. As he grew,
so did his desire for the martial arts. Not only did he learn
self-defense techniques along with forms and fighting, he also
learned the essence of the martial arts. Belt advancement was
not like we have today. There were only 6 belts to become a Black
Belt. Promotion tests were hard and very physical. His instructor
would not promote a student to Black Belt until they were at least
16 years of age and the younger a student was; the harder it was
to get promoted. At the age of 17, Mr. Engard proudly was promoted
to Black Belt. Although during his school years Mr. Engard played
many sports, he still found time to train 3-5 days a week. The
martial arts had become a way of life to him, as it has for many
martial artists over the years. Mr. Engard’s instructor allowed
him to teach basics to the beginners at the age of 15, and with
this Mr. Engard had found his calling. Mr. Engard had decided
he wanted to have his own school and teach his own students one
day.
In 1971, Mr. Engard opened his first school, Engard School of
Karate in Galion, Ohio. The second school was opened in Bucyrus,
Ohio in 1972. The third school was opened in Upper Sandusky in
1973. In 1976 the fourth school was opened in Mansfield, Ohio.
Actively competing throughout the country on the “Open” circuit
as they used to call it, Mr. Engard gained the nickname “Animal”.
Mr. Engard won many awards in forms, fighting, and weapons. Therefore
Animals Karate Club was formed in 1973 combining the 3 schools.
This name stayed until 1990 when Grand Master Engard formed and
developed his own system called the American Tae Kwon Do Systems.
Having studied Hapkido and Kenpo over the years and receiving
Black Belts in each discipline, Mr. Engard has developed a unique
combination of self-defense. Mr. Engard has realized that no one
style was better than another and that combining the three styles
gave the student a greater chance of defending themselves. Being
that Mr. Engard’s highest Black Belt rank is in Tae Kwon Do, he
has maintained the Tae Kwon Do identification. Mr. Engard also
has studied Kendo and Tai Chi and uses some of these methods in
his teachings. Mr. Engard also had formed the “Power Union Kickboxing
Club” which has produced many champions over the years including
women as well as men. Mr. Engard has had the pleasure of training
under some well known instructors such as Il Ju Kim, Tong Choo
Choi, Gary Harris, George Anderson, Bob Chaney, Kip Soo Han, Robert
Pildredge, Anthony Palum, Soke Jake Allen as well as Master Chuck
Norris during his years of training to name just a few. Mr. Engard
has organized and directed tournaments that have had Billy Blanks,
Cynthia Rothrock, Woody Fairbanks, Jay T. Will, Al Gene Caraluia,
Dennis Janes, James Cook, Jacque Tarr, Mickey Scodova, Mike Hixson
Sr., Mike Hixson Jr., in attendance. Mr. Engard has sponsored
events with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace and also Kathy Long. Mr.
Engard published Ohio Karate Magazine in the early 70’s that had
many well known martial artists contributing articles to the publication.
Mr. Engard and his Black Belts have also produced a video of a
script written by one of his students. Mr. Engard says the memories
of all these years in the martial arts are truly unforgettable.
He also says the memories are still in the making. Martial arts
training are a journey and the good times and even the bad times
form one’s character.
In
the 34 years of having his own schools, Mr. Engard has had the
privilege of promoting 74 of his students to the rank of Black
Belt, which is a testimony to his teachings. Some are teaching
their own schools to this day. Mr. Engard is very proud of these
accomplishments above all others he has achieved. Mr. Engard feels
the true measure of how good an instructor is how well his students
have learned. Mr. Engard realizes he himself is still learning
and striving to better himself in the martial arts. Mr. Engard
reminds his students often that he does not have all the answers.
Mr. Engard believes that the instructor makes the difference between
a good student and a bad student. He encourages his students to
check other instructors out and see what and how they teach and
gain any knowledge that is offered. All certificates of rank and
accomplishments of Grand Master Engard’s are available for verification.
Please contact Mr. Engard for any information desired.
