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Master Soo began his Korean Karate career in 1967,
when he joined Master
Sang Kyu Shim’s Detroit Tang Soo Do Association. His
first instructor there was
a gentleman by the name of
Dale Drouillard who was a 3rd Dan. A
couple of years after he began training, at age 15,
Master Soo was awarded his Black Belt by Master
Shim. He also formally began his teaching career in
Korean Karate at that time. Master Soo continued
teaching and training under the direction of Master
Shim until 1973 when he moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan
to attend Western Michigan University (WMU).
In
Kalamazoo, he met Master Mike March (3rd
Dan at the time), head of the WMU Karate
Club. Fortunately, the WMU Karate club was a Tang
Soo Do club, so Master Soo began training with
Master March and the rest is history! Master March
was ranked amongst the top fighters and hyung
competitors in the country by magazines such as
Karate Illustrated and Black Belt at the
time. Master Soo has been training with Master March
pretty much ever since and also had a successful
competitive career in the Mid-West. Master Soo feels
honored to be associated with men such as Masters
Shim, Drouillard and March!
In
2007, Master Soo began his 40th year in
Korean Karate! Even today, he personally teaches at
least 10 classes per week with students of all ranks
and ages (4 years old and up). Master Soo also
conducts seminars on the many aspects of Tang Soo Do
and Ho Sin Sul. Even today, he continues to train
with (and is personal friends with) Tang Soo Do
legends such as Grand Masters Kang Uk Lee, Chung Il
Kim and Dale Drouillard. At age 54, Master Soo
shows no signs of slowing down, he still enjoys
getting into the Do Jang and getting a good work out
with the rest of his students and instructors. He
says that his Tang Soo Do training was, and still
is, one of the most positive influences in his life
and he is passionate about spreading that word to
anyone who will listen!
Tang Soo Master Soo! |
