Building an Instructor
My name is Jacob Kuznicki. I grew up in the small town of Rogers City (35 miles North of Alpena). My interest in martial arts started at a very young age. When I was 5 or 6 my dad made me a small pair of nunchuks (nunchaku). I would beat myself silly trying to swing those things.
My formal martial arts training really started when I was 12 and I was a junior-high wrestler in Rogers City (1989-1990). Most people don’t think of wrestling as a martial art, but then what is Judo.
The next year (December 1990) I found that there was a karate school in the Rogers City area, and being intrigued by the kicking and jumping (typical teenage boy) I began my training in Tang Soo Do (Korean karate). Master Instructor Khiet Ritter was my first karate instructor. Master Khiet taught us the techniques and traditions of Tang Soo Do, while Master Khiet’s father, John (who was blind), taught us to understand the world around us and how to sharpen our awareness.
I earned my first belt in March 1991, and I earned my black belt in July 1995. Those years of training could not be forgotten.
Shortly after earning my black belt I started assistant teaching at regular classes under Master Khiet’s guidance, and running a Saturday morning class on my own. I did this for about a year, but I had moved to Alpena and the commute was becoming too draining and costly (by this time I was taking college classes and working).
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Between summer 1996 and early 2002 I was not attending a martial arts class regularly, but I was far from not training. I would work with my younger brother who has trained with me from the start. I also trained with Bob McKay and his group, and I learned some lessons from a tough old Judo instructor from Tawas who would come to Alpena to work with Bob McKay (I wish I could remember his name). At one point I took a 16 week course in Tai Chi. I also did a lot of independent study of the arts, including reading “Tao of Jeet Kune Do” (Bruce Lee) and “The Way of the Master” (Sang H. Kim Ph.D.). Plus I was still swinging those nunchaku (not so painfully by this time).
In early 2002 (I believe that it was February) I discovered that Sensei Alan LaCross was back to teaching in Alpena. Sensei LaCross taught Tang Soo Do in Alpena in the early 90s and I had heard about him back then.
I trained at Alan LaCross Martial Arts (ALMA) with fellow black belts Tim and Brian Schepke, and Iain Cook. As well as training with some very talented black belts, I had the opportunity to work with and teach some fantastic colored belt students.
During the time I spent training and teaching at ALMA, I had many opportunities to meet and train with many impressive martial artists. I had the opportunity to spar with tournament champions such as Master Instructor Zack Burns of New World Karate, and I received pointers on weapons training from Maha Guro “Buzz” Smith (5th degree black belt of the Pilipino art Kuntaw).
In early 2005, 4 of us black belts requested the opportunity to advance to 2nd Dan (2nd degree black belt). Sensei LaCross approved, and we agreed to train for a year to prepare for the test.
Eight months into training for our test, Sensei LaCross approached me and asked if I would test for 3rd Dan (3rd degree black belt). He was impressed by my talent, focus, and dedication to learning and teaching Tang Soo Do.
On February 18, 2006 I tested for and earned my 3rd Dan. The test was judged by Sensei Alan LaCross and Master Instructor Zack Burns.
As time went on Sensei LaCross was changing his focus to be more geared for sport fighting. I have always been more interested in learning and teaching traditional Tang Soo Do, and the practical application of the art. And so, in August 2007, I and five others decided to leave ALMA.
After months of planning and training at the Thunder Bay Recreational Center, 3 of us decided to develop a club that would align more with our interests, and ideals.
In January 2008 Diana Ghiata, Suni Speaks, and myself (Jacob Kuznicki) opened Northern Tiger Karate Club.
I assure you that this is not the end of the story. I will be continuing my training and aspiring to achieve perfection in my art. A goal that will keep me ever motivated.
If there is one thing that I have learned from my years of training it is this:
“View every problem as a challenge; and every challenge as an opportunity.”