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MASTERS HALL OF FAME THANK YOU . . .
The Masters Hall of Fame has just finished its 10th Year Anniversary celebration that was held in conjunction with the Long Beach International Martial Arts Festival and Competition. What a great weekend of events . . . My hats off to the IKC staff on the success of their tournament.
The Masters Hall of Fame event was a star studded event with Jeff Speakman from “Lethal Weapon”; Taimak Guarriello from "The Last Dragon", Fabian Carrillo from “Double Tap”; Don “THE DRAGON” Wilson, Eleven time World Kick Boxing Champion and Action Movie Star; Grandmaster Robert Parham, Five time World Kickboxing Champion; Grandmaster Eric Lee, accredited with winning more National and International awards than any other martial artist in the United States; Grandmaster Benny "THE JET" Urquidez, Five time World Kickboxing Champion, Grandmaster John Natividad, part of the United States Championship Karate Team, who won every team event they fought. This team was featured in the film "New Gladiators" financed by Elvis Presley; members from Sony Pictures looking for a new action movie star; Isaac Florentine, action films director; the Seven time World Karate Champion Grandmaster Eric “LIONMAN” O'Neal, Sr.; The Legendary Grandmaster Fred Brewster; Kenpo Ambassador Ed Parker Jr.; Professor Bob White . . . and the list could go on . . .
The stars came out to honor the Masters Hall of Fame Inductees who have spent their lives in dedication to the betterment of the Martial Arts Community. The Masters Hall of Fame success is predicated on long held tradition in the Martial Arts of respecting and honoring leadership in the Martial Arts community.
The Masters Hall of Fame Leadership starts with the Special Council to the Masters Hall of Fame, who were appointed based on their long lasting service to the martial arts community. Their primary responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the Masters Hall of Fame and guide the Masters Executive Leadership Team. The members of Special Council to the Masters Hall of Fame are:
'Ôlohe Solomon Kaihewalu
Grandmaster Eric Lee
Sifu N. Neil Hardin
Shihan Alfred Urquidez -Special Executive to the Ambassadors' Council.
The success of any event also takes a group of hard working individuals to make the Masters Hall of Fame operate. Our "Ambassadors" are responsible for each of the Masters Hall of Fame Inductee Nominations. The Ambassadors are:
Shihan Dana Abbott
Shihan Brent Ambrose
Shihan Jeff Anderson
Sensei Thomas Boganski
Shihan Anthony Calvino
Grandmaster Craig Carter
Kancho Sam Combes
Sifu Steve Cooper
Professor Carlos de Léon
Master Robert Deahl
Grandmaster Eugene Fodor
Sifu N. Neil Hardin
Soke Alonzo Jones
Sigung Robert L. Jones
Ôlohe Solomon Kaihewalu
Grandmaster Eric Lee
Grandmaster Eric O'Neal
Grandmaster Robert Parham
Shihan Robert Posslenzny
Shihan Lou Salseda
Hanshi Dan Sawyer
Sensei Dana Stamos
Grandmaster Mark Shuey
Shihan Alfred Urquidez
Doshu Ed Wilkes
Shihan Gregg Wooldridge
Master Anthony Zimkowski
All of the Ambassadors are senior practitioners in the Martial Arts, and have significant influence in the Martial Arts Community.
I would be remiss not to mention the many Dojo Brothers, and students who were working behind the scenes to make this event successful:
Shihan Paul Hayes, Director of Technology
Sensei Jeff Walker, Director of Event Security
Jim Koch, Photographer
Pamla Manazer, Event Assistant
Pat Longwell, Event Assistant
Royce Bell, Event Assistant
Sensei Wes Watkins, Event staff
Sensei Bob Smith, Event staff
Sensei Paul Willett, Event staff
Michelle Willett, Event staff
Angela Jackson, Event staff
Sonja Riffle, Event staff
Katharine Tompkin, Event staff
Megan Hect, Event staff
Aubrey Hernandez, Event staff
Joyce Johnson, Event staff
Krystal Huff, Event staff
On behalf of the Masters Hall of Fame Executives:
Soke David Dye, President
Sifu Lyn Walker, Senior Vice President of Operations
Master Steve Cooper, Vice President of Tournament Relations
Grandmaster Eric O’Neal, Vice President of Marketing
Grandmaster Gregg Wooldridge Vice President of Alumni Relations
I wanted to extend my sincere thanks to each of you for your extraordinary help at this years Masters Hall of Fame. I deeply appreciate your professionalism, patience and the tone you set for our guests. You are a credit to the Martial Arts Community and our organization!
Once again, my sincere 'thank you' for a job well done!
Sincerely,
Hanshi Daniel Hect
CEO, Masters Hall of Fame
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