Simpson offers affordable martial arts classes
Posted by The Skyliner on February 25th, 2009James Turner
Staff Writer
Born from other ancient forms of Chinese martial arts hundreds of years ago, karate has migrated across the world and become a popular hobby, sport and form of self defense in the United States.
Now it has found its way to North Greenville University. Brandon Simpson, men’s housing coordinator at NGU, decided its about time students were given the option to learn, so he began teaching a class.
“I enjoyed it in college,” Simpson said when asked why he decided to start teaching karate to NGU students. “And because nothing like that was really offered close by that was affordable to college students.”
Men’s housing coordinator Brandon Simpson instructs self-defense classes in the Todd Dining Hall that are open to any and all students. The North Greenville University students picture aboved are among the first group of students to take advantage of the new cuong nhu classes. (Photo by: Jereme Green/ The Skyliner)
The class began halfway through the fall semester of 2009 and has been growing steadily since—some go, and others come in to take their places.
“I really prefer people with no experience because you don’t have to unlearn things or relearn things or do things differently from what someone else taught you to do,” Simpson said, commenting on the variety of students he had taught in the past. Even so, he extends his expertise and his classes to men and women of all experience levels and welcomes everyone who has a desire to learn more of the ancient martial art.
Although excited about the prospect of a growing karate class at North Greenville, Simpson admits the class is not without its snags.
“When you have new students coming in all the time, then you’re always having to go back to square one,” Simpson said. “So it’s hard to keep everyone on the same page.”
Still, he is confident that the wrinkles will soon be smoothed out and hopes that the class will be able to progress efficiently for everyone involved.
Another benefit of Simpson’s class is its compatibility with college students’ funds.
“Right now it’s just the cost of a uniform [$20],” Simpson said. “But if we can keep it going then there will be club dues that’ll be about $20 a semester.”
In order to officially compete however, there will also be a $45 annual fee to join the national association, but such membership is, “Only for those who want to test,” Simpson said.
Compared to the rates of Alliance Jui-jitsu in Greenville which, according to Simpson is $80 per month, or of Upstate Karate in Simpsonville, which reach up to $110 or more per month, Simpson’s rates are a dream for college students. In Simpson’s own words, “It’s just about nothing.”
The class begins every Monday and Thursday night in the cafeteria and lasts from 8:30-10:00. Anyone with questions about the class or who is at all interested in karate for self defense, or just as a hobby, should contact Brandon Simpson or stop by his office because, as Simpson said, “It’s open to everybody.”