Dear Members,

Our first summer camp without Mr. Lieb has come and gone.  In spite of Mr. Lieb’s noted absence among us, I feel the camp preserved his wishes, honored his memory, and was a big success for several reasons.

First and most importantly, the senior black belts attending the camp were united in their desire to continue our Founder’s legacy.

Secondly, they were unanimous in selecting me as the new chief instructor, which followed in line with Mr. Lieb’s wishes.  (I’ll talk more about this in a moment.)

Third, our black belt meeting was conducted in a democratic manner with civility and respect.  Some had concerns that there would be difficulties because of contentious issues that had been raised.  Those concerns were laid to rest and the majority’s consensus prevailed.

Fourth, we had a great seminar with Kyoshi Anthony Marquez from California.  In addition to his instructions in the use of the Bo, Sensei Reinecke and I also had a long discussion with him about future directions for the AKS.  Kyoshi’s insights along these lines were eye opening to say the least.  Fred even referred to it as having had an epiphany the following day over coffee.

When an organization loses its founder, turf battles potentially erupt over who should lead the headless organization.   This can result in an organization dissolving.  The legacies the founders endeavored to create can be lost because of petty personality squabbles and oversized egos.  In the case of the AKS, Mr. Lieb had made his desire known to all.  Because of our mutual love and respect for him, we all united in seeing his wishes come to pass.  For my part the experience has been humbling.  Those who were present at the promotion ceremony at the beginning of the summer camp saw how it affected me emotionally.  Sensei Reinecke said as he presented me my certificate it would be the last one I would ever receive.  For me it was the first one of seven in over 34 years that didn’t have my friend and mentor’s signature on it.

Congratulations are also in order for Mr. Dave Thomas who is our newest 8th Dan.  He will assist Mr. Reinecke and me in leading our organization as an assistant chief instructor.  During the black belt meeting, it was made clear by those present that they wanted the three of us to run the AKS.  Also promoted were Mr. John Folsom to 7th Dan, Mr. Brian Greynolds to 4th Dan, and Mr. Lonnie Sprouse to 4th Dan.  Mr. Rand “Skip” Palmer was presented his 5th Dan certificate for his promotion that had taken place last Fall.  It’s important to note that Mr. Folsom is the longest active AKS member, having started with Mr. Lieb during the 1960s.  Mr. Folsom and I are the only two remaining original members of the thirteen heads of karate clubs who in 1973 joined with Mr. Lieb to form our organization.  Mr. Folsom is also the only regional director with multiple schools under his leadership.

During the black belt meeting it was decided we would begin working towards conducting two regional seminars each year, in addition to the annual summer camp.  Work is already in progress to set one up in West Virginia in November, with the second to take place in Toledo, Ohio in the Spring.  This will allow Mr. Reinecke, Mr. Thomas, and myself to attend more than one training session a year with our members, depending on our respective schedules.  In this manner, we will be able to meet and get to know many more of our members.  Speaking for the three of us, we look forward to being able to train with more of you over the coming months and years so we can share our knowledge and skills with you, as well as become more familiar with the needs of our members.  As locations grow other seminars will be planned in other parts of our country.

In closing, I feel Mr. Lieb would be very proud of his students and organization for the manner in which we have pulled together.  The black belt meeting and seminars scheduled were held and conducted in a timely and orderly fashion.  The social at Dave and Robin Thomas’ home was enjoyable and allowed those present to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.  The united efforts to work towards continuing Mr. Lieb’s legacy were solidified, along with the desire to improve and grow the AKS in coming years.  To all who participated thank you.  To those who were unable to attend, we look forward to seeing you at one of the regional seminars.

Mike Sullenger 9th Dan
Chief Instructor

The Importance of Mentoring

Over my many years of teaching martial arts I’ve always made an effort to address more than just the physical aspects of the training.  I’ve coupled the development of good skills and mechanics in kicking and punching with a proper attitude and outlook towards the future.  On Friday, August 31, 2007, a former student I had not seen in some thirty years and I were reunited.  When we last saw each other, David Aguilar had been selected to enter the United States Border Patrol.  He was somewhat anxious about leaving home as are most young people.  It’s not easy to leave the comfort and security of what you know, to enter places and situations you don’t know.  I told David he had a wonderful opportunity in front of him.  I explained that a door had opened that would allow him to accomplish whatever he would set his sights on.  Little did I know he would on day become of the Chief of the whole U.S. Border Patrol.

David and I were able to get back in touch with each about two years ago via e-mail.  He shared with me the influence I had with him, both from the stand point of the four years of karate training, but also the fatherly advice about being a responsible citizen and making the best of the opportunities that would present themselves.  I was interested in the possibility of him coming to the college campus where I now teach to share this with my government students, as well as anyone else would care to listen.  After working with his aide Tim Sullivan arrangements were made and the wheels were set in motion.

Chief Aguilar spoke that Friday before a group of nearly 200 students and faculty at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, Texas where I’m in my seventh year as an associate professor.  He told them of his years growing up in South Texas along the border when he would pick fruit or produce on weekends to make some extra money.  The experiences he told the students about were those many could relate to. His example to them of the American Dream in persona and role model could not have been better.

What does this tell us about being teachers?  It clearly indicates we each have a responsibility to help our students focus on their physical and mental abilities; to prepare them for life as an adult in our American society.  We must instill in them the importance to be the best they can be, whether competing in the ring or as a functioning member of our citizenry.  Sadly, most of us won’t know whether we had a positive impact on our students.  I can tell you the satisfaction I have received from knowing the part I played in David’s life is not quantifiable.  I can also say how blessed I feel in having been able to learn about his feelings regarding our early relationship and his views about its impact his life in a way that assisted in his success.

When I first put on a black belt, it never occurred to me the importance of my actions as an instructor, nor that I would be able to influence the lives of others.  As I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realize the importance of my actions, as well as the responsibility I had taken upon myself as I taught others who looked up to me as a role model and mentor.  Each of you must be aware of this each and every time you step on the floor of the dojo to teach other.  Take the responsibility seriously.  Follow the guidance about leading by example and ensuring the example you are setting is a proper one.  If you do, you may well have the opportunity one day to experience the wonderful feeling of satisfaction I have in knowing the positive impact you had on someone else’s’ life.

In humbleness and respect,

Mike Sullenger, 9th Dan
Chief Instructor.

PS – If you look on my bio page about half way down is a clipping from a local newspaper in May of 1975 that shows me standing in the background with three of my students.  As you look at the picture from left to right are David Aguilar, Joe Gonzalez, and Candy Arteaga.   Seeing that picture reminded David how long he used to wear his hair.

Did you know ?? . . . a 14lb cat can jump through a double paned bay window and emerge "unscathed?" I'm here to tell you, it can, AND IT DID!


Our little darling, a two year old Ragdoll cat, by the name of Misty Blue, gets quite hyper when engaged in playful romping with our youngest son (23 years old).

Whatever possessed her to run full tilt to the top of her cat perch (what she's laying on in front of the bay window) and launch herself through the window will forever remain an amazing mystery to us.  I can only say,

HERE's the evidence:

Looking out from living room.

Most of the glass went out along with kitty.

"Knucklehead" (my husband's name for her now) was just fine - only a few splinters of glass in the fur on her tail.

She immediately ran up the front steps and waited by the door for us to let her in.

Another mystery here. . . she's an "indoor" kitty and has never been outside.  How she knew to wait at the door is something we'll never know.

My point here is I guess the fact that our minds determine our limits.  If you can focus your mind to another limit, you will overcome the "perceived" immediate obstruction.

Breathe deeply and FOCUS your power.