Renowned martial artists hold camp

By Laura Pelner
Summer Reporter

Some of the biggest names in the martial arts world will be on campus this weekend as part of the Superfoot 2000 summer camp.

Named for Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, who was the undefeated Professional Karate Association middleweight champion in 1980, the camp will feature five renowned martial artists as instructors.

The instructors include: Wallace; Michael DePasquale Jr., who is a jujitsu master; Herb Johnson, who is a karate master; Glenn "The Fox" Keeney, who was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. by the United States Karate Association; and Chris Natzke, a Tae Kwon Do stylist.

Rick Tague, the camp's director, said, "As a martial artist these are the biggest names in the martial arts world that are coming to this camp. As a spectator, you'll see people from movies and TV that you've seen before. They're pretty famous."

Wallace said the goal of the camp is to teach attendants a myriad of different arts and techniques. This is one reason why having so many different instructors with different talents will be beneficial.

"There are so many different techniques, most people use four or five. We'll teach our four or five and give you an understanding of ours," Wallace said.

Attendants of the camp will go to various classes throughout the weekend. Wallace will be teaching kick-boxing movements and kicking flexibility; DePasquale will teach jujitsu and self-defense; Johnson will teach stress sparring and competition techniques, Keeney will teach self-defense; and Natzke will teach Tae Kwon Do.

Chris Keane, the sales and marketing coordinator for Purdue conferences, said having these famous instructors brings some prestige to Purdue. She said, "It's actually pretty unique to have a karate camp on campus."

Furthermore, the martial arts community is happy Wallace is here. "We're proud to be associated with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and his association. Lafayette Martial Arts Club is happy he's coming and spending his time here," said Tague.

The camp is designed for anyone who has an interest in martial arts, regardless of their background knowledge of it. "It's catered to everybody from beginners to high ranking black belts. I'll attend some classes," said Wallace.

Tague said, "You're going to get a basic idea of training. These guys aren't going to test you for rank; they're going to give you ideas about training. These ideas take you to the level you want to be. They're going to show you the techniques they use. It will open your eyes and give you a good idea of what the martial arts world is about."

Wallace said there is only one requirement for those who attend the camp — that they enjoy themselves.

This should not be hard for martial arts lovers, though, because they will be spending three days doing what they love. "This is not you come in and they lecture you, the people are actually going to suit up. They (the instructors) are going to show you how they train. It's not you come and watch, it's a participant event," said Tague.

Since the camp is catered to people of all skill levels, a wide variety of people will attend. Keane said a mixture of adults and youths will be there.

This will not cause confusion, though, and will actually be helpful. "I think it will work really well, hopefully the idea is that everybody can learn from each other. I hope the more experienced black belts would help some newer people," said Keane.

This is the first Superfoot Camp, but Tague and Keane both have plans for the future. Tague said that next year's camp is already planned and that Wallace and DePasquale will be attending.

Keane said, "Hopefully it will become the first of many annuals."

Tague extended thanks to the University for their help with the camp this year. "We're proud and happy that Purdue University has busted their butt, they've bent over backwards to accommodate us. I'm extremely happy how they've approached it with professionalism," said Tague.

• The camp is taking place in McCutcheon Hall; mats will be set up in the dining hall for the training sessions. Those still interested in attending can register until 4 p.m. today.

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