A unique breed of athletes established themselves as a Registered Student Organization this fall with the emergence of the SVSU’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu (SVBJJ) club.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a form of fighting that focuses on joint locks and chokes over punches and kicks, was founded when Japanese judo expert Mitsuyo Maeda visited Brazil among other countries in 1914. The art was developed and adapted further until it became what it is today.
On SVSU’s campus, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu club is a student-run, student-taught group that grows with every meeting and is advised by Jason Swackhamer. Members teach other members to create a collective learning experience for everyone.
The club began this fall when communications and digital and media design graduate student Ryan Foldie, who has practiced jiu-jitsu on and off since he was young, noticed dance mats were available to students in the Ryder Center and decided to start a group for interested students.
Every Thursday night at 9:30 p.m., a growing group of about 20 people meets in the Dance Studio (Ryder 249) to meet new people, work out, de-stress and learn new techniques. Each meeting kicks off with warm-ups and stretches, followed by technique and positions, reviewing of the former week’s techniques and moves, and the group grapples or “free-spars.”
The group is diverse, consisting of beginners who showed up after expressing interest to other wrestlers and athletes who compete in mixed martial arts tournaments.
Foldie is excited about field trips and outings to jiu-jitsu seminars and watching Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Freshman criminal justice major Spencer Davenport had no formal experience with martial arts and is glad he started attending the SVBJJ meetings.
“It’s good to know how to defend yourself, especially as a police officer,” he said. Davenport said the club is also “a great way to meet new people and get a good workout that is safe because there is no imminent threat of death.”
Undecided freshman Jimmy Woodrow, who has had extensive martial arts experience, enjoys the club for the variety of social interaction and different style of fighting it provides. Woodrow takes Hakko-ryu, ju-jutsu, and kickboxing classes at Martial Arts Connection on Bay Road in addition to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at SVSU.
“I found out about the class from a flier and I’m glad I came. I’m going to stick around,” Woodrow said.
Another of the more experienced club members is marketing junior Steve Lagace. Lagace competes in mixed martial arts tournaments and encourages anyone to check out Brazilian jiu-jitsu because it’s “a great way to blow off steam, meet new people and learn about different fighting styles.” He enjoys being able to teach and learn techniques and feels there is nothing else like this club at SVSU.
There is no cost for students to join SVBJJ. Students interested in finding out more about the club can contact Foldie at rfoldie@gmail.com.
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