Independent Karate Schools of America
Events & News
News and Upcoming School Events
Independent Karate Schools of America has many upcoming events for our students and school families. Refer to this page to find out about upcoming tournaments, promotion testing, school functions and other school related information.
We will also be posting news bulletins or other pertinent information regarding the school, its students, its instructors, or the Master. The calendar will also list these items as well. Make sure you print out the school calendar each month for easy reference.
In Memorium 7/21/18 (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
The IKSA sadly announces the passing of Grandmaster Bernie Fritz. GM Fritz practiced and taught the martial arts for more than 40 years. He was a member of the IKSA for 30 years. In 1999 he was appointed a National Co-Director of the IKSA. He was dedicated to his students and the IKSA. He was an instructor and mentor to Master Burk and Master Chapman. But more importantly he was their friend. When informed of his passing GM Jerry Beasley stated "Bernie was a true gentleman and a legendary fighter in his time. He will be missed!" Please keep Janet, his wife of 56 years, and his family and students in your thoughts and prayers.News and Upcoming School Events
Independent Karate Schools of America has many upcoming events for our students and school families. Refer to this page to find out about upcoming tournaments, promotion testing, school functions and other school related information.
We will also be posting news bulletins or other pertinent information regarding the school, its students, its instructors, or the Master. The calendar will also list these items as well. Make sure you print out the school calendar each month for easy reference.
IKSA Leadership PRomoted 9/29/18
On Sept 29, 2018 at the IKSA Awards/Promotion banquet GM Danny Chapman, National Co-Director of the IKSA, was promoted to Judan, 10th Dan Black Belt. The promotion was issued by GM Floyd Burk and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.
GM Chapman's three senior students spoke on how much GM Chapman means to his American Karate Academy and it's students. GM Burk, GM Chapman's primary instructor for 33 years spoke on their friendship and his contributions to the IKSA. Superfoot Wallace said he was "proud to count Master Chapman as one of my students." GM Burk then presented GM Chapman with a beautiful certificate and the black/red belt of the Senior Grandmaster.
GM Chapman, who has hosted 24 IKSA National Training Seminars, said he was "honored and humbled by the promotion and would endevour to live up to the standards of the rank."
At the recent IKSA Awards/ Promotions banquet Grandmaster Lisa Heitke was promoted to 9th Dan by the IKSA Board of Directors. She is the senior student of the late Grandmaster Bernie Fritz. With the passing of GM Fritz she becomes the Soke of Freestyle United Arts.
GM Heitke has served as the IKSA Administrative Director for many years. GM Chapman announced at the banquet that GM Heitke will now take on the role of National Co-Director, the position previously held by GM Fritz. "Master Heitke has served the organization since 1999 as our Administrative Director," said Master Chapman. "I look forward to the contributions I know she will make in her new position."
National Training Seminar 2018 10/3/18 (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
100 martial artists from around the country attended the 24th Annual National Training Seminar. The event was held in Brentwood, TN and featured guest instructor Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Wallace and several IKSA instructors taught a variety of classes. At the awards/promotion banquet the following awards were presented: Instructor of the Year-Master Ron Velarde (CA); School of the Year: Freestyle United Arts (WI); Most Supportive Seminar School-American Karate Academy-East Nashville (TN). The highlight of the weekend was the promotion of the following IKSA instructors to higher Dan ranks: Sensei Charles Dupree (TN)-3rd Dan; Master Ricky Ellington (TN)-6th Dan; Grandmaster Lisa Heitke (WI)-9th Dan; and Grandmaster Danny Chapman-10th Dan. The 25th Annual NTS will be held in Sept 2019 in Brentwood, TN and will once again feature Bill Wallace.
New IKSA National Co-Director 10/3/18 (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
At the recent National Training Seminar the IKSA Board of Directors announced that GM Lisa Heitke would become the new National Co-Director. She assumes the role of the late GM Bernie Fritz who passed away in July.
At the recent IKSA Awards/ Promotions banquet Grandmaster Lisa Heitke was promoted to 9th Dan by the IKSA Board of Directors. She is the senior student of the late Grandmaster Bernie Fritz. With the passing of GM Fritz she becomes the Soke of Freestyle United Arts.
GM Heitke has served as the IKSA Administrative Director for many years. GM Chapman announced at the banquet that GM Heitke will now take on the role of National Co-Director, the position previously held by GM Fritz. "Master Heitke has served the organization since 1999 as our Administrative Director," said Master Chapman. "I look forward to the contributions I know she will make in her new position."
National Training Seminar 2023
Nearly 100 martial artists from 16 states attended the IKSA Annual National Training Seminar. The event was held in Brentwood, TN and featured guest instructor Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Wallace and several IKSA instructors taught a variety of classes. At the awards/promotions banquet the following awards were presented: School of the Year: Shotokan Karate Dojo (CA); Seminar Most Supportive School: White Tiger Martial Arts (MD). The IKSA Board of Directors made the following promotions: Master Volney Willett (ND)-5th Dan; Master Miran Reynolds (CA)-5th Dan; Master Ricky Ellington (TN)-7th Dan; Grandmaster Jimmy Smith (MD)-9th Dan. Grandmaster Doug Welsh (GA) was presented with the IKSA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his 50 years of training/teaching the martial arts. He is only the 3rd recepient of the award in the IKSA's 42 history. The 2024 NTS will again be held in Brentwood on September 27/28.
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome our 2 newest members: Master Dan Suthers (WI) and Sensei Christina Garza (TX).
