I'm pleased to announce that Professor Rick Clark 8th dan of the Ao Denkou Kai will be holding a seminar in Leeds on Sunday 12th November 2006.

Further details available on my website

www.headingleykarate.org/seminar1.htm

Rick is a widely sought after instructor in the use of vital points both in striking and grappling. Karateka will gain much from his insight into the applications of Karate kata. No politics, no egos, just really good martial arts.

Any questions feel free to contact me.

Mike

Just curious what is he a professor of. I have not heard of someone calling themselves a professor before in regards to a martial art.

From what I can gather, I think it may have more to do with his teaching law enforcement type peoples.
"In addition to Prof. Clark's martial arts expertise he has his undergraduate and graduate degree in Criminology. Prof. Clark is a member of the American Society for Law Enforcement Training and has been involved in the training of police officers at the Local, State, and Federal level. "

Only guessing though.

I believe the 'Professor' title is an honorary/informal one. Although Rick taught an academic subject at an American university he was not an academic professor (presumably in a similar way that in a UK university people might lecture with a variety of qualifications: professors, doctors or just plain old Mr's and Mrs's). However, the students there called him Professor, as was they're habit. I don't know if his martial arts students at the university did the same and the honorific just stuck?

Either way, I believe its a title that he's more comfortable with than the alternatives. I suspect he finds the oriental titles (shihan, kancho, soke etc.) a little pretentious or inappropriate and the oft-used 'master' or 'grandmaster' downright silly and egotistical - I know Rick would never declare that he'd mastered anything, he's always seeking to improve and refine his martial art rather than rest on his laurels.

So 'Professor' sums it up quite well I think - a 'teacher of teachers', which Rick certainly qualifies as. Personally I just call him Rick and he's never asked me to do otherwise.

Mike

From what I was reading, it will be an awesome seminar regardless of what people call him. Wish I could be there!