ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Edward Verycken is one of the pioneers of the Japanese and American Goju Karate System of self-defense. He began his training under the late Professor Peter Urban, who was the first American to introduce Goju-Ryu to the U.S.A. While Mr.Verycken was studying this System of Self-Defense at Sensei Urban's first Dojo, located at 14th Street in Union City, NJ, he was honored to be the first to receive the First Degree Black Belt (shodon level) in the Japanese System of Goju-Ryu Karate by Professor Peter Urban. At that time, this Dojo (school) was called The Goju-Ryu Karatedo School of Self Defense.  Shortly after Mr. Verycken received his Black Belt Level he, along with Mr. Schaffer (another Urban Black Belt) had the privilege of being asked by Professor Urban to assist him in his new classes at the Hoboken Y.M.C.A. and also at classes being formed at a New York City Judo School, which was operated by two brothers.,(Lepkofker)  Shortly after, Master Urban opened his own Dojo at 20 East17th Street in New York City, where he formed his own System of American Goju Karate.  Sensei Verycken helped O'Sensei Urban teatch at This DoJo at the same time, Sensei Verycken studied Isshinryu under Masters Don Nagle and Gary Alexander, earning his Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) under the late Master Don Nagle.  Mr. Verycken also studied Judo with Frank Fahy and his student, Bill Labran and had the opportunity to briefly study Aikido under Master Richard Bowe of Nihon Goshin Aikido.                      

     Edward Verycken was the 1st student and 1st Black Belt of the late Peter Urban. Both Joe Hess, and Ric Pascetta are products of his instruction and leadership. He introduced Hess and Pascetta to his own teacher, Peter Urban, after each had reached a certain skill level. This allowed each student to benefit as direct students of both he and Grand Master Peter Urban. 
In addition to his Martial arts activity, Ed Verycken was instrumental in introducing his practical version of martial arts to multiple law enforcement agencies in the Eastern U.S., beginning with the use of Nunchaku for Law Enforcement, when that was a popular sought after instruction.  He co-authored the 1st book on Nunchaku for Law Enforcement with his Black Belt student, Joe Hess, and also wrote a coloring book for children entitled Neko, The Karate Clown. Other accomplished Black Belt students of Ed Verycken include Alex  Saavedra, Claudio Gonzalez, Fidel Montalban and Howard Petchler. Both Alex and Claudio focused their professional careers in Law Enforcement and were somewhat legendary during their roles as street cops, undercover officers, and LE administrators, retiring with many awards and unique recognition in their chosen professions. You might say at that time they were the modern day Samurai , although both these individuals did not have Dojos consistently past their early years as martial artists; my intention is certainly not to disregard their notable personal accomplishments. However, both Alex and Claudio did teach self defense to their peers at the Police Academy.

In 1968, while at a Karate tournament, Sensei Verycken met a couple of young Black Belts named Ric Pascetta and Eddie Magee. Ric Pascetta expressed a serious interest in learning the USA GoJu system . Sensei Verycken communicated to Ric Pascetta that he was pleased with the attitude and potential he saw in him as a martial artist. It was at that meeting Ric invited Sensei Verycken to visit his dojo in Woodbury, NJ.  Sensei Verycken accepted Ric Pascetta as one of his personal students. This was the beginning of a lifetime relationship.

Sometime after their initial meeting, Eddie Magee also invited Sensei Verycken to visit the school where he taught and introduced him to Joseph Artesi.  Mr. Artesi owned a large facility where Karate was taught in Bridgeton, NJ.  Mr. Artesi asked Sensei Verycken if he would consider teaching USA GoJu to his members and to the instructors working for him to bring them up to the levels where they should be as members of USA GoJu. It was at this DoJo where Sensei Verycken also met Joe Hess.

Sensei Verycken trained his new students, Ric Pascetta and Joe Hess, extensively in the art of USA GoJu Karate.  Subsequently, in the late 70's, Sensei Verycken introduced Ric Pascetta and Joe Hess to his own teacher, Master Peter Urban. Pascetta and Hess continued  training as  direct students of Sensei Verycken for many years following and further built on the foundation taught to them by Sensei Verycken. To this day, and after many years, Sensei Pascetta and Hess still consult with Sensei Verycken and consider him their martial arts mentor.

 These are some of the origins of introducing USA GoJu into Southern New Jersey.  Sensei Verycken continued over the next years to establish a significant core of students and Instructors, teaching the USA GoJu system throughout Southern New Jersey from west to east in Woodbury, Bridgeton, and Cape May County.  Sensei Verycken then moved to Wildwood, NJ and temporarily lived with his student, Joseph Hess, who he also trained extensively in the art of USA GoJu Karate.  Sensei Hess and Sensei Pascetta also played a large part in spreading USA GoJu Karate in South Jersey. Pascetta and Sensei Verycken also appeared on a Wildwood TV  station, the first to ever to do this in Southern New Jersey area, which helped spread USA GoJu Karate all the way to Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware.

 In 1973 Sensei Verycken was accepted into the BUTOKUKAI by the late Master Richard Kim.  In 1974 Sensei Verycken was also instrumental in recommending his student, Ric Pascetta, be accepted into the BUTOKUKAI by Master Kim as well.  The students mentioned above were but a few examples of the quality of Black Belt students whose martial arts careers were greatly impacted by the teaching and mentoring of Sensei  Verycken.  Sensei Verycken also held the first South Jersey Karate Championship Tournament in Cape May, NJ., inspiring many other Karateka to follow.   

Howard Petchler, another Verycken Black Belt, who trained with Sensei Verycken at the Neko Ashi GoJu Karate club in Cape May NJ, was instrumental in promoting many of the early PKA kick boxing events on the East Coast in partnership with Ric Pascetta and later in coalition with many others, including Joe Corley of Atlanta,GA. which underscores the influence of Verycken's instruction extending well beyond the martial arts world.

JOE HESS is another more well known Verycken student. In addition to his own successful competition career (tournament and kick boxing) Joe Hess has taught U.S.A. GoJu defensive tactics to law enforcement agencies all over the world. He has been the Head Instructor for the Defensive Tactics at the Broward County Police (Fla.) Academy for many years.
In addition to providing professional security to many famous celebrities and political figures, he has an exhaustive list of television and movie credits to his name, regularly playing the role as bodyguard and/or "bad guy". He is also an established writer with many books to his credit. His resume is incredible and extensive, including multiple documented accomplishments well beyond the martial arts world. He is a compassionate and caring "Giant" in the U.S.A. GoJu world.

Alex Saavedra is another Verycken student who helped build USA GoJu GoJu Karate ( U.S.A.G.A. ® )with his brother, Manny Saavedra Shihan.
More detailed Bio information can be found for each of these individuals at other web sites. 

 

EDWARD VERYCKEN (USA GoJu Karate Association, USAGA®):

Sensei Verycken has received many awards, along with the following, which is one of his favorites.

1960

Japanese GoJu-Ryu

At

 20-E 17th St. NY