Instructors

Club Meetings

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Open Practice on Sundays 12:30 to 2:30pm

Martial Arts Room

Ramsey Center

Name	Bio	Rank
Grand Master Jim Couch	Grand Master Jim Couch is the chief instructor of the UGA Karate Club. He holds an eighth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a sixth in Hapkido, and a first degree black belt in Judo. He is a specialist with multiple weapons and a WTF certified referee, qualified to judge both national and international competition. Grand Master Couch began his training in 1963, earning his first degree black belt in 1965, just prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps. He has been instructing at the University of Georgia since 1969, first as a faculty member and presently as a volunteer. Grand Master Couch is a successful entrepreneur with businesses including the Punchline Comedy Clubs and other ventures in Athens and Atlanta. He also has a knack for colorful phrases, the memory of which will remain with the majority of his students for the rest of their natural lives. (get his full bio)	8th Degree Black Belt-Tae Kwon Do 6th Degree Black Belt-Hapkido 1st Degree Black Belt-Judo WTF Certified Referee-National and International
Matt Alston	Matt began his martial arts training in 1989, and began working out with the Karate Club in 1990.	3rd degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do Additional training in boxing and Shorinji Kempo.
Mike Dean	Mike began his martial arts training with American Karate in 1989, and joined the Karate Club in 1991. He is a UGA Safe Space ally.	3rd degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do WTF certified state referee Additional training in Hapkido, Aikido, and Shorinji Kempo.
Chris Weaver	Chris began his training in 1987, and joined the UGA Karate Club in 1997. He also created the first version of this website back in 1998.	4th degree black belt - American Karate 3rd degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do Additional training in Kenpo Karate
Dr. John Dowd	Dr. Dowd is the club's faculty advisor. He started with the Karate Club in 1992.	1st degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do
Sam Cook	Sam got his start with Ramsey's TKD classes in early 2002 and joined the Karate Club the following summer.	1st degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do