The Starkville Martial Arts Academy

Whenever we do something with intent, we do it in a purposeful manner. There is no random process here, there is a very specific, focused set of steps that will be accomplished on your way to the result.
-- Dr. Chris Dewey

Dr. Dewey

Dr. Chris Dewey has been training since 1968 and is the chief instructor of the Starkville Martial Arts Academy. He is a nationally certified coach and holds 7th degree black belt in Akayama-Ryu Ju Jitsu, 6th degree black belt rank in Judo, 3rd degree black belt rank in Hapkido and 4th degree in Taekwondo. Dr. Dewey is certified by Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu, the United States Judo Association, the United States Moo Sul Kwan, Independent Taekwondo Association, the American Council on Martial Arts and the American Sports Education Program. He is a past chair of the USJA National Coaching Committee, and has been a featured columnist in Martial Arts Professional Magazine.

Janet Dewey

Janet is a research scientist in the College of Forestry at Mississippi State University. She holds a fourth degree black belt in Judo & a fifth degree black belt in Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu, and has been an instructor since 1994. She teaches adult Judo classes. She is a USJA certified instructor.

Eric Welch

Eric is the Dean of Engineering at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. He and Dr. Dewey have trained together regularly for over twenty years. He holds a fourth degree black belt in Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu, a third degree black belt in Judo and second degree black belts in Taekwondo and Hapkido. He is an instructor and a member of the SMAA advisory board.

Chris Stevens

Chris works as a draftsman with the Babcock & Wilcox Company. He is a second degree black belt in Judo and in Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu. He has a first degree black belt in Taekwondo. He has been with the academy since 2001 and now assists with the Beginner Judo and Jujitsu classes.

Doug Bedsaul

Doug is the general manager of Hollywood Premier Cinemas in Starkville. He holds a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo, second degree black belt in Judo and a third degree black belt in Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu. He has been with the academy since 1998, and is a USJA certified instructor. Doug instructs both the junior and adult Taekwondo classes.

John Cotton

John teaches History at East Mississippi Community College. He is a second degree black belt in Judo and a third degree black belt in Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu. He has been with the academy since 1999 and now assists with the Jujitsu class.

Kara Roberts

Kara is a librarian with Starkville Public Libraries. She is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo and a brown belt in Jujitsu. Kara has been with the academy since 1997 and assists with the Taekwondo classes.

Stephanie Aultman

Stephanie is a black belt in Taekwondo. She has been training with the academy since 2002 and now instructs children's martial arts classes.

Lynn Peterson

Lynn is a mother and a graduate student in counseling at Mississippi State. She has a home preschool and teaches creative movement for children. She is a green belt who has been with the academy since 2009 and assists with the junior classes.

Cheryl Chambers

Cheryl is an instructor in the Department of Communication at Mississippi State University. She is a green belt who has been with the academy since 2009 and assists in the junior classes.

Jared McCarver

Jared is a national-level forms and sparring competitor. He now teaches a speed and endurance class on Friday evenings. Jared is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo.