in the news –> Former MSU judo coach Kim enjoyed being a teacher
from the June 24, 2010 Lansing State Journal article by Dan Kilbridge: (click here for entire article on www.greenandwhite.com)
With more than 60 years of experience in the field of martial arts, Jongoon Kim’s achievements are remarkable.
A native of Taegu, South Korea, Kim served as president of the National Collegiate Judo Association, as well as the National Coaches Association in the early 1970s.
He also participated in the Olympics as an official on three occasions – in 1976 (Montreal), 1988 (Seoul) and 1996 (Atlanta).
Ask Kim about his most satisfying achievement, however, and he’ll tell you it’s the way in which he oversaw more than 20,000 students as a coach and instructor at Michigan State and Lansing Community College.
“That’s my proudest accomplishment,” Kim said. “Many students and I shared personally, not only skills, but philosophy or education. That was just a fantastic, rewarding experience and made me never really tired of teaching.”
Now, after spending more than 40 years as an instructor in the area, Kim is one of eight individuals and one team to be inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame today at 7 p.m. at Lansing Community College’s Gannon Building.
Kim began his journey in the sport when he was 14 years old, during the Korean War. He was immediately hooked when introduced to judo through his middle school athletics program and found he had the necessary skill set.
“A little success in the sport was immediate,” Kim said. “In judo, you throw each other. And I got to throw more than I was thrown, so I thought that was my sport.”
Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in Korea before moving to the United States for graduate school at Goshen College in Indiana. He ultimately arrived in 1961 at MSU, where he would earn his master’s in physical education.
His first day in East Lansing, Kim joined the school’s newly formed judo club. When it was determined he had the most experience, he became the club’s coach.
MSU began to offer judo as a three-credit course in 1964, with Kim naturally taking over as the instructor.
Three years later, he was recruited by LCC and taught judo, along with tae kwon do, on a part-time basis.
It was during that time he began an ambitious struggle to make judo a varsity sport at MSU. Athletic director Clarence “Biggie” Munn told Kim he would need a conference, so he recruited Indiana, Ohio State and Purdue to form his own judo league……….. (click here to read more)
