On Sunday, April 18th at 1:00pm – 3:00pm (Pacific), I will host the 2nd of a 3-part series on “The Business of Judo”, by our USJF Executive Committee officer, Chicago Yudanshakai President and the Head Sensei of Kokushi Midwest Judo in Champaign, Illinois, Grace Talusan.
On Sunday, April 11, at 1:00pm – 2:30pm (Pacific), I will host “USJF Dojo: Re-start of Judo” zoom meeting. I will share the USJF strategic plan to help the dojo sensei’s re-start teaching Judo. The focus will be on providing resources and guidance to existing and new dojos in giving their members a positive experience during this re-start of Judo.
On April 17, 2021 at 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (Eastern) The USJF will begin our Mental Health Series, “Understanding Depression and What You Can Do.” Our presenter, Cory Cuomo is a graduate of the Rutgers University, Graduate School of Social Work. He is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been working in the field of mental health since 1995.
Thank you very much to Dr. Ricardo Joseph, Dr. Eric Chen, and Dr. Jeffrey Fujimoto of the USJF Medical Committee for their time and expertise in helping to put together this information along with recommendations for our community. This will be helpful for everyone as we all work through these trying and difficult times.
With the relaxing of lockdowns throughout the world, the judo world is opening up as well.
Updated information is highlighted on both documents.
We are eliminating our paper form for background screening effective immediately. The application form has been removed from our website. Please do not submit any more background screening applications using the paper form. If you are in need of a background screening, please wait until April 8 2021. The new link to the vendor’s website will be available on our website to submit & pay for your background screening online on April 8, 2021.
If we receive any paper applications after Friday, April 2, 2021, we will no longer have the ability to process them. We will contact the applicant to determine your preference for either return via USPS mail or to have us shred your paper application and payment.
Our vendor will continue to be National Center For Safety Initiatives (NCSI). Moving forward, we will be utilizing our NCSI’s website. Members needing screening will apply and pay for it directly at the vendor’s website. The direct hyperlink will be placed on our website on April 8, 2021. Results will be provided directly to USJF.
The background screen has not changed, just that the processing is moving online.
These statements are based on the assumption that your background screens return clear and free of any disqualifiers.
For those who have recently obtained the new standard 2-year screening, it will continue to be valid and function without change.
If you have any questions or concerns, . Thank you very much for your continued service to judo and USJF
On Sunday, March 21, 2021, we lost Harold E. Sharp, Hal to his friends and Sharp Sensei to the many judokas lives he touched over his 70+ years of involvement in Judo.
Sharp Sensei was approaching his 94th birthday. He passed away peacefully at home and is survived by his wife Joan Joanie, son Richard, and daughters Kary, Denise, and Lisa. Last November, the Nanka Judo Yudanshakai (the SoCal Judo Association) recognized by Jigoro Kano in 1930, bestowed judo’s highest rank of 10th Degree Black Belt, on Sharp Sensei.
USJF recognised Hal Sharp as a member of the United States Judo Hall of Fame in 2016. To read more about Sharp Sensei, see his entry on the USJF website and Gary Goltz’s article in Black Belt Magazine.
See an interview by Masters Magazine on Mr Sharp’s history in judo.
As our country anticipates the restarting of our social and economic world, most of us in judo anticipate returning to our dojos for great teaching, learning, workouts, training, and socialization.
Three documents have been published by the National Office.
Updates added on March 1, 2021, are highlighted in LIGHT BLUE.
Thank you very much to Dr. Ricardo Joseph, Dr. Eric Chen, and Dr. Jeffrey Fujimoto of the USJF Medical Committee for their time and expertise in helping to put together this information along with recommendations for our community. This will be helpful for everyone as we all work through the trying & difficult times ahead.