USJA Coach - Judo Information Site

USJACOACHa o a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a ' o "PROFILE OF A JUDO LEADERDr. Tony Scuderi, Srn DanHead Coach, American Kodokan JudoClub, Aston, PATony Scuderi began his Judo career in highschool, during which time as a Youngscrawny youth with a funny last name' hcwas picked on and beaten up a great dealby neighborhood and school bullies. Hisfather tried many ways to get him to del'endhimself, and Tony was enrolled on thePhiladelphia Police Athletic League (PAL)boxing team; he lasted about six months;he couldn't find it in himself to hit someone.One day, however, as a freshman atArchbishop RYan High School inPhiladelphia, one of the teachers, Rev'David Jakubieic, OFM, a well-lovedteacher and Coach, held a meeting afterschool for students who wanted to learnJudo. Fr. Dave and his Judo club becameTony's ticket to learning a martial art'He began Judoin lgl2,competing as a highschool student, but spending most ol'histime perfecting techniques, practicing themone after another, and enjoying learningdifferent ways to get in and out of pins' Hcfound it fascinating when he reached theappropriate age to perform chokes and armlocks, and by senior year, he was awardeda 3rd degree brown belt.It was now time lbrT