| Our Shotokan community has suffered a great loss; Sensei William T. Ruyechan, Buffalo Shotokan founder and chief instructor, died of cancer on August 15, 2011. He founded the club upon his arrival in western New York in 1992, and served as chief instructor until June 2011, when he stepped down due to his deteriorating health. |
| Ruyechan was a Ph.D. who earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1976, and was a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also held adjunct professorships at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India, and at Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Medicine in Xi’an, China. He was considered by many to be one of the University at Buffalo's most talented researchers. |
| Sensei Ruyechan will be remembered for his patient teaching style, positive attitude, and strong karate work ethic. He was a 6th Dan (Rokudan), and trained many students to the rank of black belt. Sensei was also very knowledgeable about karate history and Japanese culture. He is survived by his wife Noreen Williams, and daughters Alicia and Maura. |
| Taking over as chief instructor of the Buffalo Shotokan Karate Club is Jerry Krull, a Sandan (3rd degree black belt) who has trained at the Buffalo Shotokan Karate Club with Sensei Ruyechan for the past 18 years. Throughout that time he has been the senior student or "Sempai", and served as assistant instructor. |
| Mr. Krull has trained in Shotokan Karate since 1977; he was tested for his first degree black belt in 1986 by the late Masatoshi Nakayama (Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association), and earned his second and third degree black belts under Teruyuki Okazaki (Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation). |
| He has trained throughout the Northeastern United States and Ontario, and holds both instructor's and tournament judging certificates from ISKF Canada. He also holds the rank of Sandan in Japanese Kendo (the Way of the Sword). |
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| The Buffalo Shotokan Karate Club was founded in 1992 by Bill Ruyechan, shortly after he moved to Western New York. |
| "There was no school or club in the area specializing in the Shotokan style of traditional Japanese karate, so Okazaki Sensei (Master Teruyuki Okazaki, Chairman and Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation) "suggested" that I start one. I transformed my second garage into a training facility (dojo), found a few interested people and BSKC was on its way." |
| Eventually the club outgrew its original dojo and moved into St. Mary's School gymnasium in Swormville. In 2004, the club moved to its current location at the Harlem Road Community Center in Snyder. |
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Buffalo Shotokan Karate caters to children, adults and teenagers of both sexes.
Students will learn to defend themselves using the hips, body core, and low stances to make strong, coordinated movements. |
| Japanese etiquette is followed during training. However, warmth and camaraderie between instructors and students is always present. |
| Dues $50.00/month - Adults |
| Dues $35.00/month - Students |
| Special family rates are available. There are no long term contracts. |
| Beginners are always welcome (adults and teenagers over 13 years of age). |
Children under 13 are considered only on a case by case basis.
One or both parents must be a regular member and have been training for at least three months. |
| Anyone of any fitness level can join and benefit from this training. |
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