Testing Board Bio - Professor Dave McNeill, 9th Dan

How can I  introduce, or speak about, Soke?  What can I possibly say that could convey to anyone just how important he is in my development as a martial artist and a person?
I've committed to keeping all my blog entries short, so how am I going to do this?!?!

Do I talk about his amazing background and abilities as a martial artist? 

Or should I discuss his creativity and ability to translate that effortlessly (apparently) into all his thoughts and movements?

I certainly can't leave out his sense of humor and infectious laugh...

Maybe I should mention just how awe-inspiringly tough he is. 

What about his overflowing and kind heart that makes everyone love him so?

Crap!  I haven't even begun, and I'm already running out of space!

O.K. - Wait! - I've got it.  

When I grow up, I want to be Dave McNeill AND Yoda.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

9th degree black belt, Soke Dave McNeill, started his study of Goju-Shorei Karate in 1971 under the tutelage of Hanshi Alexander Archie.  

In 2005 Hanshi Archie retired and appointed Soke McNeill as the head of Goju-Shorei.



As a youngster, Soke boxed in the Jr. Golden Gloves program. He has trained with Remy Presas in Modern Arnis, Byong Yu in Taekwondo, Gary Friederich in Shotokan, Mark Lord in Tai Chi, Donnie Williams and Steve Muhammad in BKF Kenpo, Prof. Ken Eddy in Seifukujutsu and George Fujii in Machado Brazilian Jujitsu.



In the 70s, 80s and 90s Soke McNeill competed successfully in martial arts tournaments throughout California, Idaho, Oregon and Nevada.

In the mid-80s it was decided that the Goju-Shorei system needed a fresh approach in the teaching of weapons.  It was noted that all of the so-called traditional weapons were illegal in most, if not all, of the States.  The decision was made to teach only weapons that were legal and/or practical.  With that in mind, Soke McNeill was assigned the task of developing a structured, systematized weapons system that could be utilized by the general public, Goju-Shorei students, as well as other martial arts styles.

In 1994 Goju-Shorei formally adopted the Cane, Knife and Fan as its official weapons for the Weapons System, and Soke McNeill was designated head of the Goju-Shorei Weapons System.

Soke McNeill started Cane Masters with his student Mark Shuey, and was the original president of that company. The partnership lasted for 2 years.

He has been inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, The Hawaiian Martial Arts Hall of Fame, World Sokeship Council Hall of Fame and the United States Martial Arts of Fame. McNeill has also have been featured in Martial Arts Legends magazine and has been published numerous times in Black Belt magazine.

Soke McNeill has been a participant and advisor to the Ultimate Black Belt Test almost since its inception in 2003, and was a longtime member of the American Jujitsu Institute (AJI) which is the oldest martial arts organization in the United States.
He resides in Northern Nevada, just south of Reno.