Indiana Karate History

Indiana State Karate Tournaments began in 1972 with just four dojos' in competition among themselves. Mr. Glenn R. Keeney of Anderson, Indiana, founder and father of the Indiana State Tournaments, invited nucleus dojos' of Mr. Jim Kennedy, Mr. Dave Foreman, and Mr. Bill Wallace. Mr. Wallace brought Mr. Herb Johnson and Mr. Doug Adamson who competed in the Brown Belt division as they were not Black Belts yet.

The purpose of the tournaments was to recognize and develop men, women, and children in the state of Indiana for national competition. In the beginning, the dojo tournaments hosted forty participants competing in three divisions of kata (form) and kumite (fighting). After a short time, participation grew to approximately 100 competitors which forced the instructors to change the location from the dojos to gymnasiums.

Reflecting on Indiana karate, as it stands today, the direction it has gone, and the path it will continue to travel in the future, will take time. In the late 1970's, the participation numbers jumped from 100 to over 250 competitors. The awards went from 47 to 147. Indiana has been recognized as the most powerful and influential state in the midwest since the beginning of the Indiana State Karate Tournaments. Indiana Karate has influenced the nation and possible the world in martial arts.

In 1974, Mr. Keeney hosted the first awards banquet to honor state champions, brown belt and below, for their outstanding achievements. The award was a patch in the form of the state of Indiana along with a beautiful trophy or plaque. Also, time was set aside to honor individual students for their devotion to their teachers and/or their accomplishments throughout the year. The first Senseis' were father and founder, Mr. Glenn Keeney, Mr. Eddie Bethea, Mr. Parker Shelton, Mr. Bill Wallace, Mr. Robert Bowles, Mr. Herb Johnson, Mr. Sonny Johnson, Mr. Dave Foreman, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Wade, and Mr. Steve Winters. These instructors created great students in the form of: Mr. Ross Scott, Mr. Larry Davenport, Mr. Steve Vanderluit, Mr. Alan Goff, Mr. Tom Ward, Mr. Steve Perry, Mr. Ron White, Mr. Doug Adamson, Ms. Mary Barnett, Ms. Joann Barnes, Ms. Denise Coulter, Mr. Larry Sanders, Mr. Mike Kincaid, and Mr. O'Neil Warren.

In 1980, the Mr. Glenn R. Keeney award for excellence originated. Mr. Eddie Bethea created this with the thought of recognizing students for their effort, training, attitude, rightness, ability, and knowledge. Mr. Glenn R. Keeney, former top ten fighter and member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame, formed the Professional Karate Commission (PKC) in April of 1986 and immediately set out to attract the best talent in the martial arts to assist in its administration. All his life, Mr. Keeney has sought to bring out the best possible results from all his endeavors - especially from his first love, karate.

Known as "the Fox" when he was competing in point karate, Mr. Keeney also played a significant role in the course of professional karate. In addition to training former World Heavyweight Champion Ross Scott, Mr. Keeney was also a major influence on the early competitive career of Mr. Bill Wallace, who retired undefeated. In the organizational arena from 1968 to 1981, Mr. Keeney was a key force in the development of one of traditional karate's most successful organizations, the United States Karate Association (USKA). His efforts produced several of the largest, most successful grand national tournaments in karate history and attracted some of the biggest audiences to ever witness point karate.

Mr. Keeney, 45, decided to form the PKC simply because he felt it was needed. "People who were not karate people and who really didn't understand karate people had been in control too long." he explained. "Their business input and 'outsider' viewpoints were necessary, but this sport is going to have to grow with business people who really understand sports in general and karate in particular."