Advisor: Eric Schaertl, Mj.

Major Schaertl is a 40 year old US Army Major with 19 years active duty service, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science in the ROTC department here at Drexel. He has received selective Army style combatives training, along with boxing and wrestling experience, but no formalized martial arts training until starting Aikido in June of 2000. Major Schaertl considers the art of Aikido as a very realistic, applicable martial art, one that is very suited to his needs both as a soldier and, primarily, as a father of four. Although his workload, schooling, and family life might have prevented him from practicing on a consistent basis, he expresses the benefits that he has gained from the experience. The Aikido techniques practiced and learned has only increased his desire to become a lifetime learner of the art, as expressed by Major Schaertl. Major Schaertl also enjoys the application of what he has learned to attain a great sense of inner peace and balance in his life. Most importantly, he states that he has had the opportunity to meet and spend time with some absolutely tremendous people. We all have enjoyed his guaidance as the club advisor and his availability to be thrown around with no reservation and still show a big smile inspite of it all.

Associate Advisor: Susmu "Sam" Kurokawa

Sam started studying Aikido in 2002. Sam holds black belts in Judo (2nd degree), Kempo (2nd degree) and Karare (1st degree). He teaches Management of Technology and Strategic Management at Drexel's College of Business. He is known to be a rough fighter with hard kicks and punches. Students call him "Asian Tiger.