Muleskinner

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Summited Photo Students participate in Wednesday's defense class.

The Lovinger Gym was full of fighting women last Wednesday. However, it was the non-combative kicks and punches of a self-defense class.

Last Wednesday, the Theta Chi fraternity sponsored a free women's self-defense class. Senior secondary education major and Theta Chi member Josh Wiercinski said the idea of sponsoring the class came from a few different people.

"I thought of the idea, but it was put into motion by Bobby," Wiercinski said.

Bobby Lascon, senior history major and Theta Chi member, said the purpose of the class was to educate women about the importance of self-defense and give them the ability to defend themselves if they were ever in a dangerous situation. He added another reason the fraternity sponsored the class.

"We also wanted to raise money for the Lighthouse," Lascon said. "We're selling T-shirts for $12 and all the proceeds go to the Lighthouse."

Wiercinski said the event was publicized on Facebook and through announcements in classes. He added that, since it was the fraternity's first time hosting the event, they wanted to get a feel of how well the event would turn out. Mike Morton, junior public relations major and Theta Chi member, said about 40 to 50 women participated.

"It went really well," Morton said. "The (women) seemed to have a lot of fun and even us guys learned a few moves."

The instructors for the course were Jason "The Crazy Israeli" Cohen, formerly of Title Boxing and now general manager of Title Boxing Club in Kansas City, and Shawn Butler, Title Boxing instructor in Lee's Summit, donated their time and instructed the class at no cost.

Cohen is a certified instructor in Krav Maga, a hand-to-hand form of combat fighting. Cohen has been practicing Krav Maga for 23 years and teaching it for 13 years.

"I grew up as a fat kid who got beat up," Cohen said. "I want to make sure others don't stand for it. I'm concentrating on training and doing a lot of programs now."

Cohen has trained members of the Secret Service, the FBI, local and state police forces, as well as professional football, baseball and hockey players.

Kaitlin Gants, a senior public relations major, said she attended the class for a couple reasons.

"I came out to learn self-defense if I'm ever in a dangerous situation," Gants said. "I also wanted to show my 'guns' off to everyone."

Morton said the fraternity would like to host the event every semester and hopes attendance will continue to rise.

"We're looking forward to making it a bigger and better event next time," Morton said. "We just need to publicize it better beforehand."

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