About Morning Star Karate, led by Sensei Drake Sass
Sensei Drake Sass began his training in Adams-Friendship Wisconsin in 1984, under Keith Chaffe in Tae Kwon Do. Upon graduating from high school in 1988 Sensei Sass enlisted in the US Navy and was eventually forward deployed aboard the USS Bunker Hill in Yokosuka, Japan. In the three years he spent overseas, he began training in Japanese Kempo under Kumatsue Yazato and earned up to brown/red belt. While enlisted with the US Navy, Sensei Sass visited Hong Kong, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Australia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. In 1990 Sensei Sass, like many other young Americans, was sent to the first Persian Gulf War. After the US Navy in the fall of '91, Sensei Sass lived in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA. Here Sensei Sass learned the art of Shinpu-ren Okinawan Hard Style under Hanshi John Kraemer and Vance Steele.
After four years he earned his first degree black belt in May 95. In late May 95 Sensei Sass moved to Wickenburg, AZ with the soul purpose of opening a karate school. In June of 95, Sensei Sass opened Morning Star Karate of Wickenburg. From 95 to 06 Morning Star Karate has won countless championships on local, state, regional, national and international levels. As a business Morning Star Karate expanded to two locations in 95, one in Wickenburg and one in Surprise, AZ. Then in early 06, Sensei Sass opened MSK (Matsu-shin-kai karate-do) of Hoquiam, WA.
Sensei Drake Sass is currently ranked in the following disciplines:
- Shinpu-ren - 6th degree black belt
- Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu - 4th degree black belt
- Tai Chi - Level 3 instructor
- Tamiki-Ryu Aikido - 1st degree black belt
- Japanese Kempo - Brown/Red Belt
Sensei Drake Sass resides in Wickenburg, AZ with his wife Midori Lynn Sass and his two beautiful daughters, Caitlin and Jessica, several dogs, birds, rabbits, chinchillas, tortoises, fish and an occasional stray here and there. He maintains strong relations with his mother and father as well as his mother in law.
See also
