MSOI Karate Traditional Isshinryu

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Instructors

Instructor – Master A. Keith Smith, Ku-Dan (9th Dan)

Master A. Keith Smith, founder of the Midwest School of Isshinryu, is a 9th-degree black belt (Ku-Dan) in Isshin-Ryu Karate and has dedicated over five decades to the study, practice, and teaching of martial arts.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, in October 1954, Master Smith began his Isshin-Ryu training in 1972 under Sensei Patrick Buckley, a student of the late James Chapman. He earned his Sho-Dan and Ni-Dan rankings under Sensei Buckley. After Buckley’s school closed, Master Smith sought guidance and ultimately aligned with Grand Master Steve Armstrong and the American Okinawan Karate Association (A.O.K.A.), following his instructor’s recommendation.

In 1975, Master Smith established his dojo under the name Eastwood Karate Club, which later became known as the Midwest School of Isshinryu. Since its inception, Master Smith has served as a volunteer instructor, offering consistent mentorship and training to generations of students.

In the late 1970s, Master Smith made early efforts to unify local Isshin-Ryu schools by advocating for the use of Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku’s kata films as a standard reference—a forward-thinking approach that was initially met with resistance. Throughout that time, he maintained close correspondence with Grand Master Armstrong, whose insights and encouragement were instrumental in guiding his martial arts journey.

Master Smith was introduced to his current instructor, Grand Master Stephen Young, through a co-worker who was also an Isshin-Ryu student. After repeatedly returning for help with kata instruction, the co-worker's accurate performance of kata—closely aligned with the Shimabuku films, prompted Master Smith to meet and ultimately begin training under Master Young. He has been a dedicated student of Grand Master Young ever since.

Over the years, Master Smith has continued his development by training with and attending seminars led by many renowned martial artists, including:

Grand Master Steve Armstrong
Grand Master Louis Lizotte
Master Ron Boucher
Master Sherman Harrell
Master Nick Adler
Master Angi Uezu
Master Kichiro Shimabuku
Grand Master Willie Adams
Master A.J. Advincula
Grand Master Peter Carbone Kobujutsu weaponry
Grand Master Stephen Young
Grand Master Nakamoto, Kiichi

In November 2013, Master Smith was awarded his 9th Dan in Isshin-Ryu Karate, and in November 2011, he received the prestigious “Kyoshi” teaching title from Grand Master Young. He has served on the A.O.K.A. Awards Committee, the Promotion Board, and the Advisory Board, playing a significant role in upholding the standards and traditions of Isshin-Ryu Karate.

Master Smith’s dedication has earned him both local and national recognition. He was inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2024.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, Master Smith proudly retired from a 32-year career with the Kane County Sheriff’s Department, where he served in a variety of assignments, including:

Patrol
Corrections
Juvenile Division
Special Operations Unit
Criminal Investigations
Cyber Crimes Investigations
FBI Fugitive Task Force
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI/ICE) – Cybercrime Enforcement

His distinguished law enforcement background continues to influence the school's core values of discipline, integrity, service, and community responsibility.

GRANDMASTER STEVE YOUNG

Master Young was born in Carthage, Illinois on January, 10, 1955. He started his martial arts training in both Isshinryu and Shotokan in 1971. Master Young progressed to the rank of Sho-Dan in both arts and gradually moved full training efforts into Isshinryu.

During the next 12 years, Master Young was very active in the tournament scene. He also was very active in assisting in the dojo. Under the instruction of Sensei Jerry Tuzzo, Master Young open his first dojo in Carthage.

Upon graduation from college, Master Young moved to the Chicago area. At this point he was encouraged to contact Grand Master Stephen Armstrong to seek advice on continued training. Grand Master Armstrong invited Master Young to his Tacoma dojo. Each year Master Young would travel to Tacoma, or arrange for Grand Master Armstrong to come to the Chicago area, to continue his training.

Through Grand Master Armstrong's introductions, Master Young met Grand Master Lewis Lizotte and Grand Master Willie Adams. These masters, became Master Young's source for continued training and guidance. Master Young now trains under Grand Master Lizotte.

Master Young opened several dojos in the Chicago area during the late 1970's and continued through the mid 1990's. Master Young's schools became a major faction of the American Okinawan Karate Association. During this era, Master Young hosted two of the AOKA Grand Nationals. Heavy job related travel has forced many of the schools to close. The main dojo is located in Aurora with one of Master Young's long -time students, Master Keith Smith, in-charge of the school.

Master Young is currently an 10th Dan in Isshin-Ryu Karate, a 1st Dan in Shotokan and a Brown Belt in Judo. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Okinawan Karate Association and has since been appointed as President of the Association.

Master Young has received a number of local and national awards for his support of martial arts, and specifically, the support of Isshin-Ryu Karate. He was awarded the "Spirit of Isshin-Ryu" by the AOKA Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame.

Master Young is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an undergraduate degree in accounting. He also holds an MBA in Finance and has spent a large portion of his career in the auditing profession. Master Young currently serves as Vice President of a joint venture based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Master Young currently resides in Wheaton, Illinois where is married and has two children, Jennifer and Joseph. Jennifer is a Junior at Florida State University majoring in Marine Biology. Joseph is a Junior at Wheaton Warrenville South High School and is an avid football player. Jennifer, Joseph and his wife, Kay, are all Black belts.

On July 12th, 2003 Grandmaster Lewis Lizotte promoted Steve Young to the rank of Grandmaster, 9th degree blackbelt.

Mark Bettenhausen has been studying Isshinryu Karate since 2011, under the instruction of Master Keith Smith. After many years of being shy and timid, Mark decided to seek out a way to gain self-confidence. After just a few beginning classes, he knew this was the right path. He also has a strong interest in the self-defense aspect of karate.

Mark is an art director in the advertising/marketing industry. His ability to present his ideas and creations has blossomed since joining MSOI-Aurora. Outside of work and the dojo, he enjoys fishing, camping and family time. Mark earned his Blackbelt in August of 2017 and his San-dan in 2022.