Alexander Archie
Lifetime Excellence in Life Award
May 6, 2006
Sensei Mark Ramsey,
Recipient
Each year
the Silver State Open presents a special
award to a martial artist. Dedicated to the on-going leadership,
support, and example set by Hanshi Alexander Archie, this Excellence
in Life Award is in recognition for the recipient’s continuous and
long-standing contributions in the study of the arts of war … and
of peace, … by the demonstration of extraordinary leadership,
understanding, tolerance, and patience through the passionate and
tireless promotion of harmony between all students, schools, and
systems of the martial arts.
This year’s recipient of the Alexander Archie
Excellence in Life Award began studying martial arts in Carson City
at about the age of 14. He earned his first ranking of Shodan in
Nippon Kempo Butokukan in March of 1985, … a grading he attributes
to the patience and assistance of Sensei Andy Matissen.
Sensei Mark
Ramsey has always realized the benefit of studying various styles.
He attends seminars and workshops whenever possible, and freely
shares his knowledge and experience with others. He incorporates
what he calls “THE GOOD STUFF” from those other styles
into his core-curriculum. Even more, Sensei Ramsey requires his
green belts to study other styles of martial arts for a period of
time, just so they can experience the true Budo Spirit.
For many years, the art of Nippon Kempo
Butokukan karate only had one, then two degrees of black belt. In
March of 1996, a group of his martial arts peers unanimously agreed
Sensei Ramsey should hold a higher rank. He was promoted to the
rank of Sandan.
Realizing
there was a gap in his knowledge and wanting to incorporate some of
the elements of softer styles into his art, Sensei Ramsey joined the
Shoshin Ryu of Nevada and began the study of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, in
which he currently holds the rank of Sandan.
Our Honoree is also certified in Japanese
Restorative Massage, receiving that certification in September of
1995, from Prof. Ken Eddy.
A student of all martial arts,
Sensei Ramsey is an outstanding marksman, with rifle, pistol, or bow
& arrow! He is currently training in the Goju Shorei Weapons
System, and studies and practices Tai Chi, and the Yang Short Form.
Sensei Mark Ramsey has never taught for
money.
He operates the Carson Karate Club as a
community service organization, and it is Carson City’s
oldest, continually operating martial arts school. A Boy Scout in
his youth, Sensei Ramsey requires his students perform
community service projects, … in fact, a community service project
is a requirement for some belts ranks in his system. He himself has
even played Santa Claus for a co-worker’s
church youth group.
Sensei Ramsey holds a degree in art from the
University of Nevada, Reno, and his work is on permanent display in
Carson City, Nevada.
From his wife Denise, we know he has an
affinity for dark chocolate. Well, … Yaaaaa!
But quoting Denise, “One of the most
important things about Mark is that he will always do the right
thing, no matter what the personal cost. That is one of the things
I most admire about him, and one of the greatest lessons I have
learned from him.”
The example set by Sensei Ramsey is a lesson to
all of us about the role of martial arts in today’s world.
Sensei Mark Ramsey!
(Copy by Ross Briggs and Denise
Ramsey)
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