Ron Schnell began training in a credit course offered by the St. Petersburg Junior College (SPJC) to fulfill his physical education requirements. In 1985, Mr. Schnell followed his instructor to every class taught around St. Petersburg. It was known that John Graden trained with Kickboxing Legend Joe Lewis and as a Blue Belt, Mr. Schnell took his first “Lewis Seminar.” The impressive instructor provided an outstanding vocabulary for expressing the dynamics of sparring. Terms like “set point”, “lead fighter”, and “counter-counter fighter”, made the science of sparring very intriguing.
When USA Karate opened its doors in March 1986, Mr. Schnell participated in its first testing cycle and earned his 4th Kyu (Brown Belt). He immediately became the introductory lesson instructor for every new student at the school and earned a spot on the award winning demonstration team. USA Karate began a small cable television show by the same name and Mr. Schnell became the primary ukie (punching dummy) for the show.
While pursuing a Mass Communications degree from the University of South Florida, Mr. Schnell earned his 1st Black Belt in June of 1988. Mr. Schnell immediately became a staff instructor and developed a preschool program for 4 & 5 year old children and taught all the under rank classes. After graduating, Mr. Schnell earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt and took charge of the demonstration team, became an interview reporter on the cable show and opened a satellite program at the Willis S. Johns (Fossil Park) Recreation Center, the precursor to USA Karate’s second location.
Paul Acklin phoned to let Mr. Schnell know about his new school, Superkicks Karate-Fitness. With the encouragement of his wife, Joanne and family, Mr. Schnell approached Mr. Acklin with the idea of franchising his new adventure. In 1995, Superkicks II opened and the two set out to find a new instructor with whom they could advance their respective rank.
Mr. Schnell attended Karate College for six consecutive years and trained with Renzo Gracie, Jhoon Rhee, Benny Urquidez and, of course, Superfoot Bill Wallace. After one weekend training with Mr. Wallace, Mr. Schnell saw immediate increases in his flexibility, speed and timing. His involvement over the years with the Superfoot organization included becoming a Certified Superfoot Training Center, editor of the Superfoot Newsletter and a guest instructor at Superfoot Winter Camp.
In 2006, Mr. Schnell earned his 6th Degree Black Belt under Superfoot and was recently inducted in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame as “Instructor of the Year.”
