Texas Taekwondo Origins: Jeff Smith in Kingsville, 1965

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Grand Master Jeff Smith started martial arts in 1965 at about fourteen, in the karate club at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. The club belonged to the Texas network built by Jhoon Rhee and his first black belts, including Allen Steen and Pat Burleson, and it trained in what is remembered as the “Blood-and-Guts” era of Texas karate.^1,2,3

How did Jeff Smith get into a college karate club at fourteen?

Smith grew up in Kingsville, where his mother worked at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University–Kingsville). As a junior-high newspaper carrier he saw a sign for a karate demonstration in the student-union ballroom. The club was open only to college students, but after his mother spoke with the dean, Smith and several other faculty children were allowed to join.^1,4

What was the Texas “Blood-and-Guts” era?

MAIA’s profile places Smith’s start in a period when white belts sparred college students within two weeks, with no pads, mouthpieces or cups.¹ By Smith’s account Jhoon Rhee visited the Texas college clubs every semester, or about every three months, to teach, oversee training and test students.^2,5,6 Martial Arts Professional places Smith among the early students of the “Jhoon Rhee – Allen Steen/Pat Burleson schools in Texas,” alongside Pat Worley, Larry Carnahan, and Gran Moulder and Bob Olinghouse, who later became Stephen Oliver’s first instructors.⁷ USAdojo calls Smith “a product of the rugged Texas schools.”⁸

When did Jeff Smith earn his black belt?

Smith earned his 1st Degree black belt in September 1969.^2,5,9 He ran the A&I club as a brown belt and continued to run it after his test, and he graduated from Texas A&I in 1970.¹

Where did he first compete?

His first tournament was in Houston in 1966.¹⁰ He went on to compete in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana before moving to Washington, and later said, “There’s not a state in the country where I haven’t competed in a point fight.”¹ In 1973 he came back to Dallas for Allen Steen’s 10th U.S. Championships on the Washington team coached by Jhoon Rhee, beat Demetrius Havanas 3–0, and helped D.C. beat Texas 6–4.¹¹ His full results are on Jeff Smith’s Point-Fighting Career.

From Texas to Washington

In 1970 Smith accepted Rhee’s invitation to teach in Washington, D.C.^1,12 The Texas lineage he came from went on to produce a remarkable share of American champions: at the 1987 WAKO World Championships, seven of the 13 American medalists came from the Jhoon Rhee and Allen Steen systems, with Smith as head coach.¹³

Frequently asked questions

Where did Jeff Smith start martial arts?

At the Texas A&I University karate club in Kingsville, Texas, in 1965, when he was about fourteen.^1,2

Who taught at the Texas clubs Jeff Smith trained in?

They belonged to the network built by Jhoon Rhee and his first black belts, including Allen Steen and Pat Burleson; Rhee visited every semester to teach and test.^3,2

Work with Grand Master Jeff Smith

School owners can book a free Growth Diagnostic: 30 minutes with Grand Master Jeff Smith and 30 minutes with Grand Master Stephen Oliver. See how it works.