Komakai

In 1966, Larry Pickel, Glenn Keeney, Jerry Brown, and Larry Davenport purchased the John Chambers Judo Academy. For a short time, the then Jundokan of Indiana was known as the Anderson Gojuryu Karate Club, but soon became the Komakai Academy of Judo and Karate, after Mr. Pickel picked the name out of a Japanese dictionary. Later the judo program was dropped and the dojo became the Komakai Academy of Karate. 

Mr. Pickel joined the dojo to the USKA in 1966 and began attending tournaments.

Over the next four years, the other three sold their interest in the dojo to Mr. Keeney. Mr. Pickel was the first to sell in 1967. Mr. Pickel appointed Mr. Keeney as his successor and by 1969; Mr. Keeney became the sole owner of the Komakai.

There were several Komakai branch dojos, opened by Mr. Keeney's yudansha. I will list the dojos and their instructors, at times the instructors changed, I will also list those instructors as well.

Upland (Taylor University) Komakai (est. 1968) - Mr. Dwight Jacobes
New Jersey Komakai (est. 1970) - Mr. Dwight Jacobes
New Castle Komakai (est. 1972) - Mr. Keeney, Mr. Larry Hoyel, Mr. Alan Goff, Mr. Paul Bridges
Alexandria Komakai (est. 1974) - Mr. Keeney, Mr. Larry Davenport
Fairmount Komakai (est. 1974) - Mr. Mike Cox
Franklin Komakai (est. 1975) - Mr. John Connell, Mr. Ron Rollins, Mr. Ross Scott
Gas City Komakai (est. 1977) - Mr. Curt Jones
Marion Komakai (est. 1982) - Mr. Curt Jones, Mr. Mike Jones
Bern Komakai - Mr. Mike Cox
Atlanta Komakai - Mr. Paul Bridges, Mrs. Kim Bridges
Indianapolis Komakai (est. 1992) - Mr. Curt Jones, Mr. Mike Jones

Komakai was a powerhouse dojo in competition, with several members in hall of fames and several state, national and world champions. Despite its competitive records, the Komakai was also a traditional dojo following the old traditions.

The dojo that began as the Jundokan of Indiana and ended as the Glenn Keeney's Komakai Academy of Karate in Anderson was the oldest continuously operated dojo in Indiana. Mr. Keeney retired and sold his dojo in 2004, ending a 40 year tradition. Unfourtuneatly there were lengthy court proceedings over the Komakai name that was later settled. The result was that no one but the new owner was allowed to use the Komakai name. However, Mr. Keeney has yudansha who operate dojos under their own names with his full blessing, such as, my father (Curt Jones), myself and David Dobbs. While we may not be able to use the name, never the less we still maintain the spirit.