Meet the Certified Bowling Green Judo Club Coaches
Bowling Green Judo club has a very knowledgeable coaching staff. Many of the coaches with Bowling Green Judo Club are Certified with the United States Judo Association (USJA) and/or USA Judo. Our goal is to provide the best Judo instruction with the maximum amount of fun. Safety is our highest priority and certified coaches are well trained.
Sensei Clint Brizendine holds the rank of Godan - Fifth degree Black Belt in Judo and has been a black belt since 1984. He is a USJA Certified National Coach and Rank Examiner. He is a USA Judo Certified Continental Coach and serves on the Kentucky Judo Council. Clint began his practice of Judo in 1965 with the Bowling Green High School Judo Team and coached that team for 3 years. He was a member of the Western Kentucky University Judo Team while attending WKU and was Judo instructor/coach of the Western Kentucky University Judo Team for 15 years after graduation. He co-founded the Bowling Green Kentucky Judo Club in 1994 and serves as head coach and Judo instructor. Clint is retired from the Commonwealth of Kentucky after 34 years. Clint is a Bronze Life Member of the United States Judo Association and annual member of USA Judo.
Sensei Michael Elliott holds the rank of Nidan - Second Degree Black Belt. He began his Judo training in 2005. Sensei Mike is a USA Judo Certified National Coach. He is a defensive tactics instructor, trained Kray Maga instructor and trained in Gracie survival tactics levels 1 and 2. Captain Elliott is a training officer and instructor for the Bowling Green Police Department's training academy. Sensei Mike is a winning Judo competitor, instructor and team fitness trainer. He leads our women's self-defense classes. Mike is a member of the United States Judo Association and USA Judo.
Sensei Terri Grow holds the rank of Shodan - First DegreeBlack Belt 1st and is an outstanding class instructor and mentor to all of our students. She has been enjoying, learning and practicing Judo since 2017 and has a proven record as a competent and knowledgeable instructor in her understanding of both Judo vocabulary and technical skills. She plays a key role in organizing and teaching our Women's Self Defense and Awareness clinics routinely offered. Terri has completed our Club Instructor Program and is a USJA Certified Coach. She has a heart for teaching and shaping our young and adult students to be their best. Terri is an annual member of the United States Judo Association.
Coach Ashley Ward, Brown belt is our newest certified coach. Ashley began her Judo practice in 2021 with her family of 5 who all enjoy their club membership with Bowling Green Judo. Her enthusiasm for Judo and commitment to training on the mat and study off the mat has enabled her to be a valued asset and leader to our Judo program.
Coach William Sofield, Brown belt, has been practicing Judo since 2022. He is a consistent presence in both our junior and senior classes. He is a valued member of our coaching team and provides helpful insights, enthusiastic encouragement and skillful individual instruction to our beginning students. His commitment to training on the mat and study off the mat has also enabled him to be a valued asset and leader to our Judo program.
Sensei Donna Turk holds the rank of Rokudan - Sixth degree Black Belt in Judo and had extensive training in Russian Sambo Wrestling. She began her Judo in 1973 in Indianapolis, IN. She was the head instructor and started the first USJA Judo club at Krannert Community Center in 1979. Donna was Indiana State Judo Champion in 48 kilos for 6 years and Senior Female Competitor of the Year for 3 years. She was a member of the USA National Women's Team from 1981-1983 placing in various national and international competitions. Sensei Donna was the national champion in Women's Sambo at 46 kilos in 1983 and was a member of the USA Pan American Sambo team in 1983 finishing as Silver Medalist. Donna was the team manager and coach for several USA Women's International teams as well as one of the coaches for the 1987 Pan American Games. Donna is a life member of the United States Judo Association, USJA Certified Coach and Rank Examiner. Donna is a Life Member of the United States Judo Association and annual member of USA Judo.
Sensei Clint Brizendine holds the rank of Godan - Fifth degree Black Belt in Judo and has been a black belt since 1984. He is a USJA Certified National Coach and Rank Examiner. He is a USA Judo Certified Continental Coach and serves on the Kentucky Judo Council. Clint began his practice of Judo in 1965 with the Bowling Green High School Judo Team and coached that team for 3 years. He was a member of the Western Kentucky University Judo Team while attending WKU and was Judo instructor/coach of the Western Kentucky University Judo Team for 15 years after graduation. He co-founded the Bowling Green Kentucky Judo Club in 1994 and serves as head coach and Judo instructor. Clint is retired from the Commonwealth of Kentucky after 34 years. Clint is a Bronze Life Member of the United States Judo Association and annual member of USA Judo.
Sensei Michael Elliott holds the rank of Nidan - Second Degree Black Belt. He began his Judo training in 2005. Sensei Mike is a USA Judo Certified National Coach. He is a defensive tactics instructor, trained Kray Maga instructor and trained in Gracie survival tactics levels 1 and 2. Captain Elliott is a training officer and instructor for the Bowling Green Police Department's training academy. Sensei Mike is a winning Judo competitor, instructor and team fitness trainer. He leads our women's self-defense classes. Mike is a member of the United States Judo Association and USA Judo.
Sensei Terri Grow holds the rank of Shodan - First DegreeBlack Belt 1st and is an outstanding class instructor and mentor to all of our students. She has been enjoying, learning and practicing Judo since 2017 and has a proven record as a competent and knowledgeable instructor in her understanding of both Judo vocabulary and technical skills. She plays a key role in organizing and teaching our Women's Self Defense and Awareness clinics routinely offered. Terri has completed our Club Instructor Program and is a USJA Certified Coach. She has a heart for teaching and shaping our young and adult students to be their best. Terri is an annual member of the United States Judo Association.
Coach Ashley Ward, Brown belt is our newest certified coach. Ashley began her Judo practice in 2021 with her family of 5 who all enjoy their club membership with Bowling Green Judo. Her enthusiasm for Judo and commitment to training on the mat and study off the mat has enabled her to be a valued asset and leader to our Judo program.
Coach William Sofield, Brown belt, has been practicing Judo since 2022. He is a consistent presence in both our junior and senior classes. He is a valued member of our coaching team and provides helpful insights, enthusiastic encouragement and skillful individual instruction to our beginning students. His commitment to training on the mat and study off the mat has also enabled him to be a valued asset and leader to our Judo program.
Sensei Donna Turk holds the rank of Rokudan - Sixth degree Black Belt in Judo and had extensive training in Russian Sambo Wrestling. She began her Judo in 1973 in Indianapolis, IN. She was the head instructor and started the first USJA Judo club at Krannert Community Center in 1979. Donna was Indiana State Judo Champion in 48 kilos for 6 years and Senior Female Competitor of the Year for 3 years. She was a member of the USA National Women's Team from 1981-1983 placing in various national and international competitions. Sensei Donna was the national champion in Women's Sambo at 46 kilos in 1983 and was a member of the USA Pan American Sambo team in 1983 finishing as Silver Medalist. Donna was the team manager and coach for several USA Women's International teams as well as one of the coaches for the 1987 Pan American Games. Donna is a life member of the United States Judo Association, USJA Certified Coach and Rank Examiner. Donna is a Life Member of the United States Judo Association and annual member of USA Judo.