Shihan Patrick believes that through sustained dedication, a student will attain personal growth, self-development, confidence, and the ability to take control of their personal safety through the use of jujitsu. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt and was granted his own martial arts system “Westover Jujitsu-Ryu” bonded through the U.S. Kodokan Federation under Professor Angelo Albergo and Supreme Grandmaster Lou Ferrer. He has also trained under the tutelage of Dr. Joe Jones, founder of the Jo-Ryu-Jujitsu system since July 7, 1992. Shihan Patrick has added to his jujitsu expertise by attending seminars conducted by the late Professor Moses Powel of the Sanucus-Ryu Jujitsu system and also holds a Masters Degree in Leadership from Albertus Magnus College.
The first Westover School of Self-Defense adult class was held on March 20th, 1996 with an interactive Jujitsu seminar to honor Federal Women’s History month. Shihan Patrick served in the Air Force for 25 years and taught Jujitsu, “the gentle art” to adults for eight years at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee Massachusetts. He trained many professionals that included Military Security, Special Forces and FBI members. In 2008 Shihan Patrick was deployed for six months to Iraq and volunteered to start a Jujitsu class for the Army while overseas. He had approximately 50 students and taught throughout his entire deployment. In 2010 when activated in his military service, Shihan Patrick taught Jujitsu again for six months at the military fitness center, just prior to his retirement from the Air Force in 2011.
A couple of Shihan Patrick’s achievements include his induction into the Christian Martial Arts World Hall of Fame on August 3rd 1998 for Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts and the completion of his Master thesis, with distinction, on the connection between the martial arts and leadership development.
To view Shihan Patrick’s thesis: “Martial Arts and Leadership…Evolving in Synchronicity” Click here.
Westover Self Defense Opening Night
