The Northeastern Illinois University Aikido Club hosted an Aikido Seminar on Saturday, April 4. In attendance were students from Aikido clubs of NEIU, Roosevelt University and Columbia College. These organizations comprise the Grey Cliffs Aikido Center of Chicago.
The NEIU Aikido Club was charted as a student club in 2002. Frank Aguilar has the distinction of being the first student member of the club to earn a Black Belt in Aikido. Frank was awarded the Black Belt rank of Shodan as the result of a grueling one-hour Aikido examination on Saturday.
His performance was outstanding as he demonstrated empty handed and weapon Aikido self defense techniques. In addition, Frank defended himself in a four-man free style attack from the top-ranking Aikidoist present. This group included two Black Belt parishioners. It was an exhilarating demonstration.
Frank was one of the founding members of the club and has served as president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the organization over the past seven years. Through his work he has developed his management and human relation skills, along with his development as an Aikidoist.
We all congratulate Frank on his accomplishment and wish him well in his future endeavors both in Aikido and in his pursuit of his degree in business management.