This passed Wednesday evening, February 24th, Coach Kurt Pellegrino promoted 17 students along side his mentor and BJJ blackbelt Rob Scheier and fellow training partner, former WEC champion and BJJ Blackbelt, Miguel Torres.

The night was especially monumental as Coach Kurt awarded his first ever BJJ blackbelt to the more than deserving, Coach Kevin Roddy. Kevin has trained under Coach Kurt for more than 7 years and has always been a sincerely loyal and dedicated student and friend. So a huge congratulations goes out to the academy's FIRST EVER BJJ blackbelt, Kevin Roddy! Kevin assists in the evening advanced BJJ classes, so now the class will be taught by TWO blackbelts. Kevin also teaches his own BJJ classes on Tuesday & Thursday mornings at 10am, so get yourself in the blackbelt's classes!

Here is the complete list of newly promoted students, who's hard work and dedication to training is paying off!

GREEN BELTS:
Joe Andujar
Yavuz Eriske
Jeff Amendola
Ismael Garcia
Darryn Kupratis
Matt Salisbury
Chris Rahmano

BLUE BELTS:
Craig Thieme
Timmy Hands
Gus "The Bus" Brandstetter
Mike Lui

PURPLE BELTS:
Brain Satcher
Lester Caslow

BROWN BELTS:
Justin Haskins
David Church
Gregory Soto

BLACK BELT:
Coach Kevin Roddy

*Pictured is Coach Kurt with newly promoted Coach Kevin Roddy. Check out the photo galleries for more pictures of the promotion ceremony.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM!