Joe Wagner

My martial arts training began after starting college at Texas A&M University in the fall of 1968. My instructor was John Walior, a 3rd degree black belt in Wado Ryu, an Okinawa style of karate. Four years later, I earned my black belt. By that time I realized that the belt itself was not my most important achievement; the real and lasting achievements were greatly improved attitude and true self-confidence.

During my final year of college, I taught my own class. After graduation, I moved to Beaumont, Texas where I taught young students at the YMCA. In 1977 I was transferred to the CSRA. After several attempts to find a compatible school, without success, life and work got in the way and I ceased to be involved in the martial arts.

In the fall of 2001, my then 13-year-old son, Ryan, wanted to learn karate so I enrolled him in Mr. Steve Mundy’s school in N. Augusta. After watching him for some months and after several discussions with Mr. Mundy, I decided to chance resuming my own training. As I was born in 1950, my age was a consideration. Fortunately, I survived getting back in shape and when Mr. Mundy opened his own school, I became an assistant instructor for him. With the merger of the Augusta and North Augusta Tang Soo Do schools, I recognized an increased learning opportunity for both my son and for myself.

Email Joe at Jwagner@STSDKarate.Com