by Susan Szymusiak

The name "Karate Institute" (KI) was adopted by our club in February, 1971 through a merger worked out between KI Directors David J. Praim and David E. Prue and Algene Caraulia, three-time International and World Karate Champion. Mr. Praim and Mr. Prue organized the Michigan branches of KI. Mr. Caraulia's schools, specializing in Kaju Kempo, were located primarily in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

KI Director David J. Praim received his initial karate training in Korea in 1957 while stationed there with the United Sates Army. His instructor was Lee Jong Ha, a student of Pak Sang Man. Pak Sang Man was trained directly by Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan - Tang Soo Do style of karate. Mr. Praim spent five years in Korea during which time he earned his first degree black belt (1961) as well as his second degree black belt (1962). Upon being honorably discharged from the armed services in 1962, he returned to his home state of Michigan and established his first club under the name "Karate School and Club". This club was started in Mt. Clemens, Michigan and began with 10 members.

While running his classes, Mr. Praim continued to train and was promoted to third degree black belt in 1966. In that same year, he was appointed the American representative of Moo Duk Kwan - Tang Soo Do by Master Hwang Kee. He earned his fourth degree black belt in 1970. Mr. Praim has trained and coached several championship karate teams including the 1971 Ohio State team champions, the 1972 Michigan State team champions, the 1972 North American team champions, and the Detroit All Stars Professional Karate Team. He currently holds an eighth degree black belt in Moo Duk Kwan - Tang Soo Do and trains under the guidance of Grandmaster Jae Joon Kim. Mr. Praim presently directs the Rose Shores branch of Karate Institute located in Rose Shores, Michigan. Mr. David E. Prue, co-founder of Karate Institute, began studying karate in 1960. He became a student of Mr. Praim in 1962. After a year of intensive training with Mr. Praim, Mr. Prue earned his first degree black belt in 1963. He earned his second degree black belt in 1967. During that same year, Mr. Prue was appointed the assistant director of Moo Duk Kwan in Michigan by Master Hwang Kee. In 1971, he became Michigan State Director of Karate Institute. Mr. Prue currently holds a sixth degree black belt.

The Bloomfield Hills branch of Karate Institute is directed by Mr. David Swartz, seventh degree black belt. He is assisted by Mr. Mark Seaton,third Degree Black Belt, Mr. Bryan Levy, fourth degree black belt and Mr. Daryl Palm fourth dergee Black Belt. Mr. Swartz was trained by Mr. Robert Kelver, Mr. Ken Baker and Mr. Gene Clifford (students of Mr. David Praim) at the Utica High School branch of KI located in Utica, Michigan. He earned his first degree black belt in September, 1976. During this period, it was customary for all KI black belt candidates to train for a time with Mr. Praim prior to testing. Mr. Swartz trained with Mr. Praim for six months prior to testing for his first degree black belt.

In 1977, Mr. Swartz together with then red belt, Mr. Mark Seaton (also a student of Mr. Kelver, Mr. Baker and Mr. Clifford), established a new KI branch in Lake Orion, Michigan as part of the Lake Orion Parks and Recreation Department. In November of 1978, Mr. Mark Seaton was sponsored for black belt testing by Mr. Swartz and earned his black belt in a testing held in Cleveland, Ohio at the studios of Mr. Algene Caraulia. At that time, Mr. Caraulia's students often tested with Michigan KI students, especially during black belt testings. In 1980, Mr. Swartz and Mr. Seaton left the Lake Orion Parks and Recreation Department due to budget cuts. They relocated their club at its present site, Bloomfield Hills Middle School, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Since that time, Mr. Swartz has trained over 40 black belts in the art of Moo Duk Kwan - Tang Soo Do. In addition all KI students are taught a variety of self defense techniques for use against unarmed and armed attackers. KI students also receive training in traditional karate weapons. Mr. Swartz has trained extensively in the use of the bo, the sai and nunchaku. Bo and nunchaku training is a required part of the KI curriculum.

Mr. Swartz was awarded his seventh degree black belt in April of 2001. Mr. Seaton received his third degree black belt in March of 1990.

Every year in September, the Bloomfield Hills branch of Karate Institute co-sponsors the Four Seasons Karate Championship open tournament with Mr. Hayme Serrato's Four Seasons Karate studio. Mr. Serrato is a former student of Mr. Swartz's and the two men have co-directed the Four Seasons Open Karate Championship for the last 15 years. This tournament is rated "A" by the Michigan Karate Circuit and is an annual stop for many top-rated national karate competitors. It is held at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan on the third Sunday in September.

Karate Institute has been honored to have several distinguished guests attend our KI events through the years. In 1970, Grandmaster Hwang Kee was brought to Michigan to attend a black belt testing. In addition, on November 12, 1983, Mr. Chuck Norris attended the 1983 Black Belt Testing, Tournament and Banquet held that year in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. In 1994, Mr. Michael Bernardo, three-time North American Weapons Champion, attended the Four Seasons Open Karate Championships. He was gracious enough to judge several events at the tournament and served as an inspiration to many of the competitors. You can imagine what a privilege it was to have each of these outstanding martial artists share in our KI activities.