An Historic Night

Saturday night was a milestone in the evolution of Shen Chuan, Martial Science. Professor Lansdale has always been a visionary and on the cutting edge when it comes to Martial Arts. It came as no surprise that his wishes for his system would be fulfilled during his lifetime and not after he was dead and gone. His vision of passing his system on to his Soke Dai, Professor Coy Harry, came to fruition while during our banquet Professor Lansdale rose to speak. Reiterating his intention that his system be passed on to Coy while he was still young enough to enjoy it and to grow into it, Professor Lansdale passed the system torch to Professor Coy Harry and named Professor Billy Jack Worsham his Soke Dai. In a moving speech, Professor Lansdale outlined the qualities and characteristics that would cement the notion of Professor Coy leading the system into the future.

Professor Coy Harry was recognized for his tireless work and dedication to Shen Chuan by being promoted to 8th Dan with the title of Grand Master. With Coy's promotion Professor Lansdale is now the Senior Grand Master and Founder of Shen Chuan.

As we all know Coy is seldom at a loss for words, however those in attendance were witness to one of those rare moments. I think he might really have emotions as anonymous sources reported watery eyes.

Now Professor Lansdale is by no means out of the picture. He is still very much the driving force behind Shen Chuan, and will continue to be for many years to come. More on that from the Professor hisownself later on. He continues to teach Shen Chuan regularly, that is when we can keep him in town and he's not off jet-setting across the globe.

Professor Lansdale continued by appointing Professor Worsham as Coy's Soke Dai. In typical Lansdale fashion he quipped of Professor Worsham being known from now on as "the Right Hand to Professor Coy. Even though he is left-handed. So we may have to change his title to the Left Hand".

After presenting the appropriate paperwork to make everything 'official', Professor Coy took center stage.

Elaborating on his years in Shen Chuan, Professor Coy moved us all. We all can only aspire to become the Martial Artist that Professor Harry has become and I personally look forward to the future of Shen Chuan with him at the helm.

Another highlight of the camp was the testing and subsequent promotions of Adam Coats and Larry "Doc" Laurich to 2nd degree Black Belts. It was a testing on par with what has become the rule rather than the exception in Shen Chuan. To earn a black belt in our system is something to behold. And these two looked awesome! Congrats guys!

Now this years camp is nearly on us. October is just around the corner. HERE is the Schedule for Camp Lansdale 13, to be held October 2nd - 4th, 2009: