Dad's concern with self-defense steered McCain toward judo

Among a father's jobs is to be sure his son is always safe and to be sure his son is prepared to protect himself. That's how Kevin McCain was introduced to martial arts.

"Dad took me to learn karate years ago," McCain said. "I've been doing it ever since."

Although karate is still in his background and is occasionally used, judo has become McCain's focus over the years.

"When I trained, one of the other instructors there introduced me to judo, and I just stayed involved," McCain said.

McCain has used his judo abilities to spur life into a program at Southeast Missouri State University.

"It is something different to do," McCain said. "There's more of a sport aspect, whereas karate is more self-defense."

The club, in its first year, practices each Monday and Wednesday for a couple of hours each day. Usually on Monday, the club members are instructed by a teacher on technique. On Wednesday, the club usually drops the basics and digs into the fun stuff, practicing real-life situations on each other.

"It's comparable to a wrestling match," McCain said.

Winners can be chosen three different ways: Land a good throw and cause what is similar to a boxing knockout, knock your opponent into submission, or pin your opponent for 25 seconds.

Practices aren't quite to the extreme of regular matches, but they do stay intense -- they have to since club members often are preparing for tournaments.

"We try to get into every tournament around here," McCain said. "We travel a few places, but most of them are pretty local."

The farthest club members have traveled is Arkansas, but members have fared well in area tournaments.

"We have had a lot of wins," said McCain, who won the light-heavyweight division in his last tournament.

The club will try to get into a tournament in Memphis next month, but doesn't have many other plans other than waiting and entering any tournament members can find.

McCain, a senior, said the club will be in good hands when he leaves in two years.

"I think it will get better," he said. "As more people get interested, more people will join. I think it'll keep going after I leave."

As for his personal future, McCain said he hopes to stay involved with martial arts and become a teacher, although dreams of having a professional career may still be lingering.

"I'll take it as it comes," he said.