CU Jiu Jitsu — Attraction in Urbana

I am a Blue Belt and I train Gracie JiuJitsu at KiCK Martial Arts in Kansas City. I had been away from home for a week and ended up in Champaign, IL desperate for a JiuJitsu roll. CU Jiu Jitsu was NOT the only gym that I called, but they WERE the one who called me back! Coach Mike was super nice and welcomed me to come in and take a FREE trial class even though it was obvious I was not going to sign-up, and he even refused to allow me to pay for the class à la carte. Thank you, CU Jiu Jitsu!

My experience was great! I was the odd man out as this gym focuses on sport jiujitsu whereas Gracie Jiujitsu is much more focused on the Self Defense aspect of Jiujitsu. At the time I only had the Gracie Combatives belt, which is an intermediate belt before Blue, earned before being introduced to rolling. Many of the students at CU Jiu Jitsu were curious about my odd-looking belt, and I was honored to tell them all about Gracie Jiu Jitsu, but this review is not about that.

My visit to CU Jiu Jitsu happened towards the end of the pandemic and vaccinations were plentiful. The school continued to follow best practices limiting access to the facility and scanning temperatures upon entry. The head instructor, Professor James, greeted me. He was nice and welcoming. With paperwork behind us and a quick tour of the facility, away I went to the locker rooms. The locker room has showers and plenty of lockers. Don’t forget to bring shower shoes so you don’t contaminate the mats!

The warm-up started on time. I think there were 12-15 people in the JiuJitsu class, with many of them staying for the wrestling class afterward. The warm-up was typical grappling school type of warm-up, but the instructor did have it written on a board and announced a goal of completing it in X minutes which added a nice challenge to it. After that, a couple of techniques were demonstrated and drilled. The class had many colored belts in it from Black to white. After the technique portion, we squeezed in a couple rounds of rolling. Thank you to my partners Kenny (Blue belt) and Coach Fabio (Brown Belt).

This was my first time cross-training at another gym/school. I highly recommend it, and I recommend you checking out CU Jiu Jitsu if you are in the area. Thank you to all the Instructors and students who made my experience enjoyable and welcoming!

Feedback: We cannot all be perfect all the time. This is constructive feedback and by no means do I have any grievance. With that said, I’m not sure how kid friendly the adult classes are. One student’s children were doing what kids do. They were addressed as “‘s kids get off the rolled-up mats!” But I don’t think the kids were used to being addressed that way, nor did they pickup on the fact that THEY were the ones playing on the rolled-up mats. So the command was shouted out a few more times before they got the hint. It was just a brief distraction that may have been unnecessary or handled...

I purchased a six-month contract with CUBJJ. After repeated disrespect by the owner, I will no longer step foot inside his studio.

The owner demonstrated insensitivity towards the issue of rape. Before my first class, I disclosed my trauma history to the owner. The owner mistook my request for him to understand my needs as a request for free classes. Rather than seeking to understand my needs, the owner commented: "I can't give you free classes just because you've been raped." Although I would understand this response if I had, in fact, wanted free classes. However, I did not seek free classes or his pity. Rather, I wanted him to understand my limitations so that I could reach my training goals. Instead of working out a way to provide classes in a way that is sensitive to my needs, the owner insulted me by confusing my disclosure of sexual assault history with a ply for pity.

The owner disrespected my time. While attending classes at CUBJJ, the owner sent me multiple personal emails in which he attempted to convince me that I should become a seven-day-per-week janitor at his studio in exchange for the classes which I already pay him for. As the studio smells like the Young Mens' Society for Health and Hygiene held an armpit appreciation convention at a McDonalds' PlayPlace, I do understand the owners' desperation to find reliable janitorial staff. However, the frequency and fervency with which he contacted me about this matter shows disrespect for student time.

The owner makes frequent requests for monetary donations from students. He will even stop drills so that he can lecture his students on the importance of donating to the studio.

I left CUBJJ because the owner disrespected me in multiple ways. If you're looking to learn Jiu Jitsu in a supportive environment, I...

With a rich history spanning over 45 years, my journey through various martial arts disciplines has been both enlightening and fulfilling. I had the privilege of establishing my own martial arts school from 1990 to 2007, where I honed my skills as both a practitioner and an instructor.

However, at a pivotal juncture in my life, I yearned to return to the role of a student. This desire led me to the world of jiu-jitsu in my 40s, and at the age of 61, I discovered a place that felt like the perfect home at CU Jiu Jitsu. Under the expert guidance of Coach Stoller, whom I am grateful to refer to as Mike, I have not only found a dedicated teacher but also a welcoming community. My passion for teaching remains unwavering, and I find great joy in sharing my knowledge, particularly through instructing recruit officers in defensive tactics at the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. Coach Stoller has graciously allowed me to contribute my expertise to our martial arts family, making it an ideal environment to pursue my jiu-jitsu journey.

I consider it an immense honor to be a part of the CU Jiu Jitsu family. I wholeheartedly recommend it to individuals of all ages and skill levels within our community. As a former police officer and retired director of the University of Illinois Police Training Institute, I am especially inclined to endorse this dojo to fellow law enforcement officers. Mike also extends his support through the Adopt-a-Cop program at his school, providing special opportunities for our law enforcement community.

I proudly stand by CU Jiu Jitsu as a place of growth, camaraderie, and exceptional martial arts instruction. Join us on this journey, and together, let us reach...