WWU Give Day 2021

Hello, we are the WWU Judo Club! Beginning from back in the 1980s the Judo club started as a place for students of all backgrounds to come together and learn the sport of Judo. While helping students learn valuable self-defense skills it is also an awesome form of exercise that allows students to keep not only their minds sharp but their bodies as well. At points in our clubs history we have had more than 30 people on the mat at one time, hosted tournaments, and had players compete at a national level. 

However, in 2015 the club struggled to maintain its status on campus due to the renovation of Carver Gymnasium and became discontinued as a club. In 2018 there was a push by a student leader on campus to reinvigorate the judo club after another Western student made it down to the YMCA for practice at the Whatcom Judo Dojo. After jumping through many hoops, online paperwork, emails, and moving of mats the club was able to once again reach new heights. In the 2019 spring quarter we hosted practice regularly and our attendance grew to average 15 or more students a night. 

This past year we were unable to practice due to the pandemic. However, in March of this year the local community judo club was able to resume practice by collaborating with a local wrestling club, the Whatcom Wrestling Academy. In the Fall we hope to partner once again with the community to practice and build up our club once again. Two of our members were recently promoted to green belt at this club, and two other members were promoted to black belt in May and November of 2020. Congratulations to Ian, Jason, Victoria, and Nate!

As the 2021 Tokyo Olympics nears and Olympic Judo returns to where it began the WWU Judo club is hoping to spread the joy, practice, and camaraderie that a sport like Judo can bring to a community.

In early 2020 we received a grant from the Associated Students of 3000$ to help sponsor a trip to Japan in August of that year. Due to the world's situation the trip was cancelled but we are still guaranteed the funding for this upcoming academic year! The trip would consists of visits to various universities, clubs, and the Kodokan. Allowing for students to promote international exchange through the sport of Judo.

While we are unsure of what next year will look like your donations will go directly to sponsoring students' tournament fees, travel, team gear,  and hopefully help us one day get permanent mat space on campus. If we are unable to travel and/or compete the money will still be held in our club account to help future WWU judoka in the years to come. 

We appreciate your help in any way possible whether that is spreading the word on social media, by word of mouth, or just letting your community know that we're still here!