More to it then just one person.

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

Many times in martial arts people will talk about it more as an individual thing. And in many ways it is, however I think it’s important to understand that without the support team around you only so much can be done.

You need the right training partners, coaches and environment in order to excel. You can’t be missing any one thing, it’s sort of a triangle. In order, this is how I would list it:

  • The right training environment
  • The right coaching staff
  • The right training partners and friends

    • Put those 3 things together………=SUCCESS. 

    Here at Ivey league Mixed Martial Arts, one of the main things, if not the main thing we shoot for is peace and harmony amongst the students and staff. If someone comes in to take classes, and they just have a poor attitude, or have an ego, or think they’re better then everyone else…..we kick them out.

    The reason why is that if you have this awesome martial arts school, you run great classes and have great students, all good things. That can all be ruined if you get a bad apple in the training room. Just like the old saying, one bad apple spoils the bunch! So when you have a student that’s a bad apple you have to remove the apple in order to maintain that peace and harmony environment.

    I sent out a survey a while back asking the students what they loved and hated about my academy, Ivey league MMA. Everyone said the main thing they loved was the happy, friendly environment we provide.

    That’s not by accident, I can assure you. We work very hard to make sure that we get the right people in and keep the wrong people out.

    So keep in mind that when choosing a martial arts school to train at, don’t just look at the size of the school or the level of the tournament team but rather pay attention to the training environment and if the academy has that feel of peace and harmony, pretty much is the staff nice and does everyone look/seem happy?

    I know here at Ivey league Mixed Martial Arts we sure are and I’m happy as heck about it!

    –Master Danny “The Half Guard Guy” Ives
    P.S. Below is a list of upcoming events at Ivey League MMA

    February 25th, 2012
    In-House Gracie Jujitsu and Grappling tournament, held at Ivey league MMA in Annapolis/Severna Park Maryland

    March 3rd, 2012
    Judo seminar for children martial arts students and an adult Judo seminar for CAP students, held at Ivey league MMA in Annapolis/Severna Park Maryland

    March 24th, 2012
    Ivey League MMA 4 year anniversary party!

    Peace and Harmony start with the owners of Ivey League, Danny Ives and Teresa Russin

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    Pan Kids Results from California! Ivey League brings in 4 medals

    Posted on February 22, 2012 by

    This past weekend the kids competition team traveled to California for the Pan Kids Tournament. This was the 3rd year in a row that the staff, kids and parents made the long trip to the west coast in search of greatness.

    Silly man Mike Graham, being....well SILLY!

    What is Pan Kids? Pan Kids is a children’s only grappling/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament. No striking (punching or kicking). It’s kind of like wrestling but with submission holds and a kimono (gi) on.

    Pan Kids is by far the biggest and toughest tournament for children’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. That’s why we go.

    Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts goes every year and this year was the biggest and toughest yet!

    We sent 7 kids to compete. Those kids were:

     

    • Alexia Lara
    • Matt Graham
    • Eric Graham 
    • Michael Graham
    • Emily Dvorak
    • Brenden “Spike” Bill
    • Andrew Dvorak

     

    The trip started with everyone getting to Los Angeles around mid week. We met up for some awesome team training with other members of Team Lloyd Irvin academies like Camp Springs Maryland (Main Team Lloyd Irvin School), Purebred Guam, Crazy 88 BJJ, Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts and Nashville MMA.

    Team Lloyd Irvin Kids at the UFC Training Center in California

    The training we did was nothing short of great! The kids got to work together and learn from each other.
    We did our training at the brand new UFC training center, located in Torrance, California. The UFC higher ups even took pictures of us for their website and said they would feature Team Lloyd Irvin as the worlds #1 youth BJJ team.
    The tournament started on Sunday, the 19th. As always the level was high and the kids needed to be playing with their A game if they wanted to medal.
    Below are the children that pulled in medals for Ivey League MMA:
    • Emily (Silver)
    • Matt Graham (Silver)
    • Alexia Lara (Silver)
    • Eric Graham (Bronze)
    Like always, we’re super proud of the kids and all the hard work they put in just to make it to this point. The only team member missing was Holden Murphy, which was due to wrestling commitments. He was missed and will be a welcome back for next year.
    After the event we treated ourselves to Fatburger, which I’m pretty sure put a solid 10 pounds on me!
    We also ended up going to Disneyland! I’m still blown away by how smooth they run that place. The kids has a great time as did the adults. In my opinion the best ride at Disneyland was “pirates of the Caribbean”….simply amazing stuff.
    Thanks so much not just to the kids and staff that made this event so special but also to the parents. Thanks to:
    • Grant and Amy Dvorak
    • Bonnie Dlozvioa
    • Dawn and Bob Graham
    • Luis Lara

    Emily Dvorak shows that it's not always about gis and belts!


    Without great parents like the ones above this would never have happened!
    When we return for a 4th year to Pan Kids and look for even bigger and better things from Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts!
    –Master Danny “The Half Guard Guy” Ives
    Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts
    836 Ritchie Hwy Unit #5
    Severna Park, Md 21146
    www.annapolismma.com
    443-517-8958

    The man, the legend, Master Donnie Achnick!

    Spike, Romeo Gilmore and Seth Fillers

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    Upcoming MMA Business Events!

    Posted on February 20, 2012 by

    This weekend the best MMA gyms in Annapolis, Maryland (and the rest of the country) are conglomerating again!

    mma in annapolis, bjj classes in annapolis, mma classes in maryland, best mma gym in maryland, mma training in annapolis

    Studying To Be The Best MMA Gym In Annapolis!

    I figured I would just let you all know where I am going to be next weekend.  With a strong desire to constantly be stepping up the legitimacy of our MMA gym from ALL angles, I am going to go suffer and learn a bunch of crazy math-related business stuff… for you my dear students. 

    At Ivey League MMA we have been expanding at an incredible pace due to the awesome team we have working together and because of the enthusiasm of our students… this leads to a great vibe…one that indicates to me that the sky is the limit for us at Ivey League!

    Since I believe this to be the case, I am going to continue to grow as a businessman and make our operations run as smoothly as possible.  I am lucky enough to be associated with Master Lloyd Irvin and all the great guys he has working with him.  Guys like Marcos Avellan of Freestyle Fighting Academy and Master Chim Chim of Jungle Gym.

    Below is a video of one of my main mentors in MMA and business-

    I also am looking forward to seeing my buddy and new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu national champion Dan Faggella for a few days!  I’m sure he will be driving all the way from his BJJ gym in Rhode Island for this knowledge.  See you soon Dan!

    All in all I look forward to furthering the progress of Ivey League MMA and turning into one of the best MMA and BJJ gyms in the entire state of Maryland and this trip will help me do that!

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    Teresa Russin – The Best Part Of Florida Is Right Here In Maryland!

    Posted on February 13, 2012 by

    Instead of our normal “student spotlight” today I thought I’d do an “instructor spotlight”

     Well, we’re very lucky here at Ivey league Mixed Martial Arts. We have lots of great instructors. This didn’t happen over night btw, no no not at all. We had to go through some “not-so-good” people to get the right ones in here teaching classes.
    I’ll let you in on a little secret, finding the right people to teach your martial arts classes is no easy task. People will come in and tell me how much they like the instructors we have and all I can think is “well it sure took us long enough to find the right ones and train them so I’m glad everyone likes ‘em!”
    With all that said, and the real reason I wanted to write this blog was to talk about an instructor we have on staff here that is very very special.
    Special to me and to many others, let me go on….
    Her name is Miss Teresa Russin and she’s my lovely girlfriend of almost 4 years (yes I should propose but I fear her Father and am afraid to ask him for his blessing..)

    Teresa Russin With The Stare Of Doom! (Most Likely Aimed At Master Danny Ives)

    She came to us from Florida where she worked as a urban planner for the University of Florida (UF). In Florida she had started taking Karate lessons at the local club called World Martial Arts.
    I owe a lot to Wado Kai because if it wasn’t for them Miss Teresa might never had made it to Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts.
    Myself and Miss Teresa met in June of 2008 in Annapolis Maryland and it was love at first site. We’ve been together ever since and I haven’t looked back.
    She started training with us at Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts when she moved here. She’s said many times that she feels so lucky to have found Ivey League and Team Lloyd Irvin.
    Miss Teresa trained night and day with myself and many other members from Team Lloyd Irvin like Master Lloyd Irvin himself, Julius Park, Cathy Tran and Al Washington. 
    On March 1st, 2010 Miss Teresa was awarded her Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the Team Lloyd Irvin flag. She said it was one of the happiest moments of her life, and we believe her.
    She started doing instructor training with me (Danny “The Half Guard Guy” Ives) in 2009 and in time I gave her the Ivey League Tweens/Teens martial arts classes. Pretty much Miss Teresa was to run that whole program as she saw fit.

    Ms. Teresa Of Ivey League MMA In Annapolis Maryland Training With Cathy Tran

    Run it she did….right to the top of the MMA world.
    She’s done a fantastic jobs with our kids, to say the least! In less then 1 year of training she was able to produce 2 Pan Kids Medals, Gold from Aleixa Lara and Silver from Holden Murphy. (Pan Kids is the hardest kids BJJ tourney in the USA).
    Miss Teresa truly has a gift for teaching and we’re lucky to have her here at Ivey League MMA. The kids have never looked better and the classes are packed, a true sign of a job done well.
    Miss Teresa has also been a great role model for the kids, especially the females. As any parent knows, teenage girls can be a handful and Miss Teresa was once one herself so she can relate to many of the problems that the girls go through as they grow up, something myself and the other male staff have no clue about! I think it’s very important to have a strong female involved in your martial arts classes and someone the girls can look up to and come to for advise. It also shows the younger girls that you can do and you’re not alone.
    So, if you make it into Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts and you see a pretty young lady working with the teenagers chances are you’re looking at Miss Teresa Russin. Guys, you’re only allowed to hit on Miss T when I’m not around, haha.
    Miss Teresa Russin, the heart and soul of Ivey League MMA! 

    Miss Teresa Russin, Here To Save The Day!

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    Student Spotlight – Lauren “Leader Of The Pack” Crino

    Posted on February 12, 2012 by

    Some people are born leaders. Others learn how to be great leaders. In the end the goal is the same.

    At Ivey league MMA our goal is to make normal everyday kids into the great leaders of tomorrow. Today is a cliff notes version of how we do that and It all starts with the great kids we have coming through our academy.

    With that said I wanted to talk about a young lady we have in our teens program. Her name is Lauren Crino, and if I ever saw a born leader, it would have to be her.

    Lauren came to Ivey League Mixed Martial Arts about a year about. Her friend Isabelle Williams told her about our classes and how much fun they were so Lauren asked her family to bring her in.

    We can’t take all the credit for Lauren, not at all. She comes from a great military family with both Mom and Dad having served for our country (Thanks for that btw!).

    When I met Lauren she seemed shy but at the same time very confident but like I said above, I thought she was a born leader based on the way she carried herself. I guess sometimes you can just “sense” these things?

    What I thought was shyness was really more of a feeling out process for her. She wanted to make sure the staff at Ivey League was on the up and up, which of course we are!

    It wasn’t long before she excelled in her martial arts classes. Not long at all in fact I’d say Lauren picked up techniques faster then most kids her age or older (faster then adults too).

    Picking up techniques at Ivey league can be tricky for kids because they learn 4+ styles of self defense, which are:

    • Gracie Jiu Jitsu
    • Muay Thai Kickboxing
    • Wrestling
    • Judo
    Lauren picked it all up fast but we do admit that she had a taste for Gracie Jiu Jitsu and seemed to learn that the fastest (she’s darn good at Jiu Jitsu too!)

    In fact, she was so good that we asked her to be in our Black Belt Club Program (BBC) much faster then we normally would have.

    She was also the first child that we accepted into our new Leadership program, a course designed to teach kids how to lead teams and people, both on the mats and in life.

    I know at this point you’re asking this question:

    “If she was born leader and talented right out of the gate, what did she really get from Ivey League MMA?”

    A fair question and here is my answer:

    We brought out the true leader in Lauren by having her lead the kids through workouts, help the little kids in training and just all around show all the other kids what it takes to be a champion. Giving her that role was the challenge she needed and it showcased her leadership skills.

    We made her a leader by challenging her with high level techniques and live rolling that put her in a safe but pressured situation. Aka we made her tough physically and mentally
    (something Ivey League training is known for).

    We put her (and her family put her*) into a class environment that brought out all her abilities, something that would not have happened with a team sport like soccer or softball.

    Achievement has a lot to do with the people you surround yourself with. Lauren is around other like minded and champion kids so this pushes her harder to be the best she can be (which in Lauren’s case she always shoots for the sky anyway).

    In one year Lauren has:

    • Made it into the BBC program (Ivey League’s version of a PHD program)
    • Made the Leadership team (but of course:)
    • Got her Gold belt
    • Became an assistant Volunteer for lil ninja classes

    So yeah, the staff and myself think the world of this young superstar in the making.

    I should also mention that martial arts seem to run in her blood as I believe her uncle owns and runs his own academy in New York.

    Hats off to you Lauren Crino! Way to be a leader and not a follower! We’re very proud of you kiddo.

    I also have to give big props to my girlfriend and head teens instructor at Ivey league MMA, Miss Teresa Russin, she’s the driving force behind the teens/tweens program!

    Below is a photo of Lauren so that when she becomes president you can say you saw her first on my MMA news blog, haha.

    –Master Danny Ives

    www.annapolismma.com


    BBC/Leadership Team Member Lauren Crino (On the right) practicing takedowns on Aleixa Lara

    BBC/Leadership Team Member Lauren Crino practicing takedowns on Aleixa Lara
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    Posted on February 10, 2012 by
    rhode island BJJ champion, dan faggella

    Coach Dan Faggella, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor in Rhode Island, and one of my Mentees.

    Today I would like to congratulate my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu buddy from little ol’ Rhode Island, Dan Faggella, owner and head instructor at Black Diamond Mixed Martial Arts.  Danny and I go way back…I remember meeting him when he was a motivated blue belt when he came to visit my instructor’s gym, Team Lloyd Irvin.

    We got in a few grappling session in Camp Springs (at Master Lloyd’s main academy) and I showed him a bunch of details on sweeps after some rolling.

    Dan Faggella, Me, and Jiu Jitsu!

    Danny immediately caught my attention with his outgoing and extremely friendly personality… he then caught my attention with his crazy, “little guy” Jiu Jitsu game.  Since then he has traveled down here from Rhode Island multiple times and has stayed with me and trained at my gym and its always a pleasure to have him.

    I knew he had ambition to improve as a martial artist and so I gave him some pretty sound advice in his early days. Which grapplers to follow and watch, which BJJ technique areas to focus on, which techniques were working or weren’t working.

    As my mentee, I recorded a nice recommendation video for his main website a number of months back, too.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VULmrNoizWc

    The passion he has for his Jiu Jitsu game transfers over to his passion for his gym ownership as well.  Dan’s gym, with the help of all the traveling he does and mentoring he receives, has been taking great strides… Dan just moved his gym into a space 4 times its original size and now has 500% more students than what he started with… all while still competing.

    My Congrats on IBJJF Pan-Am Success

    The reason for this post, though, is simply to say congrats on his recent tournament success.  Dan just won the Pan-American games…at Brown Belt!  He dominated his division without getting a point scored on him and won with all submissions.  It was an awesome display of his unique Jiu Jitsu game that he uses well against larger grapplers and jiu jitsu opponents of his own size as well.

    So congrats to my friend and newly crowned Pan-Am brown belt champion, Dan Faggella of Black Diamond BJJ in Rhode Island!!!

    I know I’ll see him down here again soon, soaking up some more techniques!

    Posted in BJJ in Rhode Island, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes and Info, My Students Successes | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    Kids Martial Arts Belt Ceremony in RI!

    Posted on February 6, 2012 by
    Coach Dan Faggella - Kids Martial Arts in RI

    Coach Dan Faggella runs Black Diamond MMA in Wakefield, RI, but has also taught seminars all over the USA - including here at Ivey League MMA!

    Finally Black Diamond Martial Arts is having a kids martial arts belt ceremony up there in their Rhode Island gym. Dan, the owner of Black Diamond MMA is actually a Jiu Jitsu protege of mine – and someone who’s learned martial arts teaching techniques from me as well.  But once he did, as he does with anything else he takes seriously, he put forth a ton of effort and turned it into one of the biggest parts of his gym.

    The Kids Martial Arts Belt Ceremony Itself

    This Friday is the culmination of much hard work to start and sustain a program that aims not only to teach young students the martial arts, but to teach them many life skills as well.  Black Diamond is implementing an awesome “leadership program” into their kids martial arts program that they intend to use to literally transform the lives of their students… so much for just teaching them “karate”! I’m a big proponent of life skills, too!

    Here’s a little clip of coach Dan Faggella teaching a martial arts presentation at my academy down here in Maryland. This is the kind of confident and knowledgeable person you’d want teaching a team of kids martial artists:

    The Move Forward!

    Constantly investing in themselves, I see Black Diamond having the best Kids martial arts program in RI by the end of this new year (2012)…if not sooner.  Dan let me know that they will be focusing on many non-martial art activities that will be more related to general life skills like leadership, public speaking, and self-motivation.  However, he assures me that, although these things will be learned in non-martial art specific ways, the level of the kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction will not by any means be neglected.  In fact, they are quite sure all the extra activities are going to translate extremely well into the kids getting the most out of their martial arts experience.

    My Closing Words

    Running a gym with well over 100 students in my kids martial arts program, I have seen the difference a really solid kids martial arts program can make for children of all ages.  I am very excited for Black Diamond and their first belt ceremony and for their dedication to growing their kids martial arts program and turning into something invaluable for young martial artists… It’s about time though!

    :)

    Posted in Rhode Island Martial Arts, RI Kids Karate | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment