Happy 10th Anniversary GriffonRawl!

Ten years ago this October Jason Dent opened the doors of 6090 Pinecone Drive and declared it the new home of the GriffonRawl Academy.  Just two years earlier when Jason took over the operation of GriffonRawl from Dan Rawlings and started its transformation, it was sharing space with a Karate School to make ends meet.  Jason grew GriffonRawl, along the way learning the lessons needed to create an independent school, and executed his plan.  Ten years on, growth in size, in services, in hard won experience, and most importantly, in members and friendships have built the academy we know today.  

 A great gym is more than equipment, mats, solid walls and a roof.   The key is the solid relationships forged inside.  Starting with the first members, who brought in family and friends, who became friends of the Academy, and later friends with those who joined afterwards at the urging of their friends.  Today there are literally hundreds of people connected through their past or ongoing association with GriffonRawl.  Even members who have dropped away, are influenced by their time with the Academy, and so they're still part of the GriffonRawl family.

One of the highlights is the development of the GriffonRawl Fight Teams, which are among the most accomplished in the state.  Few schools this size can claim of two UFC fighters, a TUF finalist, 4 national amateur champions and more regional champions than we have room for on the Wall of Champions.  And not just in MMA, GriffonRawl has an enviable record in Muay Thai as well, largely thanks to the efforts of Kru Aaron "Juice" Veverka.  This Saturday two of GriffonRawl's amateur fighters will make their debut on the NAAFS Combat Challenge card in Akron.  Take a moment to wish good luck to Jeff Offak & Ahmad Douglas when you see them.

Recently Jason stepped up the pace adding even more seminars and events to the Academy calendar, and that's a trend that will continue.  The Dan Rawling seminar from last weekend was very successful, and is only most recent.  Relson Gracie, Jeff Monson, Kit Cope have all taught on the GriffonRawl mats.  This November marks the third annual IGC tournament, bigger and better this year with the addition of more invited competitors.  GriffonRawl is growing, and getting better, and will continue to grow and change in response to the needs of it's members, family and students.

*To celebrate the 10th anniversary month, and give something back to the members, Jason has decided to put all merchandise on sale, even the new colors and sizes just arrived for Fall.

Written by: Bob Donaghy