Sentry Jiu-Jitsu

04/15/2026

Our Youth Jiu-Jitsu Program is back! If you would like to join us, please message us or send an email to [email protected].

Hope to see you there!

11/11/2025

09/26/2025

A little no gi testing. Endurance rolls, spontaneous drilling, and pressure! Good night on the mats!!

05/04/2024

On Thursday night, my son Jacob earned his black belt. 20 years, countless hours, lots of pain, immense joy, and precious memories. Few persist when the doubt creeps in or life throws up its roadblocks. Knowing him, I knew this day would come. It came in his own time, on his terms, with his style, and through his persistence.
As his Father, I could care less about what the belt means, but I care what it represents.
I remember the lessons, the tears, the struggle, and the doubt. I also remember when the struggles were laid aside and their cost added to his own understanding. I remember seeing him take beatings and slide back into combat base, brow soaking wet, blood from his mouth, facing a much larger and skilled opponent, extending his hand for a tap, ready for the struggle to continue and seeing his soul never crumble. I have seen hundreds, maybe even thousands crumble in that same spot. A passage on the academy wall reads partially, "I will persist, until I succeed!" He embodies that motto, no doubt! I am beyond proud to have witnessed it all!
Those of us who know and love Jacob, know it represents a drive, passion, and determination not seen in many today. He will not wear his belt to represent his ego, he will wear it to represent his history and purpose. He is still growing, still learning, and still working. The belt represents nothing unless the person wearing it represents something of worth when the belt is off. The belt does not make us, we make the belt. He has made a story worth recounting.
In the Scriptures Ya'aqov wrestles with an angel of the Most High. One reason he wrestles is because he feels he may never earn the blessing he so desires. Will we continue despite the cost and ultimately will it refine us into something more? Jacob has learned a portion of that lesson and perhaps to the most difficult part. Confront the doubt! I pray it bleeds into all areas of his life. He was named Ya'aqov, Jacob, purposefully. I just never imagined it would be that meaningful.
He is my son, my friend, my pride, my joy, and part of my purpose. He makes the meaning of my journey more complete.
I am proud of you my son! Be kind to those you come across, but yield to no man. This is one chapter in your life's story and I am excited to see what you choose to conquer next, live it well!

04/21/2024

I spent the afternoon watching some of our team compete yesterday and walked away proud and impressed. We train zero hours for competition. We train every day for life. A small number went in and stood their ground. Each of these guys put it all out there and walked away better for it. Even little man Cort got after it. Some train for medals, we train for character.
Highlights of the day:
* Kevin faced a mental Goliath and inspired others in the process. HE never quit and faced a very seasoned competitor. We are all proud of how far he has come.
* Big Mike displayed grit and technique. He listened to Jake's coaching and backed off a fully set submission to save his opponent's elbow and shoulder. Still won with dignity, his family was watching!
* Big John racked up points and went full bore. For a man his size, he is gifted. Smiled huge after each match and enjoyed the moment.
* Chris went hard against some giants, pushed the pace, and never quit. He kept his composure and pulled off a submission in one of his matches. Never slowed and didn't give an unearned inch.
* Christian's no gi division was stacked. He was ahead most of his second match, got stuck in a triangle defense and had his elbow wrenched, popped, and hyper extended by someone who only cared about winning. He never tapped and still won on points. Stole that guy's moment and became legendary (although I was screaming for him to tap and save his elbow). He said he wouldn't quit, his family was watching. I still have heartburn...Kids!
* Jake was stellar as the coach. Excellent coaching, motivation, and boy was he into it. Called Mike off a surefire submission win to save an opponent from catastrophic injury. Mike listened and still won in convincing style. It's never just about us!!
* Scott and Brandon were there to support their team and sweat brothers. They were smiling ear to ear, watching them compete. They gave their time for their other brothers.
* Everyone mentioned their family and friends to me in their wins. Priorities!!
* Each looked proudly at their medals, took a victory pic, and put it away.  Others walked around ALL DAY with those metal things clanging. Victory is in the soul!

03/25/2023

So, it's taken a few weeks to process the experience I had teaching at the International Martial Arts Expo in Lake George. Jake and I got to share the concept of realistic self-defense to students of various styles. The beauty of Jiu-Jitsu and it's use in self-preservation is often lost in sport and ego. To say that everyone was open and enthusiastic is an understatement. Many have reached out to share their appreciation for learning an aspect of training they have never personally experienced.

NO art or system has all the answers and to be able to experience that at this event is a credit to the host Joe Pazzaglia. It was a weekend of old friendships, new friendships, new concepts and brotherhood. To share the time with a legend such as Benny "the Jet" Urquidez was an honor. At 70, he put many through their paces.

I look forward to next year and attending different events through the year.

Our motto is Stand and Defend...a core value in all aspects of life. Our name and motto are purposeful, I encourage everyone to drop the ego and be purposeful in their learning.

03/24/2023

There are days when you wonder where the time went. But on those days if you get to reflect on things, especially people, who made that time more valuable, it brings nothing but joy to your heart. Brodie is an example of strong, persistent, and highly ethical young man. He has persisted where others have crumbled. He has refined himself on the mats and in life. By all accounts, he is a stellar young man. To honor his hard work, he fully earned and was awarded his blue belt on his 16th birthday! To know this man is to admire and love him. He is my student, I am his teacher, but he is family! Much love Brodie, congratulations, and we look forward to many more years on the mat.

09/09/2022

Wow! What a great night, four new purple belts and a brown belt. Congrats to all of you! It is a pleasure and a blessing to share mat time and life with you. You have all added so much to the academy and I am honored you have given so much of your time and energy to Sentry. The extended family grows and you are all in unique territory now. Here is to many more years my brothers! Much respect!

08/10/2022

FREE Law Enforcement seminars coming up. Open to all departments and academies.