Inducted into the A.M.A.H.O.F.(Inc) for 2005
Lifetime Achievement – Martial Arts
Dr. Kevin D. Hufford was born on 29th September, 1955, in New York and has spent the last twenty-six years studying martial arts. He graduated from the State University of New York where he received his B.S. in Biochemistry, M.A. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Advanced Technology / Systems Science.
During his high School Years Dr. Hufford was active in sports as a mid-field player on the varsity lacrosse team and as a diver and a free-style swimmer on the varsity swim team. He was also a member of the National Honour Society, the Math Club and the Chemistry Club.
During his College Years Dr. Hufford was a member and the president of the Local Students Organisation as well as a member of the College Fencing Team. It was during his college years that he became interested in the Martial Arts.
Currently, Dr. Hufford holds the rank of Hachi-dan and title of Shodai Soke in Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai; Ku-dan, Director of Education and title of Regent in San-Ryu-Do; Hachi-dan in World Agni Kempo; Hachi-dan in Sei Ryoku Zen Yo Karate; Roku-dan in FMK-Shotokan Karate-Do; Sho-dan rank in Washin-Ryu Karate-Do; and, Sho-dan rank in Goshindo.
Dr Hufford, is the Founder of the Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai (The Way of the Japanese Sword Arts Empty Hand Association), the Director of Education for the International San-Ryu-Do Federation and a Senior Instructor in the Art of San-Ryu-Do under Grand Master Dr. Robert Braff, Soke, as well as a Chanbara and a Goshindo Instructor under Kyoshi Dana Abbott and a second generation Assistant Instructor in Shaolin Qigong under Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. Dr. Hufford is also an Advisor to the United States Taekwondo Alliance and Publications Committee Chairman for the World United Martial Arts Alliance both headed by Grand Master Joon Pyo Choi. Dr. Hufford serves the Executive Advisory Board for the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association headed by Dr. Joe L. Parrish and the Executive Advisory Board for the Academy of Martial Arts (Tai Chi / Kung Fu) headed by Sifu John Scott. Dr. Hufford received his ‘KYOSHI’ certification (Ateru San-Ryu-Do) from the Ateru Worldwide Association on 15th December, 2004, in recognition of his dedication and proficiency in the martial arts.
In 2003 Dr. Hufford co-authored ‘Cutting Through the Mystery – Japanese Military Iai-Batto-Do’ (isbn: 0-9747014-0-8) with Kyoshi Dana Abbott. In 2004 they co-authored ‘Kodachi-Iai – The way of the Japanese Short Sword – Iaido-Kenjutsu-Tameshigiri – Rank and Training Manual’ (isbn: 0-9747014-1-6) and ‘Tachi-Iai – The way of the Japanese Long Sword – Iaido-Kenjutsu-Tameshigiri – Rank and Training Manual’ (isbn: 0-9747014-1-4). In 2004 Dr. Hufford co-authored ‘SanRyuDo – The Art of the Wakizashi’ Volume 1 (isbn: 0-9763908-0-9) and ‘SanRyuDo – Regulation Handbook Volume 1’ (isbn: 0-9763908-1-7) with Dr. Robert Braff.
It was in 2001 when Dr. Hufford was an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Ithaca College that he and two students, Josh Birkins and Bill Winston, decided to create SToIC – the Sword Team of Ithaca College. This was classified as a recreational martial arts club on the Ithaca College campus. It is at SToIC that Dr. Hufford teaches the art of the sword, combative sports weapons and assists in the development and production of choreographed sword fighting skits and production with the college students. Several of these skits have been presented prior to the Comedy Club and other campus events.
In June of 2004 Dr. Hufford was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the Year, in July of 2004 he was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Association International Hall of Fame as Senior Master of the Year, in October of 2004 he was inducted into the International Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame as National Master of the Year and in December of 2004 he was inducted into the Cosmopolitan Florida Martial Arts Brotherhood Hall of Fame as Martial Arts Writer of the Year. In January of 2005 Dr. Hufford was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Outstanding Achievements in the Martial Arts and in March of 2005 he was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame for the Most Superior Organisation – Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai.
In 1998 he opened Dragon Fire Martial Arts (www.goshindo.us) in Trumansburg, NY, which is the Hombu Dojo for the Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai. He currently teaches Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do, Goshindo – Iaido-Kenjutsu-Tameshigiri, San-Ryu-Do Iaido and Shaolin White Crane Gongfu, Qin Na, and Qigong with his wife Lorraine and two children, Kyle and Kiera. Dr. Hufford assists the community by working with the Red Cross (a truly international humanitarian organisation) organising fund raisers such as demonstrations at the local mall and kick-a-thons.