The CWRU TKD Club came to be on the campus of CWRU in the early 1980's. CWRU students, faculty and friends who were experienced martial artists came together to train, learn and grow through their common interest in the martial arts. Originally, the club was merely an on-campus special interest group that struggled with finding places adequate for training. Thwing Ballroom was an early training site for the club, which moved to Wade Commons in the late 80's until 1998 when the club moved to its present spectacular training area in Veale Center.
Various club hardships over the years gave way to times of prosperity. Yet the club of friends persevered and adopted the unofficial moniker "The Phoenix". The Phoenix became many things to the many new members that joined over the years. New members found that the fellowship and philosophies encountered in training carried into their everyday lives. Thus, the Phoenix positively impacted academic and professional careers by providing a means to cope with daily encountered stress. With time the club evolved to became more than a special interest club and beyond a mere sports club.
Today, the Phoenix meets and trains in excellent training facilities found in the new multi-million dollar Veale Athletic Center on campus. A diverse staff of Black Belts ranging from fledgling First Degrees to Master Candidates from various schools around the United States brings an unusually broad range of perspective and depth to our training. Most importantly, the club has a strong membership comprised of CWRU students, faculty and the occasional visiting Alum. The club has been, and continues to be, a source of life-long friendships, a few marriages and more than a few job leads.
The Phoenix is a well-respected member of the Northeast Ohio Martial Arts Community. Contacts within the Chinese and Korean Martial Arts communities volunteer, on a reciprocating basis, to present special seminars which give our membership insight and understanding to other oriental arts, medicine and philosophies. The Phoenix's contacts extend beyond Northeast Ohio to the US Olympic Training Center and the North American Korean and Chinese Martial Arts Communities and their various tournaments.