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USAMAF Biography Information

H. William (Bill) Cooley, Ph.D.
Member, Board of Directors
United States (USA) Martial Arts Federation

Sensei Cooley began his martial arts training in the early 1960s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His early instructors were all second-generation black belts who had learned martial arts in Japan shortly after the end of World War II. 

Sensei Cooley's career has included, Senior Manager positions for the Federal government (The Department of Veterans Affairs and the General Services Administration), political staff work and consulting, statistical research and analysis for state governments, teaching (at both the high school and university level), coaching secondary sports as well as Judo all ages and genders, and working in the corporate world (IBM, Texaco, and Montgomery Ward) 

This varied career has necessitated much relocation. At one point, Cooley returned to school and completed his doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin. Wherever he lived, he never ceased to learn, practice and teach martial arts.

Cooley benefited from the experience of American, Japanese, Korean and German instructors in dojos in more than a dozen cities around the country. During the 60s, 70s and 80s, Sensei Cooley continued his martial arts study; he took part in Judo tournaments as a heavyweight. He ended his competitive career with a heavyweight Judo championship at the Southeastern U.S. Open in 1983. He began his study of Ju-Jitsu as well, as he found the two arts had many common elements. His competitive life spanned nearly 30 years.

When he moved to the Washington, D.C. area in the early 80s, Sensei Cooley was fortunate to be introduced to outstanding instructors in Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Ninjutsu and Taiho Jutsu. Studying in a dojo which permitted cross discipline practice, greatly enhanced his background and technical knowledge. 

Sensei Cooley began his own dojo in Washington, D.C. at the Department of the Interior in 1983. Until his retirement from the Federal government in 2000, he taught and hosted seminars and encouraged his students to advance in Judo, Taiho Jutsu and Ju-Jitsu. His school, Black Dragon Bubo, continues with two of his former students continuing the tradition he began. The school has an active and busy schedule of classes, which include Judo, practical self-defense and Ju-Jitsu.

In 1999, Sensei Cooley was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers and Legends Hall of Fame.

Currently, Sensei Cooley lives in Iowa, where he studies Go Ju Ryu Karate and serves as a political consultant in Wisconsin. He remains active in the organization and operation of the martial arts associations with which he is affiliated. In addition, he is contacting dojos in the Midwest as he travels and does seminars and promotes the USMAF, USJJF, and ITJF.

Certifications

Ranks

Sensei Cooley may be contacted at the following:

H. William Cooley
2395 17th Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302

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