Taekwondo tradition continues in Lincoln
New Lincoln Taekwondo Dojan honors the late Scott Brown

 

[December 01, 2023] 

One of Lincoln’s favorites, Scott Brown, owned and operated the Lincoln Taekwondo Center from 1980 up until his passing in February 2021.  A couple of his students ran it for a while before it closed for good.

Fast forward to 2023, and enter Bryan Clark, local State Farm representative and former police officer, who one day was pondering what more he could bring to the community for children and families. Bryan had pondered the idea of a Dojan in Lincoln but was not exactly sure how to go about it. He knew of Scott Brown through police work, and of his legacy, and wanted to be sure to honor that. A friend of his recommended Darrin Watkins, who was one of Brown’s students for many years and also one of the students who kept the Dojan open after Brown passed.

Clark connected with Watkins and after the first meeting they both knew this was meant to be. They shared their stories of faith and God and second chances.

Clark, a former police officer, gave second chances, and Watkins, thanks to Brown, was given that second chance. Watkins spoke about the time when he got in some trouble, way back in his teens, and he was in county jail. He had previously been a student to Brown, who as a county deputy, was Watkins’ transport to and from court for many months. The two had lengthy conversations that Watkins never forgot. Later when he had served his time Watkins ran into Brown and asked if he could come back to the Dojan. Brown said yes. Watkins attended from that day forward until Brown passed away.

Watkins was the last person to receive a black belt under Brown’s instruction.

With Clark as the owner and on the business end, and Watkins as the instructor, Lincoln Taekwondo was born in August 2023. The name was chosen in honor of Scott Brown with the blessing of his wife, Dawn, who was in attendance as an honorary judge one night when children athletes were moving up in rank.

The Lincoln Taekwondo is open three nights a week for class. Classes are open to ages five and up, all skill levels. In August, the Dojan averaged five to six people per class and now they are up to an average of 15-17 people per class. Class viewing is always welcome at any time.

Taekwondo is a form of martial arts combat that requires a person to use all parts of the body in training, competition, and self-defense. It is a sport that originated from the ancient Korean forms of martial arts.

What does Taekwondo mean?

Tae- jump, kick, smash with foot
Kwon- punch, destroy with the hand or foot
Do- the way, art, or method

Lincoln Taekwondo is located at 622 N. Chicago St, Lincoln and can be found on social media. Currently classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To register for a class, email lincoln
[e-mail],  or just walk into a class!

[Heather Gaule]