Central Branch
3875 Eldamain Rd.
Plano, IL 60545
Phone: 630-552-4100
Fax: 630-552-9623
West Branch
707 S. Main St.
Sandwich, IL 60548
Phone: 815-786-9998
Fax: 815-786-2315
East Branch
Coming Soon!
Yorkville, IL 60560
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Copyright © 2004 Fox Valley Family YMCA
Last modified:
July 28, 2008
Meet our instructors...
Jack Walleck
Jack Walleck, lead Karate instructor for our preschool, youth & adult classes at the Central Branch in Plano, has been involved with Karate since his paratrooper training days back in 1958. He has been a member of our YMCA association since the Plano Central Branch opened in 1991. Jack, who also has experience in Aikido and Jujitsu, holds many awards and accreditations including a 5th degree Black Belt, a self defense accreditation, placement in the top 10 in the Midwest Circuit Senior Division for two consecutive years, and an Official Referee Outstanding Award.
Jack sites the great exercise and mental discipline as benefits of joining karate. This family man (he has five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters!) states that his favorite part about working at the YMCA is the ability to work with and influence children.
Bob Furr
Bob Furr, a 29 year member of our YMCA association and a 23 year karate instructor, credits discipline, stamina, physical control of your body & mind, and learning your limits and how to extend them as benefits one can gain from taking Karate.
This 3rd degree Black Belt, who has also won about a dozen trophies for various competitions, is also a family man with five grandchildren and loves working for the YMCA because of all of the people he gets to meet. Bob teaches our beginner and advanced youth and adult classes.
Bryan Jaffke
Bryan Jaffke, a resident of Yorkville, has been involved in Karate for 26 years and our YMCA for the past 6 years. He helps instruct all age and ability level of YMCA Karate classes for both youth and adults. Bryan got his start in Karate at an academy in Aurora, which eventually led him to over 30 career wins in point tournaments and a 2nd place ranking in the state competition for full contact kickboxing.
Bryan has also participated in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Judo, and has been involved in weight lifting at the YMCA.
Dan Ecklund
Dan Ecklund, a resident of Oswego, is one of our newest Karate volunteer instructors. He has been involved with Karate for 10 years and started right here with our Fox Valley Family YMCA classes! Dan is a 2nd degree Brown Belt, has several trophies from various competitions, and has also tried Tae Kwon Do.
Isshin Shorinji Ryu is an eclectic Okinawan art form created as a personal development system. Students develop physically,
mentally, and spiritually. Students gain mastery of blocking, punching, kicking, throwing, trapping, and the use of the traditional Okinawan weapons, the Bo and the Sai. Students improve the mind-body connection and gain greater respect, confidence, and respect for others. Students can progress through the ranks in this class under the direction of lead instructor and 5th degree black belt, Jack Walleck.
On the last day of class, students may bring a friend for free!
Also, girls may either register for the “Girls Only” class on Saturdays OR any other age-appropriate Karate class.
For class days/times, view our brochure pages.
For adult Aikido information, view our West Branch brochure pages.
Keep in mind, if programs have a low enrollment, they may be canceled approximately one week before the first meeting date, so please sign up early to avoid cancellations!!