When I think about the people and places that shaped me as a martial artist, Sensei Patrick Burris and USA Stars stand out as cornerstones in my journey. From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, I had the incredible opportunity to train under Sensei Burris, and those years left an indelible mark on me—not just as a martial artist, but as a teacher and leader.
But my judo journey actually started back in Texas under my first judo coach, Sensei Jim Brown. He introduced me to the art and gave me my first taste of what it means to train in such a physically and mentally demanding discipline. His dedication to the sport wasn’t limited to his students—his own daughter became an Olympic alternate in 1996, a testament to the caliber of his coaching.
When I moved to Oklahoma, I had to leave my training with Sensei Jim Brown behind. It wasn’t an immediate transition to find another coach. In fact, it took me three or four years before I connected with Sensei Patrick Burris in the late 1990s. But once I found Sensei Burris and USA Stars, I knew I had found the right place to continue my journey.
(Expect more about Sensei Jim Brown in a future installment of the Know Your Roots series.)
Who Is Sensei Patrick Burris?
To understand the impact of USA Stars, you first have to understand Sensei Patrick Burris himself—a man whose life and career are woven into the very fabric of American martial arts.
Sensei Burris was a two-time Olympian, representing the United States in judo at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He was also a five-time U.S. National Judo Champion, achieving an unprecedented streak of four consecutive national titles in the lightweight division.
In addition to his Olympic and national achievements, he earned a bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games in the lightweight division. Beyond competition, his contributions to martial arts extended to coaching and leadership roles. He served as Director of Coach Certification and Education for USA Judo and was honored with his 9th-degree black belt (kudan) in 2021.
In 2008, Sensei Burris was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He also coached numerous Olympians, world champions, and national champions throughout his career, leaving an undeniable mark on the martial arts world.
Sensei Burris wasn’t just a coach—he was a pioneer. His ability to blend wrestling and judo into a cohesive system set him apart as one of the most forward-thinking coaches of his era.
A Welcoming Mentor
The first time I met Sensei Patrick Burris, he welcomed me with open arms. He was incredibly kind and generous, inviting me not only to train in his classes but also encouraging me to bring my own students along. At the time, I was in the early stages of starting my own martial arts school, and his support and mentorship gave me confidence as I took those first steps as an instructor.
Sensei Burris was generous with his knowledge and had an open-door policy for anyone eager to learn and willing to put in the work. He didn’t care about your background, your experience level, or where you came from—if you were ready to train, he was ready to teach. That openness is something I’ve tried to carry forward in my own teaching.
USA Stars: A Martial Arts Mecca
During the time I trained there, USA Stars was the mecca of martial arts in the Oklahoma City metro area, and honestly, probably the entire state of Oklahoma. It wasn’t just a gym—it was a hub of excellence, a melting pot of talent, and a place where champions were forged.
The atmosphere was electric—you could feel the energy the moment you walked through the doors. It was a place where students, coaches, and champions from different disciplines came together to train, share knowledge, and push each other to be better.
So many of the athletes who trained at USA Stars went on to become champions in their own right or to open successful martial arts academies. The legacy of that place isn’t just in the medals and trophies—it’s in the people it shaped and sent out into the world.
An Innovator in Cross-Discipline Training
One of the things that set Sensei Patrick Burris apart was his ability to blend wrestling and judo into a seamless and complete curriculum. He wasn’t just a judo coach or a wrestling coach—he was a master at integrating the two arts into something greater than the sum of their parts.
This approach gave us a unique edge on the mat. We weren’t just learning to throw, pin, or submit; we were learning how to chain techniques across disciplines, adapting to any scenario with confidence.
The Early Days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
This era was also special because Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was just starting to hit the scene in the United States. At USA Stars, we were fortunate to have a few coaches who specialized in BJJ. It was here that I began my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey under my first BJJ coach, Tony Equigua.
Under Tony Equigua’s guidance, I took my first steps into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, laying the foundation for what would become a significant part of my martial arts journey.
(Expect more about Tony Equigua in a future installment of the Know Your Roots series.)
A Lasting Impact
Looking back, I owe a lot to Sensei Patrick Burris and the time I spent at USA Stars. The lessons I learned on those mats weren’t just about martial arts—they were about dedication, humility, and perseverance.
Today, as an instructor myself, I try to create an atmosphere in my academy that reflects what I felt at USA Stars—a place where knowledge is shared freely, where every student feels welcome, and where everyone is encouraged to become the best version of themselves.
Final Thoughts
The legacy of USA Stars lives on in every student, every coach, and every academy that was shaped by its influence. And for me, it’s a legacy I’ll always be proud to be part of.
While Sensei Patrick Burris played a massive role in my judo and martial arts journey, it all began with Sensei Jim Brown, and later expanded with Tony Equigua—but those stories…well, they’re for another time.
Click Here to see Our Roots Part One