CHRONOLOGY OF KARATE STL

October 7, 1995 - Six months after returning home to St. Louis (after living 11 years in Dallas, Texas) Sharon and Gordon Basinger, Senseis held a Men and Women's Self-defense class at Westport Athletic Club located in Midwest St. Louis County, Maryland Heights, Missouri, to determine if there was sufficient local interest to warrant opening a dojo.  Only 5 people enrolled; however, the Basingers were not deterred. 

October 11, 1995 - Authorized and sanctioned by Head Master Seikichi Iha, the Basingers opened their Shidokan dojo at Westport Athletic Club.  In the first 12-week session, 23 students enrolled (15 adults in Wednesday/Saturday classes, and 8 kids age 7-11 in the Saturday class).     
   
September 17, 1996 - Pattonville School District designated Sharon Basinger as its karate instructor.  14 students (10 children age 7-11, and 4 adults) enrolled in the first Tuesday/Thursday 6-week session at Pattonville Heights Middle School, Maryland Heights, Missouri.

October 29, 1996 - First 3-hour Women's Self-defense class at Pattonville Learning Center, St. Ann, Missouri.  7 women enrolled.

September 17, 1998 - Age 4-6 karate began at Pattonville Hts.  31 enrolled.

August 25, 2000 - Final karate class at Westport Athletic Club.  Shortly thereafter, WAC closed permanently.

October 22, 2000 - Karate STL was elevated from Fuku Shibu (sub-branch) to Shibu (branch) dojo status, by Head Master Seikichi Iha during his visit to St. Louis.  Shibu dojos are under the direct supervision, tutelage and guidance of Iha Sensei.

October 1, 2001 - The City of Maryland Heights contacted Sharon Basinger requesting an interview which resulted in her becoming their karate teacher at Maryland Heights Centre. 

January 16, 2002 - Age 4-6 karate began at Maryland Hts.  10 enrolled.

August 12, 2002 - Adult karate began at Maryland Hts.

December 27, 2002 - Karate STL's Gordon Basinger at age 62, died of complications from cancer.

January, 2003 - After taking some time off after her husband's death, Sensei Basinger resumed her position as Karate STL Chief Instructor, and continues to hold karate class four to five days per week, as well as periodic self-defense classes, for Pattonville and Maryland Hts.

January 29, 2005 - Upon the recommendation of Jennifer Barnes (later Van Dyke), who had recently attended a Pattonville Women's Self-defense class, the first such class was held at Maryland Hts.  Both were led by Sensei Basinger.

November, 2005 - Even though Sensei Basinger continued with teaching, supervision and rank testing, as Stephanie Faulkingham advanced in rank and became more experienced, Sensei Basinger offered her progressively more teaching opportunities over the years at Maryland Heights Centre location in order to further her training.

September 22, 2007 - First 3-hour, age 8-14, Youth Self-defense class at Maryland Hts.  13 enrolled.

September 19, 2009 - First age 4-7, 'Don't Talk To That Stranger' class at Maryland Hts.  10 enrolled.

January 26, 2010 - After-school youth self-defense seminars (separately for groups of kindergarten through 2nd grade, and grades 3 through 5) -- first was held at Pattonville's Willow Brook School in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

August 1, 2010 - First annual family picnic at Vago Park in Maryland Hts.  About 60 attended.
  
November 12 &13, 2010 - The 15th anniversary of Sensei Basinger teaching in St. Louis was celebrated at Pattonville Heights Middle School gym in Maryland Hts.  There was an elaborate student demonstration consisting of 50+ students from both locations, and 100+ spectators.  Grand Master Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan, as well as some out-of-town guests, were in attendance.  More about the anniversary celebration.

June 13, 2011 - First afternoon week-long, 1-1/2 hours per day, youth self-defense seminar for K- 5th grade at Pattonville's Drummond School in St. Ann, Missouri.  7 enrolled.

September 10, 2011 - Karate STL's first St. Louis area branch dojo The Arch Shidokan Karate was opened in St. Peters, Missouri.  Classes are held within Club Fitness.  Instructor is Karate STL student, Ameer Syed, Sensei.  He began his training with Sensei Basingeri in June of 2003, and over the years taught and assisted in progressively more karate classes.  He eventually advanced in rank and experience in preparation to become instructor at his own branch dojo.

October, 2013 - The Arch Shidokan Karate, Ameer Syed, Sensei, was elevated from probationary to certified Fuku Shibu dojo by Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan.  Fuku Shibu dojos are under the direct supervision of their Shibu dojo director (Sensei Basinger).  Ameer was presented with his dojo's certificate at the next National Training Seminar in Lansing, Michigan.

January 13, 2014 - Karate STL's (former) second St. Louis area branch dojo, Gateway Shidokan Karate reopened at Maryland Heights Centre in Maryland Heights, Missouri.  This originally was Karate STL's second training location -- 13 years total.  Instructor is Stephanie Faulkingham, who began her training as a white belt at Karate STL with Sensei Basinger in November of 2003.  In November 2005, Sensei Basinger very gradually began allowing her (rank was a Brown Tip, 3rd Kyu) some controlled and monitored teaching opportunities at Maryland Heights Center.  Sensei Basinger, continued to teach, support, and prepare her over the years.  Then as Stephanie progressed in rank and experience, Sensei Basinger ultimately gave her that location.

January 20, 2014 - Karate STL entered the world of social networking.  Our dojo page can be accessed here:
Facebook

April, 2015 - Gateway Shidokan Karate, Stephanie Faulkingham, Instructor, at Sensei Basinger's recommendation, was elevated from probationary (see Jan 13, 2014 & Nov 2005 above) to Fuku Shibu dojo by Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan.  Fuku Shibu dojos are under the direct supervision of their Sensei/Shibu dojo director (Sensei Basinger at the time).

May, 2020 - Sharon Basinger Sensei, now teaches at her home dojo in Maryland Heights, MO.  However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching schedules, classes and procedures had to be modified to keep her students safe from Covid-19.  She retired from Pattonville School District but NOT from teaching karate and self-defense.  Basinger began teaching in the St. Louis area in 1995.


June 22, 2020 - Endorsed, encouraged and fully supported by Shibu Dojo Karate STL's Chief Instructor, Sharon Basinger Sensei:  Gateway Shidokan Karate (Stephanie Faulkingham, Instructor) Fuku Shibu dojo, has been transfered to an out-of-state dojo (as their Fuku Shibu dojo), rather than continuing under the direction of Karate STL.  Sensei Basinger sincerely wishes the very best for Gateway in the future.

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