OUR HISTORY
& Grandmaster Vince Vergara
Conveniently located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the West Shore Academy of Martial Arts (WSAMA) first opened its doors to the public in 1982 under the instruction of Kwan Jung Nims Brian Butt and George Knoll. Their school’s legacy passed on to their students Vince Vergara and Tom Brunner, in 1992. Grandmaster Vergara is presently the Academy’s chief instructor.
Chief and Grandmaster Instructor Vince Vergara has been studying the martial arts for over 30 years and currently holds a 7th degree black belt in Jung Sim Do, 3rd Dan in WHF Hapkido and advanced rank in Modern Arnis.
Honors and credentials include: American Council of Martial Arts Certified Martial Arts Instructor, ACTION Personal Trainer Certified Personal Trainer, member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists and Martial Arts Teachers Association, Rock Steady Boxing certified coach, and “2003 Instructor of the Year” by the
Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
​
Vergara has been a multiple gold medalist at the Keystone State Games and has won championships at open sport karate tournaments including the Central PA Karate Championships, Battle of Harrisburg and Breath of Nature.
Vergara has also been featured in media outlets including the Harrisburg Patriot Newspaper and local news channels abc27, cbs21 and Fox43 for his martial arts and self- defense expertise.
Emeritus Master Instructor Tom Brunner is WSAMA’s Technical Advisor with over 30 years of martial arts experience. Brunner holds a 6th degree black belt in Jung Sim Do under Grandmaster Joe Fox. Brunner’s background includes boxing, kickboxing and personal fitness training as a strength and conditioning coach. His contribution to the students of WSAMA is reflected by the high-caliber of skilled martial artists our Academy has produced.
Grandmaster Vergara (left) and Master Brunner (right) with Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, center.