McVicker Martial Arts

I trained with Coach Jack in Champaign for 2 years, as a white belt, and recently moved to NYC. The BJJ training I got at McVicker’s prepared me very well for training at Marcelo Garcia’s academy in NYC. I feel like I got world-​class training in BJJ and JKD from Jack and his team of instructors, and made some great friends at the academy while I was there. I miss them! I recommend McVicker’s academy without hesitation.

I’ve been taking classes at Jack’s Champaign facility for about eight months, having had a little experience in Kali, Tae Kwon Do, and JKD beforehand. My experience has been extremely positive, and it’s hard for me to imagine not enjoying this class.
Entry-​level classes meet twice a week for an hour and a half. We begin with a short warmup, typically practicing fundamentals like punch combinations or falls. The first half of class covers a combination of JKD, Muay Thai kickboxing, Kali, and boxing. The second half is BJJ. When you start, one of the coaches will work with you on the basics while Coach Jack leads the rest of the class. Everyone is polite and gentle with newcomers, and will tailor their instructions to your skill level.
We work on a new set of skills each month, with testing at the end of the month. I’ve never seen anyone fail a test — it’s very low key. Jack is *extremely* positive, encouraging, and patient. That goes for his coaches, too.
It’s pricy compared to other places I’ve been, but there’s no comparison in the value: I’ve leaned more about Kali in eight months there than I did in 40 months elsewhere.

Coach Jack is awesome. I’ve been training with him since summer of 2013 and it is one of the greatest decisions I’ve made. His style of teaching connects with all types of students. He is quick to learn and remember your name and cares very much about your attendance and work ethic. He gives the extra push and boost of confidence that everyone needs. His assistant coaches are also phenomenal teachers that bond with the students. Coach McVicker’s classes aren’t only classes, if you stay long enough, the art becomes a way of life.

Within 1 minute of meeting Jack McVicker, I knew I would be training with him for a long time. 5 years later and I still have the same feeling. He brings a strong pedigree of experience, knowledge and awards to recommend him, but it is his positive, caring and earnest attitude that makes the school what it is. It’s infectious and helps define the ‘team’ feeling that you get working with other students under McVicker. He is 100% class, start to finish.
I’ve trained in a few different styles of martial arts and a number of dojos/​schools. McVicker’s is hands down the best martial arts academy I’ve ever been to. It provides a well-​rounded education in stand up fighting and ground fighting, touching on many levels of technique and providing links to join all the styles and /​techniques that you learn. Most things are provided in two versions — what you do in tournament/​practice and what you would do in the street.
The classes run on Tuesday evening and Saturday day. They are split into two 45min sessions that cover almost everything you could want to learn from a martial arts program. The first half is a blend of Kali and Jeet Kun Do (Bruce Lee’s theory /​methodology, rather than a style). It is primarily stand-​up fighting with hand striking, kicks, and using pretty much any other part of your body that could feasibly be used to attack/​defend. You also learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is arguably more a war of intellect than fists, but most often fought on the ground using grappling, chokes and other submissions to control your opponent.
The school in Champaign has a fairly wide range of ages, but it not really designed for younger kids. I believe the youngest currently is 15 (don’t quote me) and runs up to the 60’s… I’m 42. McVicker has his parent school in Terra Haute, where he offers a kids program on the days when he is not in Champaign. At both locations, there are people of all experience and backgrounds and you will find later that –absolutely nobody– cares if you look foolish and uncoordinated at first… because everybody did.
As a last note, there are some truly accomplished students in the academy, many of whom travel year round to compete at BJJ tournaments or MMA fights around the country.

Best self-​defense/​jiu jitsu/​fitness-​martial arts school in Champaign and possibly in all of Illinois. I trained under Jack for almost three years and it was well worth the money.

Jack McVicker is an excellent instructor and coach. His laid back style coupled with mastery of Jeet Kune Do concepts and Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu make for a great experience. I highly recommend this Academy for anyone interested in MMA, self-​defense, or competition Jiu-​Jitsu.

There are few world-​class jiu-​jitsu competitors in the Midwest, and even fewer who are also highly skilled educators. Jack is both.