karate-ka, as time permitted but, for the most part, had discontinued his formal training in the martial arts. Although Mr. McGowan was no longer involved in formal martial arts training, he never stopped feeling the need to be involved in Karate.

Mr. McGowan moved to Muncie in September 1988. He continued to search for a Karate school and even participated in a couple of schools, but none ever seemed to fulfill his needs.

Sometime in 1990, Mr. McGowan competed in a local tournament just to see what he would remember and what he had forgotten, During the tournament, he had seen Mr. Vecchiolli. Not knowing him, he did not approach him. While working at a local retail store he saw Mr. Vecchiolli come in and started talking to him about karate. Developing somewhat of a friendship, he told him that if he ever opened up a school, he would like to be a part of it. In August, 1992, Mr. Vecchiolli told him that he would be opening a school the following month.

After he had started training again, it felt as if a void had finally been filled. Things were going extremely well and he was adjusting to his new style of karate.

On January 23, 1993 Mr. McGowan was promoted to 4th kyu purple belt.

On November 6, 1993 Mr. McGowan promoted to the rank of 3rd kyu brown belt.

On April 2, 1994, Mr. Vecchiolli promoted Mr. McGowan to the rank of 2nd kyu brown belt.

On March 21, 1995 Mr. McGowan was promoted to the rank of 1st kyu brown belt.

On September 3,1995 Mr. McGowan was promoted to the rank of Sho Dan along with Mr. Darrin McGowan, Mr. Marty Gibson and Mr. Earl Parsons.

On December 17, 1996 Mr. McGowan was promoted to Ni Dan. He is currently an Instructor at Lee ’s Karate and Bushido. Also in 1996 Mr. McGowan was ranked 3rd in the nation by the USKK.

In 1997, Mr. McGowan competed in the World Karate Tournament in Okinawa, Japan.

On April 2, 1998, Mr. McGowan was promoted to San Dan.

On July 26, 2001, Mr. McGowan was promoted to Yon Dan.

On Janurary 2006, Mr. McGowan was promoted to Go Dan.