top of page
Gathering of Eagles
Photo of many of the most notable seniors of Kenpo Karate all in one room. Original Gathering of Eagles which was held in Las Vegas from Feb 5-7, 1999. Photo used by permission of GM Ted Sumner
Great Grandmaster Rob Castro, Mike Skinner Jr. and Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro (founder of Shaolin Kenpo) at the initial Gathering of Eagles in 1999.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Sijo Adriano Emperado (one of the main founders of Kajukenbo) and Mike Skinner Jr. at the initial Gathering of Eagles in 1999.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Professor Sig Kufferath (founder of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu) and Mike Skinner Jr. at the initial Gathering of Eagles in 1999.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Sifu James Ibrao (regarded by some as Ed Parker's first Black Belt) and Mike Skinner Jr. at the initial Gathering of Eagles in 1999.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
25 Years of Kenpo Brotherhood. Once in a lifetime a quarter-century on.
Photo from GOE25 Facebook page.
Collinsville, Indiana
July 28-30, 2024.
Grandmaster Ted Sumner of Tracy's Kenpo Karate rocking one of the shirts from the original event standing beside Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Grandmaster Todd Durgan of Phasic Kombatives Integrated and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles. Todd has been a treasured friend in the arts for over 30 years. In addition to GOE, GM Durgan hosts a yearly benefit for the Heartbeat for Wounded Warriors project.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Sr. Professor Milt Guinette of the Tracy's Kenpo Karate system and Mike Skinner Jr. Milt also possesses a 4th Degree Black Belt in Kosho Ryu Kenpo under Hanshi Bruce Juchnik. Gathering of Eagles, Collinsville Indiana, 2024.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
The incomparable "Kenpo Joe" Rebelo and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles in 2024. In addition to being an executive with Kempo International, Joe is literally a walking encyclopedia of the history of American Kenpo. He also possesses a Kenpo patch collection that many would be envious of.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
8th Degree Black Belt Dave Hopper of Tracy's Kenpo International and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles, Collinsville Indiana, 2024.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
8th Degree Professor Vance Murakami and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles, Collinsville Indiana, 2024.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
GM John P. Nieto, Soke Paul Cervizzi and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles, Collinsville Indiana, 2024.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr.'s archives
Group photo of the welcome dinner at the 25th Anniversary of the Gathering of Eagles held in Collinsville, Indiana in July 2024.
Gathering of Eagles - 2026
Each of the gentlemen in this photo have 60 years or more invested into the Martial Arts. From left to right are Peter Coyle, Ray Arquilla, Ted Sumner, John P. Nieto, James Stewart, and Chris Trujillo - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives.
The Gathering of Eagles, first imagined by Grandmaster Al Tracy, takes place every two years in the spirit of brotherhood in the arts. While overwhelmingly populated with students and instructors from the Tracy system, all branches of the tree are welcome. The initial event took place at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999.
The event this year was held in Collinsville, Illinois outside of St. Louis Missouri. This was the first year in which practitioners could be recognized for over 60 years in the arts. Each of those pictured below, I consider to be brothers and sisters in Kenpo, and it would be impossible to place them in order of rank or importance. Forgive me for not referring to them with official titles, as friendship is the strongest show of respect I feel I can give. Please enjoy the photos and hope to see you in 2028!
Billy Dalton out of Troy, Indiana, along with Jefferson Davis and Dave Hopper did a great deal to host both the event in 2024 and again in 2026. Gentlemen, I thank you for your well honed southern hospitality and look forward to the next event. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Vic Sauget of Colorado has become a treasured friend within Kenpo. His instructor is Chris Trujillo. Vic still competes in his seventh decade! - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Darrell Goen and his wife Alice have become good friends within the art. Darrell is also a high-ranking skeet shooter in addition to being quite masterful with the blade - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Stan Toscano provided us an introduction to Bartitsu (the art of the cane). Especially important as we all get older. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Ray Arquilla has been involved in the Martial Arts for over 60 years. Along with Bruce Juchnik, Rick Alemany and Eugene Sedeno, he received instruction from James Mitose before his passing. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Henry Childers has been teaching Kenpo for many, many years. He was elevated to 10th Degree at the event. I especially enjoy Henry's teaching style as it is very relaxed even as he shows you deadly techniques. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Alice Goen is quite possibly the sweetest lady that could kick your butt I've ever met. Group photo from her seminar. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Alice Goen brings the pain on an unassuming UKE. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
I look forward to seeing both Darrell and Alice Goen at each Gathering of the Eagles. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Group photo from Darrell Goen's seminar. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Working on technique with a new relative in the arts. Todd practices Kaju Kenpo which is descended from Rick Alemany's lineage. Rick Alemany is one of the individuals promoted to 10th Degree by Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro, the founder of Shaolin Kenpo. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Group photo from Paul Cervizzi's seminar. Where Kenpo and Jujitsu intersect. - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Paul Cervizzi received a Living Legend award this year for 50 years in the art. He has an exceptional communication style for teaching and operates several schools in Massachusetts. I'm also proud to call him a friend. -
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Group photo from John Hatfield's seminar. I learned a lot from this man, and he's a nurse, just like me! - Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
When you really "Kneed" to learn by doing. John T. Hatfield can show you the exact steps to get there -
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
John Hatfield, Paul Cervizzi, and Mike Skinner Jr. at the 2026 Gathering of Eagles. East meets West -
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
"Kenpo Joe" Rebelo has dealt with a myriad of medical setbacks in 2025-26, but true to the warrior spirit he possesses, he was able to make it to the Gathering of Eagles this year and shared a seminar with us. Joe has more knowledge of the history of Kenpo than any one else I personally know. -
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Ted Sumner is one of the most accommodating individuals I have met within Kenpo and has over 60 years in Tracy Kenpo as well as training with Professor Sig Kufferath in healing arts.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
Vance Murakami has many, many years of training in Tracy's Kenpo. He operates the school in California that Ted Sumner taught from and is one of the faces I truly look forward to seeing at these Gatherings.
Photo from Mike Skinner Jr's archives
bottom of page