About SIBBA
Mission
The State of Iowa Black Belt Association is an educational, professional and charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of martial arts and our member practitioners.
The mission of the SIBBA is to:
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Foster interest and participation throughout Iowa, the nation and the world in the amateur sports of Judo, Hapkido, Taekwondo and other martial arts
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Provide educational and competitive opportunities for martial artists of all ages and abilities
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Support our members' martial arts development through products, seminars, donations, sponsorships, scholarships and grants
History of SIBBA
Grandmaster Yong Chin Pak began his Iowa State University (ISU) career of teaching Judo, Hapkido and Taekwondo in 1973. Since that time, he has received many honors and awards – locally, nationally and internationally. His vision of creating Pak-family martial arts programs began early, along with a vision to provide an organization for all black belts to continue their training and education, provide for instructor training and certification and to provide services for black belts and others in the martial arts who were interested in pursuing their art, whether it be for fitness, teaching, competition or recreation.
From the three clubs at ISU, Grandmaster Pak encouraged the black belts to form an organization which educated, trained and provided services to individuals who attained their black belts and who aspired to become a black belt. The first references to the “ISU Black Belt Association” date back to 1985-86. The first conference titled “Multi-Martial Arts Conference” sponsored by the Black Belt Association was planned for February 16 - February 18, 1989, in conjunction with the 14th Martial Arts Banquet on Saturday, February 18th. The topics included CPR, sports injury management, a written test (with a possible oral test) which covered material in Master Pak’s Taekwondo book, basic self defense, falling, throwing techniques, specific needs of instructors and fun time (board breaking, etc.).
The name ISU Black Belt Association was changed to Iowa State Black Belt Association (ISBBA) around 1990. A scholarship program was put into place that year, with three scholarships awarded ($300, $200, and $100). Newsletters included a list of ISBBA members, special events, informative articles, people who received their black belts, addresses of alumni and black belt association members, etc.
In the spring of 1993, the name was changed from Iowa State Black Belt Association (ISBBA) to State of Iowa Black Belt Association (SIBBA). Since then, the SIBBA has grown and continues to grow with the support of its members and people dedicated to promoting martial arts in the State of Iowa.
Even though there were seminars, workshops and workouts sponsored by the Black Belt Association in the early years, the first SIBBA Symposium was held in 2000 and we have held an educational event almost every year since.