MASTER TRICE FASIG

   Below is Master Fasig's bio, submitted by him at my request. As usual, he has deflected the spot light from himself, by giving the lion’s share of the credit to others. With this time honored habit of his, he has made a pure science out of hiding in plain sight. Let me explain that statement by saying, that with all of Trice's talent, knowledge and longevity; he has almost always been in the shadow of others. With the Nashville dojo producing six hall of fame members, along with several high profile Masters and tournament fighters, Trice has simply been at times; the forgotten man. But, where would the Nashville School be without Trice? Having never been bashful about putting his name on a lease, his money on the line, his body in harms way, or endlessly giving of his time; Trice could arguably be considered Nashville's most valuable asset and Master ever. No one has been there longer or lived through as many changes. How has he handled this so well for so many years? With a great attitude, a strong sense of self, a never say die work ethic, a great love for Isshin-ryu and an unswerving loyalty to those he calls friend. To Trice, the most important title to him is friend. He is a man who eschews titles (such as Master ect.), and prefers to address people he respects in the original Isshin-ryu fashion as Mister. He is from the "Mr." Long era, and most of his value system and methods of assigning respect, are still in that era. Yet, he is flexible enough to abide by the new wave of titles, by keeping his beliefs in the proper context. Trice and I agree on the sometimes monotony of grandiose titles, combined with inflated ego's, and meaningless rank. Most people like him from the old school, who have fully earned their bones do also. From the first time he walked into our Nashville dojo, he has walked the walk and mostly let others talk the talk. Not that he can't talk the talk. He can hold his own in any conversation whether it be Isshin-ryu or any other subject you can mention. He is a first rate accountant and one of the smartest guys you'll ever know. He can also put his smart guy image aside, and become a classic clown. He loves to be outrageous and say things for the shock value. But, here is a guy who can also take it. He was Mr. Longs favorite target and sets himself up for others to take shots. His affable nature allows him to enjoy it as well as anyone. Here again, this is but another layer in a personality that often becomes what others need it to be. He’s not however, someone to take liberties with just because he is good natured. If you try to take advantage of his good nature, you are going to be unpleasantly surprised. He can have a very fiery, nasty, side. I witnessed that first hand when he and I got into a brief altercation at a tournament last year. But let me hasten to add; to he and I, it was no big deal. It was just a Nashville thing. Most of us from Nashville have dealt with each other like that at times. If you get in someone’s face in the old Nashville group, that's what you can expect. It's not personal. Just brotherly, Nashville, inter-reaction. You should have seen some of our Christmas parties. No one that was around will ever forget how hard Trice hit a guy in class one night. It of course broke the guys jaw and I thought it he had killed him. I think he could do that again whenever he wants to, but just doesn't. He has turned himself into a very formidable, all round, martial artist, by becoming very proficient in several disciplines (see below). He has always been one of the hardest "Working Master" I know. When I rejoined Isshin-ryu and attended my first tournament, Trice along with Master Butch Hill, was directing the tournament. When I went to Nashville to train and catch up, there was Trice to help me with my grappling and basic pankration knowledge. At my first Jujitsu seminar, again there was Trice participating and helping out anyone who was new. He also visited our dojo with Butch to teach grappling to our group. He is now head Sensei of the Nashville Dojo. He has the unenviable task of keeping this legendary dojo going, in today's culture of spoiled kids, and lazy adults. Here's a guy that it would be a shame to overlook for the Isshin-ryu Hall Of Fame. When some have been inducted based on name recognition, political pull, and little recognizable contributions for years, consider this. Master Trice Fasig's qualifications are written in, physical abilities, longevity, continuing contributions, and the respectful affirmation of those he helped to become Hall of Fame inductees. The next time you attend an event (Trice will surely most always be there), just say thank you, to a guy who has been a major component in Isshin-ryu's growth and success these many years.  

SEE MASTER FASIG'S COMMENTS BELOW:

Trice Fasig - Martial Arts Biography

   Thank you, Master Shaffer, for asking me to submit my biography for inclusion with those of the truly great Masters who have and will be submitting their biographies for inclusion on your web site.

   I began as a student at the Karate School of Nashville Inc. (for the second time) in the spring of 1974. When Master Shaffer returned at the end of 1974, I was the only one of three students who was paying his dues - I figured this would endear me to Master Shaffer from the beginning, but he sure didn’t act like it. I received the last Nashville black belt awarded by Master Shaffer before be moved to South Carolina in late 1976.

   My teachers were and are Master Denny Shaffer, Master Phil McElroy, Master Jim McDonald, Master Roy Vaughan and Master Bob “Butch” Hill. Roy started out as my teacher, left for a while and returned as my contemporary. Butch started out as my contemporary and became my teacher. There is not enough gratitude or love in the world to express how I feel about these great men.

   I was promoted to Shichidan (along with my friend, Roy Vaughan) on December 13, 2003. My friends, Master Phil McElroy, Master Butch Hill, and Master David Gabbard were on hand to present this award along with most of the Nashville and Lebanon Dojo’s. I can’t think of anyone I would rather hand me the certificate than Master McElroy. Roy, Jeff, Sandra and I have only been trying to preserve what we have in Nashville while Master Hill has brought us new perspective and knowledge.  The pity is that I see no one coming up who will fill our shoes.

   Over the years I have received instruction or attended seminars from Wally Jay, George Dillman, Master Harold Long, Master Toby Cooling, and Master Phil Little. Two of my contemporaries in Nashville were David Gabbard and Sandra Strong (not that I had anything to do with their success or well deserved notoriety), and there was this little kid named Tony Williams who hung around, too (some of you may have heard of him). My studies have touched on Ju-Jutsu (in which I hold a Nidan certificate) Chin-na, Aikido, Kyuoso-jutsu, Tuite, Boxing, Conditioning, edged weapons, combat, handgun, and rifle (when you just have to reach out and touch someone). Every Martial Discipline I look at enhances my Isshin-ryu. I was never a great tournament champion, and I am not a great teacher. I am certainly not a Master. Trust me: I know plenty of champions and Masters; I’m not one. I’m the guy in the trenches who shows up every week between one and three times; the guy who pays the bills, files the taxes, and does all of the little stuff so the real Masters keep our tradition alive.