Alpha AtWefeA Brother ROBERT L. HARRIS (Moo Duk Kwan Harris) is one of the foremost practictioners of the art of karate in the United States. The Hamilton, Ohio native has won over one hundred and sixty karate championships and recently became only the second Black man in history to become the #1 Karate Champion in the U.S. Brother Harris, whose tournament career began in 1971, was rated #4 in the nation in 1975 by the United States Karate Association and among the Top Fifty Karate Players in the world by Professional Karate Magazine. In 1976, he became the #1 National Tournament Champion of the United States Karate Association. A third degree black belt, he is head instructor of the Moo Duk Kwan Karate Temple and chief instructor of the affiliated schools of the Moo Duk Kwan Karate Temple Association. According to Brother Harris, proficiency in karate is determined by how well each individual works to develop his potential to the fullest possible extent. He states "I try to do my best in everything I do. I believe that being persistent with hard work will bring my inner visions into reality." Unfortunately, prejudice is still found in professional karate circles and Brother Harris' success can in large measure be attributed to the persistence that he mentions. This summer, Brother Harris was elected Regional Director of Operations of professional karate in Ohio by the Moo Duk Kwan Temple Association. One of the founders of the National Black Belt Karate Association, Brother Harris was also named to the local YMCA Board of Management and Board of Trustees. These and other honors for Brother Harris, including the June 20, 1976 proclamation by Hamilton Mayor Frank Witt citing "Moo Kuk Kwan Harris Day" in that city, stem in large measure The Sphinx / October 1976
from his many civic and community projects. He personally coordinates numerous fund-raising activities in order to allow more young people to participate in karate; co-sponsors a citywide boxing championship; manages a local vocal group; and often volunteers his services as a karate instructor. In addition, Harris is the innovator of a
special "Work Study Program" of the Moo Duk Kwan Association. Through this program ranking belts (those qualified to teach) are set up with classes, with the monies received through this effort applied toward the tuition of these young instructors. The association pays any money not generated through the classes and , presently, two students at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio are receiving financial aid through this project. Brother Harris is also the first Black in the area to venture into promoting karate tournaments and serves as the producer of the Midwest Karate Olympics Championships and the annual Karate Expo. Members of his chapter, Delta Upsilon at Miami U, and indeed all Alphas can be extremely proud of this versatile and creative Alpha Life Member. Brother Robert Harris . . . an outstanding Alpha Athlete!
Brother ROBERT (Moo Duk Kwan) HARRIS poses with championship trophy (right photo) and demonstrates his winning style (left photos - top to bottom) — the fighting stance, the foot sweep, and the wheel kick.
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