Instructors

Jim Harpe, Instructor

James Harpe is the head instructor and founder of Gracie Agawam. James has been involved in the Martial Arts for over 30 years. He has been training non-stop since 1980. James holds a first degree black belt in Taekido under Sensei Willey Whitley, His first Black Belt was under Kancho Noriyasu Kudo a Grand Master and Red Belt in Judo and Karate. He holds a second degree black belt in Ashihara karate under Kancho Ashihara, a second degree black belt in Iaido (Muso Shinden Ryu) under Sensei Lorraine DiAnne, a fourth degree black belt in Enshin karate under Kancho Ninomiya-All Japan Champion 1978. Both Ashihara Karate and Enshin Karate are Karate Arts based on the art of Sabaki (Getting the Blind spot) both of these Grand Masters were Masters in Mas Oyama Kyokushinkai. Sensei Harpe holds a brown belt since 2008 in Brazilian jiu jitsu-Gracie JiuJitsu under the legendary Royce Gracie. Senesi Harpe has been studying Gracie JiuJitsu since 1993 when Royce Gracie won the 1st UFC. Jim Harpe’s EXPERIENCE and JOURNEY in Martial Arts is Called American Sabaki in which he holds the rank of Shihan 6 degree Black belt. This rank was obtained in 2005. His instruction is reality based for the Art of Self Defense which is the foundation of Royce Gracie JiuJitsu.

In addition to being a Martial Artist, Sensei Jim Harpe is also a military veteran with twenty years of service. He retired as a Major in the Air National Guard when Westfield Air National Guard Base was a A-10 Unit. Some of his duties included, Executive Support Officer, Commander of the Security Police Flight, Commander of the Social Actions Office, Diversity Officer for the Army and Air at State Head Quarters in Massachusetts and Recruiter for the Air Force Academy. Sensei Harpe is a Citizen Soldier.

Jiujitsu Award: He was the Winner of the International Masters Seniors Championship in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in 2008 and 2009. He won two gold medals each year in his weight and as absolute champion. Once as a purple belt and once as a brown belt. He has also been champion in numerous NAGA-North American Grappling Association events both in GI and NO-GI. Sensei Harpe love’s competition an will compete as long as possible. He will also compete this year in Brazil again in the International Masters Seniors Tournament. He is 52 years young. Competition is great but his true love is teaching Self Defense and Combative’s for the military.

Sensei Harpe played football and ran track lettered in both for his three years at Albany High School in Albany, Ga. As a kid Sensei Jim Harpe grew up in the YMCA in Albany, Ga. He was part of the Leaders council and went to the YMCA camps to enhance his leadership. He taught swimming, coach Basketball for young kid’s and help out as a staff member. The YMCA was the first place that Sensei Harpe experienced the ground fighting sport of Wrestling. His teacher was Bob Swadel a graduate of Springfield College who played football and Wrestle, Bob was an early and important role model for Sensei Harpe. Mr. Swadel saw something special in Sensei Jim Harpe and encouraged him to go to Springfield College. He went on to play four more years of football at Springfield College in Springfield, Ma. Sensei Harpe has always been driven to do his best and work out hard and to always challenge himself. Even at almost 53 years young he still pushes himself to the limit and is a great role model for his students. His dream is to be like Helio Gracie in his pursuit of self improvement through making Gracie JiuJitsu a way of Life. He wants to be 95 years young still working out on the Mat like Grand Master Helio Gracie.

Three of Sensei’s Harpe’s students have fought in MMA tournaments as well as knockout Karate tournaments like the Sabaki Challenge. All of this while getting in great shape.

Jim also has a MSW from University of Connecticut and M.Ed in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College. As a therapist he specializes in trauma issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, Forensic Investigations for the court and child protection and neglect issues. See you on the mat!

Tony Davila, Assistant Instructor

Tony Davila is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and an assistant instructor at Royce Gracie Agawam. It was fifteen years ago that Tony started his life-long journey in martial arts. During which time he has had the opportunity to train with many great martial artists and has trained under Sensei Harpe in Enshin Karate, spent many years competing and coaching in wrestling and also holds a black belt in Sento. Like many he was bitten by the competition bug and has competed in various Karate, wrestling, amateur mma, and grappling competitions. Competition is a great way to hone individual skills but in terms of martial arts instruction and training, reality street self defense needs to be at the center of all fighting concepts. He invites everyone to check out Royce Gracie Agawam for the great training and he knows you’ll stay for the great sense of camaraderie, open and inviting atmosphere, and mutual regard students and teachers hold for each other. See you on the mats.

Robert Langevin, Coach

I began studying martial arts in 1982 under Noriyasu Kudo sensei; I studied under Kudo sensei for about a year before the dojo closed. In 1991, while in college, I began studying Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do with Master Mike Wollmershauser. While studying Hapkido I was fortunate to become friends with Stephen Chrusciel & in 1994 he introduced me to the weapon-based systems of Southeast Asia. Over the next several years I was fortunate to receive instruction from Guru Wes Tasker, Tuhon Roberto Torres, Guru Besar Willem de Thouars, Tuhon Tom Kier and Tuhon Chris Sayoc. I began studying Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2001 and continue my studies at Royce Gracie Agawam. In addition to my martial arts background, I hold a B.Sc. in Sports Biology from Springfield College.

Combatives Cross Training Coach, Stephen Chrusciel

Stephen Chrusciel has been studying martial arts & related disciplines since 1979 & holds instructor-level ranks in several culturally diverse systems. Since 1994 he has primarily focused his study on the weapon-based systems of Japan & Southeast Asia. He is fortunate to have received instruction as a full-time student from several noted teachers including Wes Tasker sensei of the Tenshin Shintai Ryu, Guru Besar Willem de Thouars of Kuntao Silat de Thouars, Tuhons Chris Sayoc & Tom Kier of Sayoc Kali, & Tuhon Roberto Torres of Kalasag Orinihal Kali Kuntao. In addition to his martial arts background, Steve holds a B.Sc. in Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology from the University of Massachusetts.