System History
Thank you for your interest in the development and evolution of NCK created and developed by Professor Nick Cerio. Professor Cerio formally called his system NCK in 1974. At this time the system was developed by mixing the hard Kenpo teachings of Karazenpo Go Shin Jitsu (a Kajukenbo offshoot), American Kenpo, and Kyokushin Kai, with the softer influence of Go Shin Jitsu Kenpo/Chinese Kempo Kai (click here for a short Kenpo/Kempo Family Tree). Professor had also had Korean and Japanese Martial Arts input from Grandmaster Ernie Lieb and Tadashi Yamashita Hanshi, the latter focused on self-defense and Okinawan weapons.
The rest of the 1970's and into the 1980's saw Professor Cerio continue to expand his knowledge and expertise in Okinawan Weapons with the additional input from Shihan Fumio Demura. Also during this span of time, Professor Cerio focused on the Chinese Martial Arts influences of the internal Chi development training in Yang style Tai Chi Chuan he was learning from Sifu Gee Gin Soon, aka, Gin Soon Chu and from at least two other Kung Fu teachers during this time, learning many of the Kung Fu forms and Chinese weapons. Many people still talk of Professor Cerio's Chi demonstrations which he had developed and shared during this period of time.
The latter 1980's and 1990's were a period of great expansion for Professor Cerio and NCK. Professor Cerio had decided in 1989 to start putting out a series of videos of the NCK system.
It is noteworthy here to answer the question that many people have about Professor Cerio's use of "American Kenpo" on ranking certificates. Professor Cerio primarily ranked in two systems of Kenpo, NCK and American Kenpo. However, Professor Cerio's use of the term American Kenpo is NOT the same as SGM Ed Parker's Kenpo sytem. Professor Cerio used this term as a generic term to grade people in the art of 'Kenpo'. It probably would have been less confusing had he just put 'Kenpo' as the sytem on the certificates. His intension was not to infringe on SGM Parker's system name and we apologize if there has been any confusion that this practice has caused.
By 1993, Professor Cerio had numerous videos available to the public. Also during this time, Professor Cerio was fine tuning the NCK cirriculum to decided upon 36 techniques that he now required for Black Belt level. These were the total of the Self Defense Vol. 1, 2, & 3 videos. Professor Cerio expansion included doing many Seminar Tours across the country and the opening of an official corporate headquarters to be the center of operations, which included a generous size dojo, conference room, office, and large waiting area. By 1995, Professor Cerio had decided to scale back his operation and focus almost exclusively on his NCK schools. He cut his student base to include, almost exclusively, the Chief Instructors of his schools and also closed his Headquarters school in favor of a much more modest school in Warwick. His students will fondly remember the Good Morning Breakfast eatery next door. It was in 1997 that Professor Cerio sadly had to disband the NCIMAA for reasons stated on the NCIMAA web page.
Finally in early 1998, Professor Cerio had finally decided to center his focus exclusively on his school owners. He started, and nearly completed, a major renovation of the garage on his property with the plan to teach his students right in his own back yard. It was a beautiful plan that sadly did not come to pass. Admitted to the hospital on Saturday, October 3rd, Professor Cerio's condition quickly deteriorated, and at 2:50pm on October 7, 1998, Professor Nick Cerio stunned the Martial Arts world with his passing. He is greatly missed by all who knew him and his students continue to show their respect for him by intruducing new students to his system that he dedicated and sacraficed his whole life developing.
Rest in Peace Professor...we miss you!
- WARNING -
After Professor Cerio's passing in 1998, some organizations have retaped Professor Cerio's videos using their own students and selling the pirated tapes under their own system name. This is highly unethical and disgraceful behavior and those responsible should be deeply ashamed of themselves. They are breaking Professor Cerio's five Principles of Conduct in the worst way. Even more troubling is the fact that most of those involved were direct students of Professor Cerio and are embarrassing themselves and Professor Cerio's memory with their conduct. What would Professor Cerio say if he were alive?! Please do not condone this practice by buying pirated tapes/DVD's of Professor Cerio's videos.
Thank you for your support.
