StoryWall Tribute

"The learning never stops." Daniel Satterlee of Sykesville said of his 29 years in karate. "That is the aspect that really keeps me hooked."

Satterlee, 41, said he has been studying the art of karate for over 29 vears and teaching it for 20. He is a third degree black belt.

Satterlee said his mother was instrumental in influencing him to try karate, "She had a friend in karate and liked the discipline it instilled."

"So, at 14, I followed her advice and I stuck with it," he said, "My dad, Bill, even joined after me,"

Satterlee, who grew up in Hollidaysburg, studied karate throughout the 1970's and was promoted to a brown belt right before he moved to DuBois in 1979. He said even after he moved to DuBois, he still drove back to Hollidaysburg on weekends to continue studying with his instructor C.M. Bookwalter. Bookwalter has since passed away and he currently studies with Dave Salyards.

"I just love karate," Satterlee said. "It has taught me so much, I love the learning aspect of it, the self-confidence it has given me, the exercise it provides for me and I love it as an art."

Satterlee said many people have the wrong impression of karate. "I always tell my students that those who can only relate karate to power have to start back at the beginning again,' he said. "Karate should make you more sensible about a dangerous situation and hopefully teach you how to ward off an attack without resulting in a physical attack." 'The skills are there if you would need them for that type of situation," he said. "But the ultimate goal is to make you a better person." lie said the greatest compliment he is paid is when someone he has known for a long time finally learns he studies karate. "That is the beat compliment when someone says they can't believe I know karate," he said, "not walking around like you own the world; that is the way it should be."

Satterlee studies the karate style of Wado-Ryu. He and his wife Janet teach that style at the Shuto Society Karate Club in Sykesville. His wife is a third degree black belt. He said he has been teaching for 20 years and has approximately 24 students now. He credits his father to helping him begin his first instruction class. "I've had students as young as 7 and some who are in their mid-60s," he said. "Anyone can study and learn karate." Satterlee said anyone interested in studying karate should come and watch a class first. "Come and see our style," he said. "Our style is more of a self-defense application. By coming to a class and watching, it helps to eliminate a lot of the preconceived notions about it."

"A lot of people say they could never do karate," he said. "But that's not true, many are amazed at what they can do after only a month." Satterlee said each of his five children have studied karate. "All of mv children have taken karate lessons," he said. "And two of them have earned a black belt."

"It has been real good for them." he said. "It was real hard taking classes from mom and dad but now they all say they are glad to have learned karate." Satterlee said one of the biggest things karate has taught him is to have a good attitude. "It has helped me accomplish so many things," he said. "It has taught me to set a goal and to work to achieve it." Satterlee gave the example of running. "I've now competed in three marathons and my wife has been in seven." he said. "One thing that is important to remember is that no one accomplishes goals by themselves," he said. "I've had great instructors and the support of my family and I continue to have both." "If I ever feel disappointed with my work life, I'll always have the goals I achieved in karate; no one can take that away from me," he said.

"Karate hasn't been my entire life, but it has been a big part of my life, it is something I do.' Satterlee said in his life God and family and friends come first, "and then its work and karate." "But I do love karate, and God-willing. I'll be teaching it for another 40-50 years," he said.