The Four Founders’ Awards

In an effort recognize the accomplishments and efforts of our students, instructors, and other contributors, we have established The Four Founders’ Awards in honor of the four founders of the AJJF.

Before making a nomination please read the complete criteria for the proposed award to make sure the nominee and nominator are eligible. As a nominator. please include all available and pertinent contact information requested, so we may contact you if we have questions. If you have questions please call Jerold Kunzman at (408) 234-5512, or send email to awards@ajjf.org. Information on the selection process can also be found on the AJJF website.

All nominations must be done on the official ballot.
All nominations must meet all criteria in the official guidelines.
All nominations should be written legibly or preferably typed.
Any nominations not meeting the preceding criteria may be discarded.
With permission, ballots may be published and the appropriate credit given to the author.

Link to the nomination form

Professor John Cahill Award - Outstanding Tournament Competitor of the year

Awarded to the person showing a commitment to excellence, sportsmanship and representing the best qualities and ideals of the AJJF, such as Ohana and Kokua.

A Black Belt may make nominations for any contestant with a minimum of two contests from November to October of the year prior to the presentation.
OR
A contest host or judge can nominate an individual based on their performance and/or attitude for a single contest. Please include details on the ballot.

Professor Bud Estes Award - Outstanding Contribution to the AJJF

Awarded to the person committed to the betterment and perpetuation of the AJJF and Danzan Ryu.

Any member of the AJJF is eligible, including Kyus, Dans, and Professors.
Any Yudansha can nominate a member.
Each Yudansha may nominate a maximum of one member.

Professor Ray Law Award - Outstanding Contribution to the Youth of the AJJF

Awarded to the person creating, supporting and/or commitment to the youth programs of the AJJF.

Any member of the AJJF is eligible, including Kyus, Dans, and Professors.
Any member of the AJJF can nominate another member.
Each Member may nominate a maximum of one member.

Professor Dick Rickerts Award - Outstanding AJJF Sensei of the year

Awarded to the person dedicated to building the foundation of our Federation; that is, the students, from Kyu to Dan ranks; teaching the Ryu and facilitating the development character through patience, tolerance, tenacity, energy, enthusiasm, compassion, and by setting the example as a mentor.

The candidate must be contributing Yudansha, this includes but no limited to School Heads, Seminar instructors, and Instructors for Ju Jitsu and the Healing Arts.
Any student or instructor, excluding a member of the BOP or Operations Committee, may nominate the candidate.
Members of the BOP are excluded from receiving this award.

Previous Recipients of the Four Founders Awards

	Prof. Cahill	Prof. Estes	Prof. Law	Prof. Rickerts
2006	Geoff Lane	Ed Shatzen	Jose Ortiz	Robert Seiler
2007	Michelle Lindstrom	Nancy Bigham	Randy Schuster	Gerry Halligan
2008	Bridget Wilson	Frank Ferris	Jess Green	Frank Ferris

Link to the nomination form