550 Industrial Drive, Unit D, Naperville IL 60563
Telephone 630-778-6600
Maureen Browne
Maureen Browne began the study of DanZan Ryu Jujitsu in 1970 at the age of 16, at the urging of her brother, the late Prof. Pat Browne. Pat Browne had recently taken over as the instructor of the Naperville Judo Club, which met at the downtown Naperville YMCA. Maureen used to take the train from Brookfield to Naperville to meet her brother, who was a student at North Central College. The two would attend class at the YMCA then ride home to Brookfield together.It was during her high school years that Maureen developed an interest in Japanese martial arts and culture, and she spent a great deal of time reading her brother’s extensive martial arts library. So, as a freshman at Northern Illinois University in 1971, Maureen sought out the martial arts clubs on campus and began the study of both Kodokan Judo and Aikido.
Maureen competed as a member of the NIU Judo club for four years, training with Dick Provost Sensei and Wally Barber Sensei. Maureen also began training in Aikido as a founding member of the NIU Aikido club with Jon Eley Sensei and later, with Richard Reed Sensei. In 1972, Maureen met Akira Tohei Shihan and his wife Joanne Tohei Sensei on their first visit to NIU.
In 1975 Maureen received her Shodan in DanZan Jujitsu from the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation. After graduating from college, Maureen continued her Danzan Ryu training as a member of Prof. Pat Browne’s dojo, the Suburban Kodenkai, and she was one of the founding members of the Midwest Aikido Center, which was established under the direction of Akira Tohei Shihan.
In 1978 Maureen moved to Tokyo, Japan, to train intensively at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Upon arrival at Hombu dojo in 1978, Maureen had the privilege of meeting and training with T. K. Chiba Shihan. It was at Hombu in 1978 that Maureen received her Shodan in Aikido from Aikido Doshu, Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
Maureen returned home to Brookfield, IL in 1980. She continued her Danzan Ryu training with her brother Pat, and was the assistant instructor at the Suburban Kodenkai until Pat moved his school into downtown Chicago in 1990. Maureen also continued her Aikido training at the Midwest Aikido Center from 1980 until 1985, at which time she became a member of the Glen Ellyn Aikido Club.
In 1986 Maureen and her husband, John Gussman founded the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club. Classes were first held at the Aurora Park District, but in 1990 the club moved to the Naperville Park District.
In 1992 Maureen and John opened the Martial Arts Training Service at the corner of Route 59 and 75th Street. MATS was at that location from 1992 until the dojo moved to its current location on Industrial Drive in February of 2003. Maureen began teaching Aikido at MATS in December, 1992 and established the Fox Valley Aikikai. She developed a Women’s Self-defense and Rape Prevention course which she taught for Dupage Women Against Rape from 1983 until 1992 when she moved the course to MATS and the Naperville Park District.
In 1994, the Fox Valley Aikikai affiliated with T. K. Chiba Shihan, and in 2001 the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club became part of Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai.
Maureen currently holds the rank of 6th dan and Professor in DanZan Ryu Jujitsu from the Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai and 5th dan, Shidoin in Aikido from Birankai North America.
She has taught martial arts seminars through out the United States and Sweden.
Maureen also has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and is an experienced child and family therapist.
John Gussman
Coach John Gussman began the study of Kodokan judo in 1962 with Frank Hubbard Sensei in Dearborn, MI. He competed on a national-level until 1978. Since that time, he has coached and trained judo competitors on the national level. He currently holds the rank of 4th dan in Kodokan judo and is a nationally certified judo coach. John began the study of DanZan Ryu jujitsu in 1975 with Prof. Pat Browne and has been teaching DanZan Ryu jujitsu since 1986 when he and his wife Maureen founded the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club. John currently coaches national and international judo competitors at the Junior and Senior level. His assistant coaching staff comprises judo champions from around the world.
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