Daniel (Dann) Baker-Single (62). Born December 21, 1947 on the Turtle Mountain

Indian Reservation, Belcourt, North Dakota. One half Native American (Chippewa).

Attended all Indian Boarding Schools, Wahpeton Indian School, North Dakota

(Elementary) and Flandreau Indian School, South Dakota (High School). Served

four years in the United States Air Force (Combat Photographer) 1966-1970.

Completed Bachelor and Master Degrees from Southwest Texas State University.

Doctorate work at The University of Texas. Taught two years of Public School

(all level; Elementary, Jr. High and High School) in Central Texas. Taught and

coached the past 33 years at Southwest Texas State University/Texas State

University(name change). Some notable students: David Medena, Texas State

Supreme Court judge. George Strait, Country Music singer. Charles Austin,

Olympic Gold Medalist-High Jump. John Moreau, Two time Olympian-Fencing.

Martial Arts training started in 1957 with Tae Kwon Do, under Master John Yan

Young. After five years changed styles to Goju-ryu until entering the service in

1966. With a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Goju-ryu, a friend introduced Dann to

Sgt. Tony Lasit and the Art of Kajukenbo. For the next 43 years with the respect

and admiration for his instructor (GM Lasit), Dann continued to train in

Kajukenbo. There was a period of separation between him and instructor Sgt.

Lasit, but this enabled him to meet Grand Masters; Richard Peralta and Don

Nahoolewa, who introduced him to Sijo Adriano D. Emperado. Since 1988 until

today Dann has been a member of KSDI and had the honor and privilege to work

with many great Kajukenbo martial artists.

In the competitive side, Dann was an outstanding athlete through his elementary,

high school and college career. He excelled in boxing during elementary. Was all

state in football, wrestling and track while attending high school. In college

he was undefeated in wrestling. State Collegiate wrestling champion and voted

the Outstanding Collegiate Wrestler in Texas. In the military he was World Wide

Air Force Wrestling Champion in freestyle and greco-roman. All service Wrestling

Champion in greco-roman. In judo he won 48 matches and lost only two. Was ranked

number one in forms and fighting (Karate) for two years in Texas. Retired from

competition in his late 30's and came out of retirement in his 40's. Won the

United States Karate Championships twelve times in forms, self-defense, breaking

and fighting. Won his first Sport Karate (NBL) world title at the age of 48 in

Traditional Self-Defense. Went on to win thirteen more World Titles in his 50's.

Only competitor to win Creative Breaking more than once (Three times).

Coached Southwest Texas State University to 17 consecutive years (State

Collegiate Karate Champions). Coached the University Judo Team to State

Collegiate Judo Champions. Coached the University Wrestling Team to seven State

Collegiate Wrestling Championship Titles. Taught and coached "All Americans" in

Judo. Taught and coached 16 U.S. Champions in Karate (Forms and Fighting).

Taught and coached 15 World Champions in forms, breaking, traditional

self-defense, choreograph self-defense, weapons and fighting. In the National

Black League (Sport Karate International), Dann coached and competed on "The

Neal Adams Firefighters" Nation Karate Team (Two time World Champions). Coached

and competed on "Team USA" for eight years.

Won the Distinguished Alumnus Award in Exercise Sport Science at Southwest Texas

State University. Was Who's Who among American Teachers in College and

Universities. National Champions (10K relay Team-1981) Corporate Cup National

Championships-Stanford University. Boston Marathon qualifier (5 times) with a

best time of 2 hours 36 minutes and 23 seconds.

On the 15th of June 2006, Dann was promoted to Grand Master by his instructor

Sr. Grand Master Tony Lasit and Sijo Adriano D. Emperado.