Brian Sackett inducted into International Tang Soo Do Federation Hall of Fame

Teaching karate and watching his students succeed is rewarding for Master Brian Sackett.

After spending nearly 30 years studying and teaching Tang Soo Do, he is being recognized for his accomplishments.

Sackett recently accepted his induction into the International Tang Soo Do Federation Hall of Fame.

“The real reward is helping people become successful, watching them enjoy their lives and seeing the obstacles that they overcome,” Sackett said. “Even adults. I have adults who come here and have a lot of different struggles, and I’m here to help them just like the kids. Adults realize they can do a lot more than they ever thought.”

Sackett, 41, is the sole instructor of C.S. Kim Karate in Sarver. His dedication to karate is what got Sackett the prestigious honor. Nonetheless, Sackett did not become a Hall of Famer overnight.

He began karate when he was 12 years old, inspired by movies such as “Karate Kid” and “Rocky.”

Grand Master C.S. Kim and Zak Szabo were Sackett’s instructors as a beginner in 1994. Sackett learned a lot from the two, and he views them as great instructors.

“You walk out of there with confidence knowing that you learned something that is going to be effective,” Sackett said. “There were some times that I had to sit on the bench and wait a little bit because my arms and my legs were so tired. They taught tough classes, very tough classes, but that’s why a lot of people went there.”

In 2000, right before graduating high school from Pittsburgh East, Sackett earned a black belt and said he put his blood, sweat and tears into the accomplishment.

After graduation, Sackett joined the Marines and served as a Combat MP for six years, training soldiers in close-quarter combat techniques and hand-to-hand combat. He also was in combat and served two tours in Iraq.

“They’re (Marines) at the top of their game, and that’s what elite is,” Sackett said. “Having trust in someone with your life, that’s on another level, so being with Marines in combat was a great experience. I personally wouldn’t want to be in combat with anyone else but Marines.”

Sackett enjoyed the teaching aspect in the Marines and how everyone was eager to learn.

“Whenever Marines are teaching other Marines, it’s like brothers teaching brothers,” he said. “You’re a family, and what you’re teaching them is going to help them possibly save their life, so it’s more than just passing on information. We are always there to help each other.”

In 2006, Sackett made his way back to the states, and the first thing he wanted to do was start his own karate school.

“When I came back from overseas, I wanted and had a desire to help people. I’ve always wanted to help people,” Sackett said. “With those experiences overseas in combat, you realize how short life is, and that was a way that I could definitely help people, by teaching them how to protect themselves.”

In May 2008, Sackett took over C.S. Kim Karate in Natrona Heights and was guided by C.S. Kim throughout the process. Sackett also earned his 4th Dan Master belt in 2008.

He said his teaching helped him become more and more humble. Tang Soo Do leads to humility and is a selfless form of martial arts. It’s what drives Sackett to keep teaching. He said he loves teaching others, but most of all, he loves learning and being taught by others.

“With all the lessons, I learned how to be a better person by interacting with people and teaching them but also learning from them,” Sackett said. “We do help each other here. We help each other grow in Tang Soo Do and in life. We’re always here to help each other.”

In 2014, Sackett moved the school from Natrona Heights to Sarver. In 2020, he received his 5th Dan Master belt with help from C.S. Kim.

All his hard work has paid off, and he is being honored in the upper echelon of Tang Soo Do.

“That’s quite an achievement, and I’m very honored to be a part of the many wonderful Hall of Famers that were before me,” Sackett said. “It truly is an honor.”

There were many who motivated Sackett throughout his journey. Despite pushing himself to get better, he is grateful for those who helped him throughout his career.

“Master Kim, Zak Szabo, my friends, my family, everybody has had a hand,” Sackett said. “It takes a whole village, and everybody has had a hand in that success in where I’m at, and I’m continually grateful for that and I never forget those people.”

Sackett said his No. 1 supporter is his mother, Elsie. He said she instilled a mentality to always improve and do better.

His father, William, died in January, but he is forever grateful for him. Sackett was motivated by his father because he served in the U.S. Army and was an inspiration to him.

Sackett continues to instruct, teaching four to five classes a day and plans to continue to push himself.

Teaching might be Sackett’s top priority, but he also enjoys competing in sparring tournaments. He and his team recently won a Grand Champion Cup in sparring.

Sackett wants to continue to make an impact in Tang Soo Do and in life in general.

“What people remember is how you treat them,” he said. “No matter if you have a grand champion trophy or third-place trophy or you didn’t place at all, are you a good person? That’s really what it comes down to. My friends, they’re not my friends because I have a grand champion cup. They’re my friends because of how I treat them, and that’s the most important thing.”