PRESIDENT

U.T.I. PRESIDENT
Grand Master Scott Luther Kopperud
B.ED., REC.ADMIN., VIII-DAN
1. Tribute to Grand Master Kopperud
2. Grand Master S.L.Kopperud Martial Art Biography
3. Kopperud Family Photograph
4. Kopperud Photographs

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On June 4, 1999 in Cologne, Germany, Scott L. Kopperud was promoted to the rank of 8th Dan Black-Belt Grand Master by an International Panel of TaeKwon-Do Experts, Grand Masters, Masters, Chief Instructors and Instructors. Grand Master Kopperud is the youngest TaeKwon-Do practitioner to achieve this rank which was awarded to him for dedication to the development and continuing evolution of TaeKwon-Do as well as his superior physical and technical expertise in the execution of the art.
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TaeKwon-Do, since its inception, has changed immeasurably. The dictates of an ever-evolving society and science have made this change inevitable. General Choi Hong Hi and many Masters worldwide have taken a crude form of pugilism and transformed it into an exact, precise science of movement. For me, the most influential of today's Master Instructors is the president of Unified TaeKwon-Do International, Scott L. Kopperud.

My journey along the path of TaeKwon-Do took me to many dojangs, in many countries, sampling many different methods of training. The one thing they all had in common, though, was the inappropriate emphasis on one small aspect of the art, to the exclusion of others. It reminded me of the four blind men who went to the zoo. While there they asked the zoo keeper if they could feel an elephant, to give themselves some idea of what the animal looked like. One man felt its ear and decided the beast was like a fan. Another man felt its tusk and immediately announced the animal was like a spear. The third man, meanwhile, was touching the enormous mammals trunk and knew straight away that it resembled a snake. The fourth man investigated the tail and jumped straight to the conclusion that the elephant was like a rope. TaeKwon-Do is a magnificent animal, and to study just one part of it, to the exclusion of all others, is a mistake that is all too commonly made. Until 1990, I often felt like one of those unfortunate men at the zoo, for it was is 1990 that I discovered Canada's best kept secret, Scott Kopperud. Here was a man who taught a complete, well balanced system, a complete Martial Art. In 1990, I sampled an art that had its foundation firmly in the "Philosophy of Balance".

Over the years I have discovered in our president a Master Instructor who did not just teach me his art, but who shared it with me in its entirety, quite unselfishly. Master Kopperud did not just practice his art, rather he lived the art to its fullest, celebrating in its beauty and power. There are many experts, but few real Masters. Scott L. Kopperud, to me, exemplifies the ideal of a man who has attained Mastery of his chosen "Way" at every conceivable level.

They say a reflection on a pool of water does not reveal its depth. In the same way, the splendid, extraordinary demonstration that we witnessed today (June 4, 1999 Cologne, Germany) does not reveal to the casual observer, the years of hardship, dedication and personal sacrifice that this Master has often had to make, in pursuit of his ultimate goal, the propagation of TaeKwon-Do at its highest level, through the auspices of Unified TaeKwon-Do International. The only way to gain comprehension of this goal is to experience it. One cannot adequately describe the taste of food without the sensation of eating. I ask you all (June 4, 1999 Cologne, Germany - Banquet) to join me in the experience of Unified TaeKwon-Do Internationals Founder. Nine years ago I found a "true" Master. I sought to emulate him, to follow in his footsteps, to learn the way. It is better to light a candle than curse the dark . . . I have not been disappointed.

Unified TaeKwon-Do International teaches its students to be concerned with the cultivation of "mind & body", "spirit & physique", "wisdom & ability". It is the building of self-control, discipline, integrity, respect for others, perseverance and a desire to be a complete Martial Artist that drives its instructors to be the best that they can be.

Scott L. Kopperud is a man who has attained Mastery of his Art and every conceivable level. Part of the reason for his phenomenal success as an instructor may become apparent as you study and teach his system as lain down in these textbooks and videos. The laying of a path must proceed stone by stone, there are no short cuts to the Mastery of TaeKwon-Do and Unified TaeKwon-Do International does not offer any. What it does offer is a logical, step by step syllabus, designed to progress your abilities systematically in "every" area of Martial Art training.

They say if the foundation is strong, the house will stand for a very long time. This foundation, having been lain by one of the worlds most innovative Masters of TaeKwon-Do, Scott L. Kopperud, will ensure that the house of Unified TaeKwon-Do International will endure long after most others have crumbled into dust.

With the new millennium beckoning, there is a new wave of knowledge and hungry students waiting to be led. I can think of no other Master more worthy than our own president, to lead us all into that future. To this end I give you a Grand Master for a new Millennium, a Grand Master for a New Generation . . . Grand Master Scott L. Kopperud.

KOPPERUD: MARTIAL ART BIOGRAPHY

On June 4, 1999 in Cologne, Germany, Scott L. Kopperud was promoted to the rank of 8th Dan Black-Belt Grand Master by an International Panel of TaeKwon-Do Experts, Grand Masters, Masters, Chief Instructors and Instructors. Grand Master Kopperud is the youngest TaeKwon-Do practitioner to achieve this rank which was awarded to him for dedication to the development and continuing evolution of TaeKwon-Do as well as his superior physical and technical expertise in the execution of the art.
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After training in TaeKwon-Do for only two years, Scott Kopperud gave up hockey to pursue the dream of achieving his Black-Belt, which he did two years later. Since that time, many years ago, he has gone on to become a Canadian National TaeKwon-Do Champion three times in both Forms and Free-Fighting, and twice in Board-Breaking. Kopperud is certified in both the "world" and "international" styles of TaeKwon-Do as a Master Instructor. With over five years experience as a high school teacher in the areas of physical education, English and special needs education, Kopperud has dedicated much of his time in the past eight years to developing and refining the "Kopperud" system of TaeKwon-Do instruction. Dropping all other professional activities in 1991, he has dedicated his time solely to TaeKwon-Do, the expansion of his 24 schools and the development of Unified TaeKwon-Do International. Kopperud travels often, giving seminars and providing quality instruction and support to TaeKwon-Do instructors world wide. Master Kopperud was examined and promoted to the rank of 7th Dan Black-Belt many years ago in the United States by a panel of 12 TaeKwon-Do and Martial Arts Masters. This examination was witnessed and endorsed by over one hundred TaeKwon-Do Black-Belts. Kopperud was the youngest North American to achieve this rank and is the first to do so in both the "international" and "world" styles.

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On June 4, 1999 in Cologne, Germany, Scott L. Kopperud was promoted to the rank of 8th Dan Black-Belt Grand Master by an International Panel of TaeKwon-Do Experts, Grand Masters, Masters, Chief Instructors and Instructors. Grand Master Kopperud is the youngest TaeKwon-Do practitioner to achieve this rank which was awarded to him for dedication to the development and continuing evolution of TaeKwon-Do as well as his superior physical and technical expertise in the execution of the art.
CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS

In August 2003, Grand Master Kopperud was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Canadian Grand Master of the Year.

Kopperud, his wife Carol Ann and their four children (shown above): Christine (red-belt, now 2nd Dan Black-Belt), Rachel (blue-belt, now 1st Dan Black-Belt), David (green-belt, now 1st Dan) and Matthew (yellow-belt, now Red-Belt) have been in Saskatoon since August 1991 when he opened his first Saskatchewan school. His Saskatoon school has grown from 22 to 300 members. With eight years of post-secondary education in Recreation Administration, Education and Theology, Kopperud, with a genuine love for what he does, continues to develop and refine his teaching skills in the ever evolving Martial Art of TaeKwon-Do.

Grand Master S.L.Kopperud, and Family
( Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, October 2004 )

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Last modified: March 15, 2007