Ernie Boggs started his martial arts training in 1970 at a YMCA in St. Albans, West Virginia. Under the guidance of karate master Bob Long, and later the influences of jujitsu legend Professor Wally Jay and martial arts great Graciela Casillas, the creation of a champion and martial arts visionary was complete. From traditional martial arts training at the local YMCA to point tournaments (before sparring pads were invented), to body guarding and underground fighting, to magazine covers and changing martial arts competition around the world, Ernie Boggs has evolved into one of the worlds most influential martial artists today.
Boggs is a four-time Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee and considered one of the greatest sport jujitsu players of all time. He was the first American to become World Champion in that sport as well as the only person to receive the AAU Jujitsu All-American Award. He has also competed on the national & international circuit, excelling in traditional karate and professional kickboxing.  Since retiring from competition, Boggs has utilized his 35 yrs of martial arts experience & skill in coaching the USA Sport Jujitsu Team.  As coach of Team USA, he has produced more national & world champions in his sport than any other coach in the world. In his commitment and desire to promote Sport Jujitsu throughout the world, he has been instrumental in establishing the International Sport Jujitsu Association (ISJA).  He has served as ISJA chairman, and is considered the world's leading authority on Sport Jujitsu. As a matter of fact, he is even credited for coining the term Sport Jujitsu.  Mr. Boggs created the very first piece of sparring equipment designed specifically for mixed martial arts competition. His sport jujitsu glove looks similar to a boxing glove while the hand is closed but when it is open the fingers are free to permit grappling.
 
 

 He produced the first video series ever on sport jujitsu with Pioneer Interstate (Tiger Claw) and has another 7-tape video series, Sport Jujitsu from the Ring to the Street, available through Unique Publications.
 
 

Boggs is a founding member of the United States Sport Jujitsu Association (USSJA) and is credited for promoting the very first mixed martial arts competition (sport jujitsu) on an organized level in the United States. He wrote the rulebook for the ISJA that more than 25 countries now follow as the official guidelines of sport jujitsu competition. He also hosted the 1996 ISJA Sport Jujitsu World Championships bringing 17 countries together in South Charleston, West Virginia. With over 1,200 competitors sport jujitsu competition had finally arrived as a legitimate international sport. At this event it was proven that sport jujitsu is the most realistic means of testing your martial arts fighting skill in a safe manner. Over 5,000 matches and no (zero) serious injuries is a very good safety record for any sport. Through the training & guidance of Ernie Boggs, the USA Team came away with the Gold Medal in team competition for the very first time.
 

As a martial artist, Boggs has traveled around the world teaching, competing and training in more than 24 countries. Mr. Boggs also specializes in teaching Defensive Tactics and Combatives for law enforcement as well as the United States military.  As a certified defensive tactics expert, Boggs is world renowned for his close quarter weapon disarms and retention. He has worked with members of police agencies across the country as well as in Argentina and South Africa.
 
 

When he is not traveling conducting seminars or coaching Team USA, Boggs is teaching at his dojo, Boggs/Casillas Defensive Arts Institute (BCI) in Nitro, West Virginia. BCI has become world renowned for producing some of the most well rounded martial artist on the planet. BCI is affiliated with schools in more
than 20 countries and has students on five continents.

Boggs passion is working with kids, especially at-risk-youth. He has worked with kids from many different backgrounds ranging from the rich & famous to
potential gang bangers. Although he believes poverty plays a huge roll in creating at-risk-youth, he also believes just because a kid may be rich does not mean
he is not also at risk.  His program, Problem-Solution-Change has made significant gains in enriching the lives of at-risk-youth who may have other wise
become lost to todays society.