July 20, 2025
Hello Masters and Friends,
CMs Kohl, Candreva, Barnum, Roy, Whitehead, Raimondi
AND
GM Nominees Mark Sustaire, Cheryl Brice, Fernando Jaime
In just a few short days, each of you will go through an amazing event that will mark a great accomplishment in your life. I know how exciting this is and want you to know how proud I am to call all of you, friend.
First, let me comment to my 9th degree friends……
(classic ATA patch)
Chief Master Sustaire, although we did not train closely together, I nevertheless watched you grow as a black belt, as a leader, and as a school owner. And what an impressive performance it has been. You personally have been recognized as WORLD CHAMP several times, but the great accomplishment is your leadership. Your school itself has been awarded most competitive school. That is a real success in Songahm Taekwondo.
Your black belts number in the hundreds—I’m guessing you have more than 1000 by now—and each of them is a martial arts success. And while doing all of this you and your wonderful partner, Barbara, a Master in her own right, raised a family, maintained a household, and created a lasting marriage. I know how great an accomplishment this is. You and “the Mrs” are to be sincerely congratulated for setting a great example. You already are a grand master!
(GM Cheryl Brice, 2024)
CM Cheryl Brice, for as long as I can remember, I saw you at every camp, every tournament, every seminar. You were always there. No greater example of enthusiasm can be found in the ATA. You did it all and set an amazing example as a fierce competitor as well, winning multiple World Championships.
I respect that spirit in a black belt and I rarely see it. And all the while, you have been a mother, a teacher, a business person, a leader of others, someone who guides people to being better, for 40 years. And that is why you already are a grand master.
(CM Babin + GM Jaime 2025)
We sat together at EGMs funeral—25 years ago—and although we had little to say to each other on that day, I got to know you as spiritual person, capable of great care. And, as I could have predicted, all those cocky characters are gone but Fernando Jaime is still here. And like CM Sustaire and CM Brice, you as well have not only built a successful business for 40 years, you have also raised children, maintained a household, and built a successful marriage. Those are great accomplishments in addition to being a 9th degree. And all of that is why you are a great grand master.
(EGM + CM Babin, 1983, Ferncliff Camp)
And now, a few words to my fellow 8th degree Chief Masters, Whitehead, Candreva, Roy, Barnum, Raimondi, Kohl
CM Raimondi: an example of persistence, of loyalty, of success, and of martial skill. Of all the masters listed here, I have been most distant from you. Not on purpose, but that has just been the circumstances handed to us. Nevertheless, I have followed you with admiration. I envy your skill with gumdo and your experience in Jeet Kun Do.
You are a truly well-rounded martial artist. And your commitment to ATA shows your loyalty as well. Any one of these qualities is rare to find in one person, and yet you embody them all. I am proud to see you become a 9th degree.
(CM Babin, EGM, Mr Rex Veeder, 1991)
CM Barnum, from the early days of trying to navigate a canoe with you on some shallow river in Mount Ida, I have watched you grow as a person, as a black belt, and most of all, as a leader. Since 1983, you have been a teacher and a school owner and a competitor. Your example will for many years encourage others to become black belt leaders and masters despite the difficulties and hardships that journey presents.
And you did that while raising your children, building a business, and creating a marriage. We both raised our own children in Taekwondo, and as testimony to your leadership, your children have gone on to become black belts, winners, and leaders in their own right. No accomplishment can be greater. I look forward to seeing my “canoe mate” become a 9th degree.
CM Candreva: You and I created black belt memories at Camp Ferncliff. More than anyone else, you and CM Kohl were my “Ferncliff Friends.” I thank you for listening to me drone on about the difficulties of school ownership or how I could not do one more knuckle pushup, all while trying to sleep in those bug-infested WWII cabins. And I also complained about being tested on those stupid charts, for the umpteenth time.
And I’m sure you remember helping Steve Westbrook prepare for those tests, and sometimes playing jokes on him about the answers. The irony is that not only did we become martial artists there, but we also became friends, good enough friends to drink too much beer at Hooters one night, years later. Pause and reflect as you enjoy these final steps to 9th degree.
(1st anniversary of CM Babin and Mrs Babin’s academy, 1982)
CM Whitehead, my nemesis, and friend. Can you put those together? Perhaps not—certainly not in a “superhero” movie from the Marvel Universe. But in the brotherhood of masters, I think it is an experience to be pursued, and that is how I feel about you. If we had not competed, I would not have pursued excellence at the age of 70. But you brought out the best in me.
(CM Babin wins silver medal 2023.. and who gets gold medal???)
Our recent competitions in the Master’s division have been so much fun. I have always felt that competition makes the black belt. And you have set the example for all others to follow as competitors. I thank you for bringing out the best in me and for pushing me into the Tournament of Champions. You are a 9th degree in my mind!
(EGM + CM Babin, 1998)
CM Roy, although we never competed, we have trained together for many years. Like my other “master friends,” I got very accustomed to seeing you at every event, every tournament, every seminar, every camp. Your easy-going personality drew me in and we spent many hours talking about life in ATA and in business. I believe Taekwondo is all about spirit, and your spirit of humility and connection, as well as your martial skills, are what have already made you a 9th degree. I visited Boston recently for a family wedding and there you were, giving me a custom tour of your home town. It was so much fun and such a kind gesture. And THERE is another reason you have already become a 9th degree: kindness.
(1st class, 1998, Babin, Niblock, Morris, EGM, Longoria, Olford, Kohl)
CM Kohl…. Where do I begin. We have been close black belt brothers for 40 years. When I think of the tortures of instructor camps in the 1980s at Camp Ferncliff, I think of you. I now realize that I survived because of you and that I kept coming back because of you! There is great truth to be found in sweating together, hurting together, bleeding together, and hoping together. … hoping for camp to end!!!!! And we did each one of those again and again. The camps were amazing, but Masters Training in 1998 was incredible.
(CM Babin + CM Kohl, 2023)
It was so special to be there with just five other black belts, training with Master Allemier, Master Clark, and EGM. And then when EGM got called to Washington suddenly to attend a state dinner with President Bill Clinton and could no longer lead us, I felt supremely special. My instructor is at the White House having dinner with the President!!!!! Everything about our time together has been special. And although I did swoop in and steal first place from you by just one point in 1992, you, my friend, have gotten the ”last laugh” as you will become 9th degree this summer. I hope for many more years of black belt experience together.
P.S.
Hello All,
Right now, I’m headed to Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, so you won’t be seeing me till next Saturday at the licensee party. I really had the strongest intentions to be there with you for all of your special moments this week. But the universe just does not intend for me to have much of a part in ATA any longer and it is time for me to settle down, let go of certain goals, and move on with my life.
(CM Babin + Mrs Babin + EGM, 1983)
Nine months ago, Jocelyn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It has been a rough and tumble ride with six chemo treatments and one major abdominal surgery. She has been more than a trooper. She has been a black belt through and through, keeping a positive attitude and lifting the spirits of all around her. Medically, she has done really well with the treatments and two weeks ago, her oncologist surprised us with a real gift:
She has been invited to join a clinical trial to develop a vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer. Can you imagine, in the future, you might be able to just get a shot to stop this dreaded disease!!!!
(Jocelyn wearing the trademark of many cancer patients, but New Orleans style, of course!)
To get started, however, she has to go to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for the initial procedures. After that, she will receive shots for 24 months, and after that they will observe her closely for 5 more years. And Mayo pays for it all. It is a very special gift.
Regardless of my absence this week, I really want to celebrate with you, and so I have written this tribute to each of you. I will try to get it published on ATA social media, but feel free to forward it to anyone who will understand my words.
Especially try to reach CM Barnum and CM Sustaire. I do not have an email for them and I am not sure I have the right email for CM Raimondi.
I love you all very much, and my life has been so enriched by walking the ATA road with YOU by my side. Sweat, blood, fatigue, disappointment…. but more than all that…. tears of joy and success. I am proud to call you friend and humbled to be in the black belt brotherhood / sisterhood with you.
Peace and love.
Bill Babin
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Denise Phelan-Propst On July 23, 2025 at 1:38 pm
As usual you are an inspiration to all. I am saddened to her about Mrs. Babin, but it comes as no surprise she met with the strength, dignity and grace everyone who knows her would expect. Best wishes and much love to you both! Denise and Trevor Phelan-Propst