JMJC ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE

Burnt Hills, NY -

The Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) is proud to announce that on December 15, 2010 a signing ceremony was conducted at the JMJC's Glenville headquarters formalizing a working agreement between the State University of New York's Empire State College (ESG) and the JMJC. This agreement ushers in a new chapter for the JMJC and meets a basic need for the US judo athlete who wishes to train in earnest for international competition and not forsake their academic goals.

JMJC athletes will now be able to design and matriculate in customized study programs geared towards their individual pursuits and in the direction of an accredited SUNY (State University of New York) diploma through Empire State College.

The agreement culminates a diligent getting-to-know-each-other year between these two Capital District institutions. The Program was designed by admissions personnel at Empire State College, Jason Morris and the JMJC's Ray Conte, a lifelong judo practitioner and sensei who is a proud graduate of Empire State College. Ray Conte will be serving as an academic counselor and liaison for JMJC athletes looking to realize academic goals without sacrificing their athletic dreams.

The Program's groundbreaking highlights include:

• The ability for out-of-state athletes to train at the JMJC and enjoy the benefits of New York state resident tuition.

• Ease of portability of credits from other accredited colleges and universities both inside and outside New York state, preferential transfer opportunities to other SUNY schools.

• Life experience credits granted for work and other accomplishments, all-year, web-based course curriculum available for a variety of courses, and full use of the modern Empire State College campus in Saratoga Springs and throughout the Capital District.
  

"We couldn't be prouder of this joint venture with Empire State College. It fills a need we have been determined to address for much of our 10-year history," crowed Jason Morris.

Jason summarized, "We are now prepared to address our students' life's ambitions and attract and retain young judo players who want to keep their educational goals intact as they surrender to the rigors and grind of elite judo training. We finally have a method for our students to move forward academically with flexibility both in terms of time management and finances. We can't wait for our first enrolled students this spring and, soon thereafter, to celebrate the first JMJC graduates of Empire State College!"