New College of Florida Professor of Mathematics, Pat McDonald, Wins Multiple Titles at Pan Jui Jitsu Championship

Pat McDonald, professor of mathematics at New College, recently competed in the 2009 Pan Jiu Jitsu Championship in Los Angeles. McDonald won first place in the Brown Belt Senior 3 Light division and second place in the Brown Belt Senior 3 Open class. He won the semifinals and then had to forfeit the final match due to an injury.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground fighting system which evolved out of traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu.  BJJ developed under the guidance of Royce Gracie, whose victories in the early Ultimate Fighting Championships led to an increase in its popularity. McDonald trains in Sarasota with Wolfpack BJJ under head instructor Charles dos Anjos. The Pan AM games are easily the largest BJJ tournaments in existence.

McDonald, who holds a Ph.D. from MIT and is a past recipient of the Florida college-level math teacher of the year award, has been practicing BJJ for seven years and competing for six. He trains at least 4 days a week for a couple of hours and spends time teaching his six and seven year old children.  McDonald was attracted to BJJ because it involves aspects of wrestling, which he has participated in for more than 30 years. He previously won titles at North American Grappling Association (NAGA) and Copa America events, as well as other smaller tournaments.

“Teaching BJJ is easier than teaching math because there are constant examinations of mastery of fundamentals and the exam results are immediate and visceral,” said McDonald. “As a student it is very difficult to kid yourself as to where you stand.”

McDonald will go to the 2009 No-gi Pan Jiu Jitsu tournament in October in New York City. He is currently trying to secure funding to compete in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Masters and Seniors World Championship in late July in Rio and for the No-gi World Championship in February 2010. He hopes to teach a self-defense class next year, which will be open to the New College community.

For more information on International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, visit http://www.ibjjf.org/.

For more information on New College of Florida, contact Aimee Chouinard, Media Relations Coordinator, at (941) 487-4152 or [email protected].