Ginchin Funakoshi

The Family Karate Center West program is a member of the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA). 

The ASKA headquarters is located in St. Charles, MO and has club affiliations throughout the United States.

 Its founder and Chief Instructor, Randall G. Hassell, has obtained the ranking of 8th degree black belt. Mr. Hassel  was a first-generation American to pioneer Shotokan karate and can trace his instructional roots back to the "father of modern karate" and the founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi. Mr. Hassell has taught Shotokan Karate for over 50 years and has written, edited, or contributed to 28 books on karate and more than 100 magazine articles. Mr. Hassell teaches at the Family Karate Center, located at 1193 South Duchesne Dr., St. Charles, MO  63301.

Jeannie Byrnes is a senior student and Assistant Instructor at the Family Karate Center.  She has trained with Sensei Hassell since 1994.