44 years of teaching Taekwondo since 1978
1950's, Gm. Eisenhart's father, "Lucky" Lou Eisenhart, was a Professional Wrestler with legends Dick the Bruiser, Angelo Poffo, The Sheik, Bobo Brazil, & Tiny Tim Hampton
At a 1957 match held for prisoners in the Indiana State Prison, Lou Eisenhart puts headlock on Tim Hampton.
On Friday evening, January 29th, Louis & pregnant wife, Gladys Eisenhart were attending the Professional Wrestling matches when they had to rush to Memorial (not Mercy) Hospital in St. Joe, Michigan where Darwin Eisenhart was born shortly after midnight. The birth announcement appeared later that day in the sports section of local newspaper.
Louis Eisenhart served as the Chief of Police in Stevensville, MI. In 1965, Darwin (age 5), was being tormented by a bully in school. Lou taught his son self defense skills that stopped the bully & began Darwin's Journey and career as a Martial Artist. Over the following decades, Lou would continue to teach Darwin Professional Wrestling and other self defense skills.
Lou Eisenhart's brother, Les Eisenhart, was a U.S. Marine, and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo. Throughout his childhood, Darwin learned judo from his uncle Les.
Following 11 years of self defense training - including wrestling & judo, Gm. Eisenhart began Taekwondo in 1976 at the YMCA in Benton Harbor, MI., at the age of 16. After an 8 week course, he tested and attained the Yellow Belt.
In 1978, Gm. Eisenhart earned the 1st Degree Black Belt from the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) - Great-Grandmaster Suh Chong Kang, ATA President. Master Haeng Ung Lee, ATA Vice President, Chief of Instruction.
In 1978, Gm. Eisenhart participated in the very 1st Taekwondo demonstration at the annual Berrien County Youth Fair in Berrien Springs, MI. Later that year, Chief Instructor Eisenhart opened his 1st school in Bridgman, MI.
First time competing as a Black Belt, Gm. Eisenhart won his first match with a 3-point jump-spin wheel kick to his opponent's head. In his second match, Gm. Eisenhart (in the air picture pictured above) executes the same kick, but opponent ducked.
In late 1978, Master H. U. Lee took over as ATA President. By 1979, Gm. Eisenhart earned the 2nd Degree Black Belt, pictured here with Master Lee, then 7th Degree Black Belt.
Pictured (left to right): Al Smith (4th Degree) ATA President, H.U. Lee (7th Degree), Darwin J. Eisenhart (2nd Degree), ATA Vice President, Robert S. Allemier (5th Degree).
Gm. Eisenhart graduated from Army Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, followed by AIT (Advanced Individual Training) as a Field Artillery Surveyor - serving 6 years in the Army Reserves from 1981 to 1987.
By 1981, Gm. Eisenhart had earned the 3rd Degree Black Belt, and was working for St. Joseph, MI Police Department
In 1984, Gm. Eisenhart was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt with the Universal Taekwondo Association, and opened a school in Stevensville, MI called Eagle Self Defense along with his father, "Lucky Lou" Eisenhart, who taught Professional Wrestling.
Gm. Eisenhart was a Referee at Rosemont Horizon Arena in Chicago, IL, where more than 4,000 athletes competed.
Gm. Eisenhart was a U.S.A. Coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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