History of Master Berry’s ATA Martial Arts of the Woodlands/Spring
Formerly known as ATA Black Belt Academy & Karate for Kids
The history of ATA Martial Arts has to start with some of the history of the founder, David Berry. Master Berry served in the U.S.A.F. from 1981 through 1985, during which time he started his taekwondo training. It was May of 1982 when Master Berry started his Taekwondo training in Tucson, Arizona. He trained in Tucson for only eight months and then was transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas. Master Berry then met his permanent and current instructor Mr. Jim Wolff. Master Berry earned his black belt in April 1984.
During Master Berry’s training he learned that there was no ATA School in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. Master Berry attended his first week long instructor camp in 1985. During the camp Master Berry asked the president and founder Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee if he could have permission to bring the ATA to his hometown. Grand Master Lee had his reservations about letting someone only 22 years old open a new city for the American Taekwondo Association. Grand Master Lee observed Master Berry at camp and decided to allow him carry on his legacy of having ATA schools through the United States and all over the world. Master Berry after being honorably discharged from the Air Force moved back home to Las Vegas in October of 1985. AJ’s Nautilus Fever was where ATA Las Vegas Schools began.
Master Berry would try to accommodate his students around the new nautilus machines and aerobic schedules. One day, without any notice, Master Berry was told that he could no longer teach at this facility.
With no notice and in a desperate situation, a new training facility had to be found fast. The date was in May of 1986 and Master Berry had acquired forty students with no place to teach them. In a matter of days a very small studio of only 1200 sq ft was discovered. The studio was so small, “I remember teaching students on a floor so small that in order to do the training students would have to start and stop due to lack of space”. There was no office and no changing rooms. All they had was one bathroom and a room with used carpet and no mirrors!” After only six months Master. Berry had well over one hundred students and was busting at the seams. It was time, once again to expand.
Master Berry was well on his way during this time and it was through David Bowe, Master Leland Brandon (Master Berry’s first Master Instructor June 2007) and literally hundreds of instructors that the Greater Las Vegas area was developed into what it is today with over 22 locations and over 3,000 active students. It was because of Master Berry’s vision that Las Vegas ATA has more schools per capita than any other city in the nation. Master Berry has been named the father of ATA Las Vegas.
One of Master Berry’s greatest accomplishments was the building of his Mega Martial Art Facility. This 6,000 square feet Martial Art School was the largest studio in the state. This studio still remains at 3270 N. Buffalo Drive in Las Vegas and has many of Master Berry’s original students teaching and changing lives.
After having their first child Master Berry decided that he wanted to raise his daughter in a different city. He found the Woodlands, Texas and fell in love with the area. Master Berry sold the building and the school and relocated to The Woodlands/Spring area in October 2006.
On November 13, 2006 Master Berry opened his newest state of the art Martial Art School at Cochrans Crossing in The Woodlands, Texas. Master Berry partnered with the South Montgomery County YMCA and all area schools to become the premier Martial Art School in The Woodlands. In less than one year Master Berry built his studio to over 150 active students. Master Berry consistently trains kids to become leaders not followers and how to believe in themselves at this awesome academy.
On July 1, 2007 one year ahead of schedule Master Berry opened his second school at the corner FM 2920 and Kuykendahl. Again positioning themselves as the number one martial art school in the area. In six weeks time they had already accumulated over 50 students and continue to teach life skills, child safety, and how to believe in yourself at this location as well.
Master Berry is a graduate from Chaparral High School in Las Vegas (1981)
Master Berry played football for Chaparral High School all four years and lettered in Junior Year
Graduated in Associate in Business through the USAF Community College
Licensed Commercial Real Estate Agent since 2000
