Ranked Students

Gary Claxton

I've been training for 8 years, and 6 years under William. I received my brown belt in February 2005. I have a wrestling background and naturally gravitated to Jiu-jitsu as I thought it was more interesting in many ways. Unfortunately I have a neck injury which makes it very dangerous for me to train until I have surgery. I look forward to coming back and helping students in any way I can. See everyone soon........happy training!

Robby Rabadi

How long have you been rolling? since 2001

How did you come to be a Vandry student? William is the best teacher/grapplers around. I wanted an opportunity to train with a true master of his craft.

Do you teach at Vandry BJJ? Yes, I teach the Muay Thai class.

Other Martial arts you have trained? I have actively trained in JKD since 1999 under one of Dan Inasanto's most decorated instructors Ray Parra. Now under Adam Ganshirt who is Ray Parra's top student and most superb fighters.

Goals/Achievements? My goal is to become a true (earmuffs kids)B.A.M.F., haha. To enjoy my journey up the mountain and never lose sight of what is truly important in this lifetime. That and being able to hit someone hard enough to unravel some of their DNA strains, haha.

Style Preference? My style, well you can call it the art of fighting without fighting.

Favorite Quotes:

"I hated every minute of training but I said, " Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." -Muhammad Ali

"Forget about winning or losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life! Do not be concerned with you escaping safely - lay your life before him!" -Bruce Lee

User name? Robby

Emmanuel Galvan

I started rolling for over 6 years but only started to train with William Vandry 2.5 years ago.

I got my blue belt Feb. 28,2004. I got my purple belt June 6,2005

I first found out about William on an onthemat interview, in which he said that he wanted to start an association in South Texas - and well you can't get any more South than Brownsville. I was already teaching for free just wanted to work out at first. Not until a couple of blue belts from other schools told me that I was close to blue, I decided to contact William. I didn't want to contact him until I was good enough. I didn't want to get there and make a fool of myself. From then William has guided me through the rest.

I teach at Galvans Martial Arts - Brownsville Association.

I also hold a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do, and a Black Belt in Tomiki Ryu Aikido.

My goals are to get my Black Belt in BJJ under William, a Black belt in Judo, and to finish college.

I'm currently 5'10" and weight 190.

I don't like no gi - I have always preferred the gi. whether it be stand up or ground - I love the gi.

My username is littlesakuraba.

Jason Stringo

King Webb

Carter Fisk

Craig Burt

Kevin Callihan

Matt Serfoss

Bryan Evans

Bryan “Diabo” Evans Diabo (pronounced GEE-AH-BO) is my nickname given to me by my Capoeira instructor, it means devil or evil. (Funny I don’t feel evil.)

I have been a student of William’s since 1999; I had been searching for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and his studio was my last stop. Until then I was not impressed with any of the other instructors that claimed to know grappling back then. Once I saw William’s classes I was sold, and to think he was “only” a purple belt back then.

I received my purple belt from William on 3/4/2006.

I have studied several martial arts during my time. I began training at a very young age; some of the styles I have studied are Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Hapkido, American Karate, Modern Arnis, Jeet Kune Do, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have official instructor ranking in several of these arts. I must tell you that I believe my current rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most fulfilling.

I prefer the no-gi game to the gi game, but have found that practicing with the gi has sharpened my no-gi game.

Thank you William for everything!!!!

Diabo (username)

John Palmer

I first attended Vandry BJJ in 1999, but had to stop after a few months due to work. I started training again in 2001 and have kept at it ever since. I received my purple belt on March 4 2006.

A friend called me one day in 1999 and said he had found the perfect place for me to train given my wrestling background and my ne'er do well attitude (just kidding Will). My friend was right, I don't think I could find a better place to train.

I formerly taught a technique only class on Sunday afternoon. Child and work permitting, I would like to resume this class, but it will take me awhile to get my ducks in a row. 2007 anyone?

I wrestled in high school and, in a very minor fashion, college. My goal in BJJ is to get my black belt, to be a good student and someday, a good teacher. I would also like to attend more tournaments including the Pan-Ams at some point. I'm 5'10" and 175ish.

Personally I prefer the gi at this point because I'm still developing my style, but I love MMA and no-gi so it's a pretty close call.

User name: jnp

Jeremy Carbone

Zach Calvert

Darren McCarthy