Bill Gebhardt was a world champion martial artist and the owner and head instructor of the State College Martial Arts Academy. Sifu Gebhardt’s death on September 17, 2002 may have halted his life, but not his legacy. TITAN FITNESS has named its martial arts program after the man who inspired it.
At the age of 16, Bill started in the martial arts as part of Sifu Kevin Seaman’s private backyard group. He diligently focused and developed into a professional in the fields of martial arts and business. He was Kevin Seaman’s senior most student, and held a Full Instructor credential in both Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD and the Filipino Martial Arts under Sifu Seaman.
Sifu Gebhardt received his instructor certification in Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD, and instructor credential in Filipino Martial Arts in 1992 under Guro Dan Inosanto.
Competitively, Sifu Gebhardt fought in full-contact stick fighting matches on regional, national and international levels. He placed second in his division in full-contact stick fighting at the World Championships in January 1992, which were held at the Aquino Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines. As a competitive coach and trainer, he trained dozens of fighters in amateur Thai Boxing, boxing, Shoot Wrestling, and contact stick fighting. He acted as a guiding light for students and competitors of all ages.
Bill Gebhardt was a certified instructor in Thai Boxing under Ajarn Surachai Sirisute, President and Founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A., and served as the Pennsylvania State Representative for the TBA.
A boxing coach and instructor, Bill was certified through USA Boxing, the nation’s largest amateur governing body. In 1993, he was voted the State College Jaycee’s Outstanding Fitness Leader of 1993-1994. He was the proud father of a son, Jordan – his most prized accomplishment.