News 🥋

Viola Karate Dojo in the News

Below is an ongoing partial list with hyperlinks to Allegheny Shotokan Karate, / Viola KarateTeam Kumite, and Sensei Viola in the news. *note we have not included 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, yet.  Only a few have been so far.  We hope to update soon but there are hundreds more research. Enjoy the history and archives of our dojo.

DateTitleAuthorPublication
12/8/2020Martial Arts Masters & Pioneers Biography: Chuck Norris – Giving Back For A LifetimeBowen, JesseWho’s Who in the Martial Arts
12/6/2020Bill Viola Sr., Viola Jr. to receive national karate recognitionLove, MichaelPittsburgh Tribune-Review
12/6/2020Bill Viola Sr., Viola Jr. to receive national karate recognitionLove, MichaelNewsbreak.com
11/5/2020Inspired to help others, North Huntingdon woman donates kidneyNapsha, JoePittsburgh Tribune-Review
10/5/20202020 Alumni Award Retrospective Barnhart, RyanCalifornia University
10/6/2020Vulcan Nation Alumni Awards Special Edition. Barnhart, RyanVulcan Nation
6/16/2020How Pennsylvania’s Tough Guy Contest Gave Birth to Modern Day MMAStagliano, MattSkillset Magazine
9/28/2019Allegheny County recognizes ‘Sensei’ Viola for devotion to karateBusiness NewsWhat’s Up Norwin
9/26/2019Allegheny County recognizes ‘Sensei’ Viola for devotion to karateTrombola, NickPittsburgh Post-Gazette
9/24/2019Allegheny Shotokan Karate 50 Year AnniverseryMacey, BobAllegheny County Courthouse
9/24/2019Allegheny County Council MeetingFitzgerald, RichAllegheny County Council
9/22/2019Governments, students honor North Huntingdon karate instructor Bill ViolaHuba, StephenPittsburgh Tribune Review
9/1/2019Forging A Path For Half A CenturyViola, Bill Black Belt Magazine
5/14/2019Two Pittsburgh Tough Guys Made MMA Safe for Everyone but ThemselvesBateman, OliverMEL Magazine
5/1/2019Readers ChoiceRocco, JessicaTribune-Review
2/1/2019Action Athlete: North Huntingdon kickboxing kid brings home the goldJunker, GuyWTAE
12/1/2018Alumni UpdatesPitt StaffPitt Magazine
12/1/2018Alumni HallPitt StaffPitt Magazine
11/29/2018A Lifelong JourneyPeirce, PaulNorwin Star (front page)
11/11/2018North Huntingdon 9-year-old claims international kickboxing titleHuba, StephenPittsburgh Tribune-review
11/9/2018North Huntingdon youth claims kickboxing gold medal at Pan American championshipsKadilak, KarenTrib Live
10/27/2018Viola Karate – Building Champions in LifeWilliams, ClemPittsburgh Tribune-review
10/25/2018When Rehab Goes RightLammie, NancyGuide to Good Health
10/20/2018Kicking for a CureTafe, NicoleIn Community
10/8/2018North Huntingdon men still kicking as martial arts mastersPeirce, PaulPittsburgh Tribune-review
10/6/2018Despite medial issues, extreme heat, 3rd annual PIND 5k a hitCarr, DillionTrib Live
9/4/2018Martial artists kick their way through research fundraiserPickels, MaryTrib Live
8/23/2018Boyce Park 5K event to raise funds for Parkinson’s researchCarr, DillionPittsburgh Tribune-review
8/7/2018Karate kid Gabby Viola kicks back Pickels, MaryPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
7/20/2018Allegheny Shotokan students compete at US Open World championshipsHartlep, BillPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
7/6/2018THE EARLY YEARS OF MMA WERE A ‘NO-HOLDS-BARRED FREAKSHOW’ THAT COULDN’T BE MORE DIFFERENT FROM…Bateman, OliverMEL Magazine
6/20/2018Dr. Freddie Fu Gives Karate Standout a Second ChanceViola, Bill UPMC
6/6/2018The Early Years of MMA Were a ‘No-Holds-Barred Freakshow’ Bateman, OliverMEL Magazine
4/7/2018Norwin’s Russell shows no weaknessDunlap, ShanePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
4/7/2018Whether it’s softball or karate, Norwin’s Russell shows no weaknessBeckner, BillPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
3/14/2018Perserving Tough Guys HeritageHoltschlag, HeatherIn Community
2/12/2018Karate School Helps NeedyNapsha, JoePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
2/1/2018How to Organize a Successful TournamentBorkland, HerbMAIA
2017Who’s Who in Martial Arts – Legends Edition Bowen, JesseWho’s Who in the Martial Arts
12/23/2017Team Kumite earns international titlesTrib StaffTrib Live
11/30/2017Stepping Into The Ring: A Look At MMA’s Local RootsHacke, MatthewWhirl Magazine
11/11/2017Book and Film Chronicle Brownsville Native’s Creation of New SportZuchowaki, DavePennsylvania Bridges
10/16/2017Tough Guys tops Amazon Charts as best seller MMAWilliams, ClemPittsburgh MMA
10/11/2017Tough Guys’ book an inspiring readGuth, JonathanHerald-Standard
10/9/2017Mike Murray of Colliers remembers being one of the first ‘Tough Guys’North, KimWeirton Daily Times
10/8/2017Colliers man part of ‘Tough Guys’ movieNorth, KimTimes Leader
10/4/2017Norwin student leads fundraising efforts to “Kick Parkinson’s Disease”StaffTrib Live
10/1/2017Whos Who in the Martial ArtsBowen, JesseISBN-10: 1387161539
9/21/2017A Tough Guy Looks BackHimler, JeffTrib-Norwin Star
9/15/2017Tough Guys Showtime Network Debut PremiereStaffThe Palace Theater
9/15/2017Showtime documentary proves Pittsburgh-area early mixed martial arts fighters were ‘Tough Guys’Sciullo, MariaPittsburgh Post-Gazette
9/15/2017‘Tough Guys’ documentary sheds welcome light on forgotten MMA tourney that pre-dates UFC 1Chiappetta, MikeMMAFighting.com
9/15/2017Tough Guys – AmazonViola, Bill KCE Press
9/15/2017Tough Guys-Showtime Network Debut PremiereAmazonAmazon
9/15/2017Two locals were instrumental in first MMA eventGuth, JonathanHerald-Standard
9/14/2017Mixed martial arts pioneer gets TKO in Tough Guys 1980 openerHimler, JeffPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
9/14/2017Will Zullo, Henry Roosevelt, Craig DiBiase & Jamie Crowder On Their Film, “Tough Guys”Yahoo StaffYahoo Entertainment
9/13/2017Showtime’s ‘Tough Guys’ documentary explores MMA’s early rootsStupp, DannMMA Junkie
9/13/2017MMA’s roots right back to Western PAstaffBurghline
9/12/2017Tough Guys’ trace MMA’s roots right back to Western PAHarrop, JoannePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
9/11/2017Before UFC, It was all about Tough GuysViola, Bill Pittsburgh MMA
9/10/2017“Tough Guys” Explores Grassroots fighting Precursosr to MMAGables, RickTV Weekly Now
9/8/2017Tough Guys – ShowtimeShowtimeShowtime
9/8/2017New Showtime Doc Tough Guys Explores Origin of MMATV News DeskBroadway World
9/1/2017Tough GuysStaffShowtime
8/29/2017Showtime to Air New ‘Tough Guys’ Documentary on Early Days of MMAGolightly, JustinBJPenn.com
7/24/2017Team Kumite trio claims gold at North American OpenKarpen, DrewPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
7/17/2017WAKO North American OpenCorocan, JohnMAIA
7/8/2017Tough Guys’ documentary profiles local creators of MMA Viola, CaliguriWhalen, WilliamPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
7/2/2017Allegheny Shotokan named ‘top team’ at Kumite ClassicStaffPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
6/15/2017AFI Docs is your ticket to 3 world-premiere filmsKirby-Page, KristenWashington Post
6/14/2017Morgan Spurlock producing MMA origins documentary Tough GuysBrace, SamuelFlickering Myth
6/13/2017Morgan Spurlock to Exec Produce MMA Origins Documentary ‘Tough Guys’ (EXCLUSIVE)Mcnary, DaveVaritey
6/13/2017Academy Award Nominated Morgan Spurlock Joins Academy Award Winner Ross KauffmanNew York (SPW)SHOOT
6/1/2017Wrong Place Wrong Time:  The Real Birthplace of MMAStagliano, MattSkillset Magazine
5/31/2017Photo Gallery: 18th annual Kumite Classic & Fitness ExpoTrib StaffTrib Live
5/24/2017Get pumped for annual Pittsburgh Fitness ExpoTrib StaffPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
5/12/2017AFI Doc Interviews:  Tough GuysAFIAmerican Film Institute
5/12/2017AFI Docs Line Up Includes ‘Atomic Homefront,’ ‘Saving Brinton,’ ‘Tough Guys’ PremieresJohnson, TedVaritey
5/5/2017Pittsburgh Today LiveKDKA StaffKDKA
10/19/201640 Under 40: 2016Roddy, DennisPittsburgh Magazine
8/24/2016Book Review:  Godfathers of MMAGuerry, MatthewWhirl Magazine
7/9/2016Outstanding PerformanceStaffTrib-Norwin Star
6/27/2016How Would Reebok Have Done As A Sponsor of MMA Between 1979-1983?Madden, DaveMMA Wreckage
6/15/2016Alumni NewsStaffUniversity of Pittsburgh
5/12/2016Pittsburgh-The Birthplace of Mixed Martial Arts MatchesStaffPopular Pittsburgh
5/6/2016Documentary to feature Milton’s Mixed Martial Arts forefatherLittle, AaronSanta Rosa Press Gazeette
5/6/2016Documentary to feature Milton’s Mixed Martial Arts forefatherLittle, AaronGadsen Times
5/1/2016An ‘Exponential’ Love of FitnessHoltschlag, HeatherIn Community
5/1/2016The Evolution of Karate:  2020 OlympicsViola, Bill Sport Karate Illustrated
2/25/2016Martial Art of the Month: MMABulger, JakeKung-Fu Kingdom
2/24/2016From the First Days in Pittsburgh, MMA has Become the Fastest Growing SportPro MMA StaffPro MMA Now
2/19/2016From Pittsburgh roots, MMA, UFC have grown to staggering heightsBloom, ElizabethPittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/14/2016Jacquet Bazemore / Top kickboxer, sparring partner for Muhammad AliOve, TorstenPittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/14/2016RIP Jacquet BazemoreViola, Bill MMAhistory.org
1/14/2016SFLC PODCAST EPISODE 89: BILL VIOLA SR., BILL VIOLA JR. & SERENA DEJESUSKowal, EricMY MMA News
1/1/2016Ali vs Inoki – The Forgotten Fight that Inspired MMAGross, JoshBenBella Books
9/15/2015Tough Man Contest Mike Murray Dave JonesStaffSteel Nation Magazine
9/13/2015Before MMA, Tough Guys wowed fans in A-K Valley, throughout stateSteele, JerinPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
7/30/2015Dana Double DayViola, Bill MMAhistory.org
7/11/2015Mixed Martial Arts come to MeadowsMathurin, DesireePittsburgh Post-Gazette
7/9/2015Outstanding TeamTrib StaffTrib Live
6/25/2015Godfathers of MMAViola, Bill Amazon
6/25/2015Godfather of MMA – AmazonViola, Bill Amazon
5/19/2015Pittsburgh Fitness Expo returning to MonroevilleLove, MikePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
4/14/2015Godfathers of MMA – Birth of an American SportEtheridge, PagieOsu Magazine
3/17/2015Family TraditionsJones, RachelWhirl Magazine
3/1/2015Lord of the Ring – World Champion Ali ViolaQ & ASport Karate Illustrated
2/12/2015Karate kids: Viola family keeps kicking at World GamesZuchowski, DavePittburgh Post-Gazette
2/10/2015Law student succeeds at Sport Karate World GamesCardone, JennDuquesne Duke
2/9/2015For family, martial arts ‘in the DNA’Pickels, MaryTrib Live
2/8/2015Duquesne University law student adds world martial arts titles to resumePickels, MaryPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
1/30/2015Big Muscle in Steel CityHawk, DaveMuscle & Body
1/14/2015Penn-Trafford sophomore World Karate TournamentSmith, NathanTrib Live
5/1/201415th Annual Pittsburgh Fitness ExpoStaffWestern PA Guide to Good Health
1/22/2014Mt. Pleasant author helps examine mixed martial artsPanian, A.J.Mount Plesant Journal
1/16/2014Team Kumite has ‘unprecedented’ successGulasy, DougPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
11/7/2013Godfather’s Of MMAStaffStrength Figther
11/1/2013MMA’s Forgotten ForefathersCartey, RichardFighters Only Magazine
9/18/2013Kumite Karate Klassic celebrates 10 yearsrtmadminnpcNew Pittsburgh Courier
9/13/2013CHAMPIONS GATHERNeal, BillPGH Courier
7/10/2013Martial arts workout touted as packing a punchGulasy, DougPittsburgh Tribune-Review
5/22/2013Kumite Classic Kicks it up a NotchSchrecengost, DavePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
4/20/2013Former Steelers wide receiver Ward honors local high school athletesPrice, KarenPittsburgh Tribune-Review
1/25/2013Leader earns top karate honorAdamski, ChrisPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
10/24/2012The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was SuperNash, JohnSB Nation
10/1/2012Hines Ward ShowWard, HinesWPXI
8/23/2012Battle of Superfighters (Tough Guys the Real Beginings of MMA in AmericaCartey, RichardFighters Only
5/30/2012Fitness and martial-arts enthusiasts pack Convention Center for Kumite ClassicLove, MichaelTrib Live
5/29/20122012 Kumite Classic with Antonio BrownTrib StaffTrib Live
5/23/2012The Martial Chronicles: Before Fighting Was Ultimate It Was SuperNash, JohnBloody Elbow
5/9/2012Norwin’s Leader, Kemp pull down Positive Athlete AwardsTrib StaffTrib Live
4/29/2012Norwin junior seeks karate championshipHarvath, LesPittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/21/201226 Honored At Western Pa. Positive Athlete AwardsKDKA StaffKDKA
3/1/20122012 Positive AthletesWard, HinesPositive Athlete
1/1/2012Exhibit Must-SeesMadarasz, AnnWestern PA Sports Museum
12/4/2011Cal U MilestonesCalifornia UniversityCal U Review
12/20/2011Pioneers of MMAMadarasz, AnnHeinz History Center
12/5/2011Viola Honored for role with early MMAGrubba, MattTrib Live
12/1/2011Pittsburgh MVPStaffChampions Association
10/1/2011Tough GuysMadarasz, AnnWestern Pennsylvania History: Fall 2011, 8-9
10/1/2011New Sports Museum Display Explores Local Roots of Mixed Martial ArtsMadarasz, AnnSenator John Heinz History Center Newsletter
10/1/2011Local karate students compete in OhioTrib staffNorwin Star
7/4/2011Viola Honored As Mixed Martial Arts InnovatorSanta, JohnPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
6/24/2011MMA roots were planted in New KensingtonWerner, SamPittsburgh Post-Gazette
6/23/2011Caliguri and Viola history honoredKogut, PaulTrib Live
6/22/2011UFC makes long-waited Pittsburgh debutStefano, DanPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
1/14/2011Norwin junior claims a sport karate world titleTrib StaffTrib Live
1/6/2011Karate coach Bill Viola recognized by peersHartlep, BillTrib Live
12/29/2010Christmas KumiteTrib StaffNorwin Star
8/24/2010The Zuffa Myth and UFC auteur theoryRossen, JakeESPN
5/27/2010MMA Trailblazers to be honored at Caged KumiteHartlep, BillTrib-Norwin Star
5/25/2009Kumite Karate Klassic celebrates 10 yearsNeal, BillNew Pittsburgh Courier
3/26/2009Viola’s Bring MMA Back to PittsburghHartlep, BillPittsburgh Tribune-Review 
1/15/2009Illness doesn’t deter karate championDudurich, MikePittsburgh Tribune-Review 
12/26/20071997 Sports ChampionsNGB ReportsSlam sports
5/15/2007Festival puts emphasis on physical fitnessKelly, JackPittsburgh Post-Gazette
5/25/2005North Huntingdon Twp. Promoter heads Pittsburgh Sports and Fitness FestivalCloonan, PatrickDaily News
6/13/2002Karate instructor passionate about foundationDopirak, DustinPittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/22/2001Viola poised to provide karate scholarships to youthHunger, BrianPittsburgh Tribune-Review
11/4/2000North Huntingdon Township man hopes to hit it big in Tinsel TownWertz, MarjoriePittsburgh Tribune-Review
11/1/2000Former Karate Champion Makes Transition to Music VideoSchofield, MelissaPittburgh Post-Gazette
8/15/1999Karate duo’s dreams crash before nationals Iovino, JimPittsburgh Tribune-Review
8/9/1999U.S. Karate Team Caputres Gold in KumiteStaffUSOC Press
3/4/1998Fivesome May Kick its Way to TitleMacGregor, AdamPittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/23/1997Schwarzenegger Selects Irwin Karate School for FestivalRobertson, ScottPittsburgh Post-Gazette
4/1/1993Laurel State ChampionsStaffStandard Observer
5/5/1987Norwin’s Karate Kid is Making Mark in WorldHaky, MikeDaily News
4/9/1987Norwin Student Gets a Kick from KarateOve, TorstenPittsburgh Press
4/5/1987Karate Kid Alive and Well in North HuntingdonJunker, GuyWTAE