Black Eagle Martial Arts Chief Master David Carr 519 Hwy 19 S Meridian, MS 39301-4614 (601) 693-2316 www.blackeagle.org

Rodge Hodgins was born on July 10, 1963, in Meridian, Mississippi.  At an early age, he was introduced to the martial arts by his older brother.  His parent’s would not allow him to take martial arts because they felt that he was too young.  In 1986 Rodge met Mr. David Carr in Honduras on a mission trip.  After working with Mr. Carr for a week, and spending the nights talking about martial arts, Mr. Carr convinced Rodge to involve himself in the study and practice.

He began his training at the Black Eagle Karate Dojang in Meridian, then under the direction of Mr. Rowdy Yates.  He remembers going to class and not ever knowing what to expect.  Some classes were geared toward endurance while others concentrated on techniques.  He can still remember Mr. Carr laughing at him because he could only do five push-ups and ten sit-ups at first.

It was a horrible blow to Rodge and the other students when on February 11, 1987, their instructor, Mr. Yates, suddenly died in a gun accident.  Rodge knew it had to be hard for Mr. Carr to continue teaching the students at Black Eagle Karate.

In 1992 Rodge went to Dr. He-Young Kimm’s seminar in Jackson, Mississippi.  It was an uplifting event for the entire school.  He trusted Mr. Carr’s decision to pursue the study of Han Mu Do directly under Grandmaster Dr. Kimm.  In 1994 Rodge earned his 1st Dan Black Belt in Han Mu Do.  Training with other students, Rodge quickly formed a bond of friendship, which continues to grow to this day.  Currently, he is employed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation and is a part-time youth minister at Central Baptist Church.  He continues to learn through teaching children’s classes at Black Eagle Martial Arts under the direction of Master David Carr.