Collegiate Times

Perry Gibson, instructor at and owner of "The One," a martial arts studio in the NRV Mall, disarms Mike Link who has studied under Gibson.

Perry Gibson knew he needed to do something after the father of Joe Librescu, his martial arts instructor, was killed in Norris Hall on April 16.

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Gibson, owner of Gibson's Martial Arts Academy in the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg, has decided to offer free self-defense classes to any student, faculty or staff member who was in a second floor classroom in Norris Hall on April 16.

"I would hope what they would get out of it is confidence and being able to walk through a classroom door again and be secure with themselves," Gibson said. "I'm sure a lot of them are still struggling with that. (I hope) they will feel free to get their education and not worry day to day that this will happen to them."

Joe Librescu, whose father Liviu Librescu was killed on April 16 when he barricaded the door to his classroom, taught Gibson what he called survival defense in War Memorial for over five years.

Though Gibson said it was slightly difficult to understand Joe Librescu's English because he had recently moved from Israel, he said Joe Librescu was "a very disciplined instructor."

"He was very much involved with the students," Gibson said. "You could tell that he had a passion toward teaching and making people learn what he had to pass on. He really stressed that training hard would also make them want more in life."

In his 18 years of being involved in martial arts, Gibson has sought further instruction and study in the art of Krav Maga. Gibson said that Krav Maga is an Israeli style of martial arts "brought through the Israeli military as their hand-to-hand combat scenarios to handle different things in the battlefield."

He explained that the art is very easy for the common person to learn, regardless of his or her size.

George Crockett, owner of Crockett Home Improvement and Crockett and Son Gun Shop, has received personal instruction in Krav Maga from Gibson for almost three years. He said participating in this class would definitely help April 16 survivors.

"If it occurs again, they can really know how to react and be able to help other people," Crockett said.

Because of his knowledge of the art, Crockett said he feels more comfortable around people and is able to calm heated situations.

Erin Sheehan, who survived on April 16 in Norris Hall by ducking under a desk, said she plans to participate in Gibson's course. Sheehan wrote a letter to the editor last month suggesting that self-defense instruction should be provided in high schools. Although she had positive things to say about the idea of Gibson's class, Sheehan continues to believe this course should be implemented on a broader spectrum.

"I think it's very generous of him, but I'd like to see a program that would expand to students who weren't in Norris that day," Sheehan said.

She said that she has received many differing reactions to her suggestion.

"A lot of people think we need a much more expensive system with metal detectors and guards all over campus, and they think there's no other effective way," Sheehan said, adding that some are advocating that students be able to carry concealed weapons on campus.

Gibson said Sheehan may be the first recipient of his new "Librescu Scholarship," which would provide $1,200 worth of any classes his academy provides.

Although the exact time is flexible, Gibson said the classes will most likely be held on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested may start immediately or wait until the summer semester. The class will strictly be for students, faculty, and staff members who survived the Norris Hall incident, so other martial arts students will not be present.

Perry welcomes anyone who was on campus during April 16 but not in Norris Hall to participate in his pre-existing self-defense class on Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.