prof. ron rosenberg, academy owner & head instructor

     Steve was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) while watching the first UFC fights in the early 1990s.  He saw the effectiveness of a smaller fighter (Royce Gracie) using leverage and technique to defeat much larger opponents.  Shocked by the effectiveness of BJJ, Steve knew he needed to find a place to learn this martial art.  At the age of 18, Steve started some training at a very small school that was run by a BJJ Blue Belt.  At that time BJJ was not as popular as it is today and there were not many ranking students on the East Coast.  Four years later in 1999, shortly after he was hired as a police officer, he began serious training under a local RCJ Machado BJJ affiliate.  

     In 2000, his school became the Renzo Gracie PA Academy.  Steve trained 4 to 5 days a week for many years, and in October of 2001, he was awarded his Blue Belt by Renzo at Renzo's academy in New York City.  Shortly thereafter, Steve started to teach beginner classes at the Renzo Gracie PA Academy.  In 2005, Steve was awarded his Purple Belt by Renzo. 

     In 2009, Steve  was introduced to De La Riva 3rd Degree (Now 5th Degree) Black Belt Vicente Junior (better known as VJ).  Steve traveled to Delaware to train with VJ 2 to 3 days per week.  In 2010, VJ awarded Steve his BJJ Brown Belt and Steve opened up the Vicente Junior PA Academy in Gilbertsville, PA.  For nearly a decade, Steve taught students from all over the region, including dozens of law enforcement officers.  Over the years, he also had many guest instructors at his academy, including friends from Brazil who were willing to come share their knowledge.  Eventually Steve closed his school in late 2019.  

     In 2012, while training with the VJ Jiu-Jitsu Team in Maceió, Brazil, Steve was awarded his BJJ Black Belt by VJ in front of a large crowd of over 200 BJJ practitioners.  Steve’s Black Belt promotion can be seen on YouTube by clicking here.  Steve is now a 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt under Vicente Junior, and has the honor and distinction of being Vicente's very first American Black Belt.

     In 2013, Steve attended the prestigious FBI National Academy (253rd Session) and lived in Quantico, Virginia for 10 weeks.  During his time in Quantico, he taught BJJ to other FBINA classmates from all over the world.  Over the course of his law enforcement career, Steve taught BJJ to police officers from all over southeastern PA.  He has served as a field training officer, patrol corporal, investigator, administrative sergeant, bike patrol officer, special county detective with the drug task force, DUI task force officer, and motor carrier enforcement officer.  In 2021, Steve retired after 22 years of police service. 

     Steve's focus has always been on the self-defense and fighting foundation of "old school" Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He incorporates the practical aspects of other fighting arts into his Jiu-Jitsu teaching, including judo, karate, wrestling, and boxing.  

     Since he began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over two decades ago, it has become a huge part of his life.  He is starting to pass his knowledge on to his children and is excited for the opportunity to train and teach at Justice Jiu-Jitsu with his long-time friend Ron Rosenberg. 

STEVE'S BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU LINEAGE

BLUE BELT (New York, NY - Oct. 2001) Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Helio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Carlos Gracie, Jr. → Renzo Gracie → Stephen Rinker

PURPLE BELT (Hatfield, PA - Nov. 2005) Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Helio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Carlos Gracie, Jr. → Renzo Gracie → Stephen Rinker

BROWN BELT (Claymont, DE - May 2010) Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Carlson Gracie → Ricardo de la Riva → Vicente Junior → Stephen Rinker

BLACK BELT (Maceió, Brasil - Oct. 2012) Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Carlson Gracie → Ricardo de la Riva → Vicente Junior → Stephen Rinker

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When he's not working, teaching, or training, Steve loves to spend time with his wife, kids, and family.  He enjoys reading, woodworking, home improvement, gardening, fishing, astronomy, history, and anything involving nature and the outdoors.  Steve is a huge animal lover.  He takes yearly trips to Grand Cayman, where he owns a timeshare and loves to snorkel.  Steve has been growing bonsai trees for the past 35 years, and he is working on starting a YouTube channel where he shares his various hobbies and interests - especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  

To check out and subscribe to Steve’s YouTube Channel, click here.