About Defend University and the New York Campus
Defend University is an international research and development organization dedicated to the exploration of leading edge techniques and strategies for self-defense, security and defensive tactics. The motto of Defend University is "Victory Through Intelligence and Strength" with the mission of discovering, developing and disseminating information on truly effective methods of self-defense for the citizen, the police officer and women of all ages. The emphasis of the group is on exploring methods which are not style specific and offer the best chances for success by the user whether in the performance of professional duties or as a private citizen concerned with personal protection. The symbol of Defend University is a griffin, a mythical beast with the fore end of an eagle and a hind end of a lion. In medieval times, the griffin was said to possess the qualities of intelligence and strength.
Defend University maintains three physical campus locations. In addition to the New York Campus, we have locations in Phoenix, Arizona and Dublin, Ireland. Our dedicated staff includes police officers, experts in women's and children's safety, law enforcement trainers and experienced martial artists.
Steve Kardian
East Coast Lead Instructor
The New York Campus of Defend University is administered by veteran police sergeant Steve Kardian. A 25 year veteran of the Mount Pleasant, NY Police Department, Steve brings to the table real world experience that few other instructors can provide. Sgt. Kardian has been teaching self-defense to police officers since 1980 when he was hired by the Connecticut municipal Police Academy in Meriden, CT, to teach part time police officers from across the State. Since then he has taught International, federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers on the East and West coast of the United States. His students have included members of the FBI, DEA, US Treasury Department, NY State Police and the Israeli state security service. Steve is a certified New York State/FBI defensive tactics instructor. He also holds State certification as a general topics instructor, Taser instruct or, chemical weapons and pepper spray instructor, use of force instructor, baton instructor and a radar/laser instructor. Steve is the founder of the Less Than Lethal program which teaches tactics and ground control for law enforcement. He is currently working on a committee with the Office of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice, for the State of New York to evaluate and submit changes in the way recruits and Defensive Tactics Instructors across the State of New York are trained and taught.
In addition to his police experience, Steve has an extensive background in a number of martial arts. He has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1994, and is a certified Gracie/BJJ instructor under Phil Migliarese, one of Relson Gracie's top students. Steve is also a certified Combat Submission Instructor under world shoot fighting champion and JKD instructor Erik Paulson. In addition to Jiu-Jitsu, Steve has experience in a number of other fighting arts, including karate, boxing, Muay Thai, JKD, Win Chun and wrestling. .
Steve has been recognized for his expertise by a number of publications, including Sports Illustrated and Men's Journal. He has also been featured on popular television programs including Inside Edition, CBS, NBC and News 12 Westchester. Steve is always eager to hear questions and comments from potential and existing students. He can be reached by via the contact information on the contact us page of this website.
Marty McDonald
Marty McDonald, B.A, M.S., has been teaching Physical Education at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY since 1993. Besides teaching Physical Education, Community CPR classes,and coaching, Marty has been teaching Self Defense at Horace Greeley High School since 1998, using a curriculum which in part, he researched and developed on his own. Marty has developed into a leading advocate for violence prevention for children of all ages. In 2003, Mr. McDonald was honored by the Westchester Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect for his Outstanding School Based Prevention Program and has appeared on national television as a Child Safety Expert. He has given numerous presentations at school districts throughout Westchester and Dutchess counties in N.Y. on safety for Women and Children and Child Abduction & Molestation Prevention. Marty will be speaking at the New York State AHPERD ( Association for Health,Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ) conference in Buffalo in November 2004. He is currently under the private instruction of Steve Kardian, the East Coast representative of Rape Escape.
Kristen Andersen
Kristen Andersen has studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling martial art, for a year and a half under the instruction of Steve Kardian at his Westchester County, NY academy. While at Steve’s school, Kristen was introduced to the Rape Escape program and has been actively involved ever since.
Kristen recently became certified as a Rape Escape instructor and looks forward to bringing this program to local women. She currently attends classes at a local community college and plans to host a series of workshops open to all female students. “What impresses me most about the Rape Escape program is twofold: the fact that a smaller person can successfully defend herself against a larger attacker, while utilizing techniques which are easy to learn and even easier to remember.
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