Professor Dave Rosenmarkle, 3rd Degree Black Belt, Veneration Founder

In all that he does, Professor Dave emanates his life motto: "Non Nobis Solum,” Latin for "Not for ourselves alone.” Professor Dave strives to use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to reach and inspire others to fully live out their true potential on and off the mats. Drawing from a myriad of life experiences (collegiate athlete, Iraq war veteran, entrepreneur, BJJ competitor), Professor Dave finds ways to connect with others on a personal level in order to help facilitate positive change in their lives. As such, he has founded the Veneration Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Affiliation, Veneration BJJ (Kenosha) and Milwaukee Veterans Jiu-Jitsu Support Group. Professor Dave is an IBJJF competitor, regional champion and medalist, NAGA champion and Submissao Champion (Europe). He has also coached multiple IBJJF and SBJJF champions.

Professor Jameel Massouh, Black Belt

Professor Jameel is a life-long martial artist, drawing on a multitude of training systems in his role as Veneration BJJ Kenosha’s primary adults instructor. Professor Jameel has over 20 years of wrestling experience, 20 years practicing a variety of martial art styles (kickboxing, muay thai, karate, sumo wrestling, jiu jitsu) as well as 7 years experience as a professional MMA fighter in the U.S. and Japan (WEC, Bellator, and Pancrase Veteran). Professor Jameel first started training gi jiu jitsu in 2008 while in Japan under World Champion Professor Alexander Ogawa and has been training under Professor Dave Rosenmarkle since 2017. Professor Jameel is also a life-long educator, having coached high school wrestling, coached multiple IBJJF gold medalists and now working as Dean of Students locally. Professor Jameel helps his students see their practice of BJJ as a form of personalized expression and creativity. As a coach, he strives to empower students to find their own way and develop into the best version of themselves by using BJJ to facilitate self-discovery.

Professor "Doc" Rick Matthews, Black Belt

“Doc” has trained with Veneration BJJ for nearly 15 years, earning his black belt from Professor Rosenmarkle in 2019. Before joining Veneration BJJ in 2009, Doc spent four years practicing judo. He is an IBJJF gold medalist (2022) and was a successful competitor throughout his blue and purple belt years. He has been teaching Veneration’s morning adult BJJ classes since 2013 and taught judo for the academy as well. Doc holds a Masters and Ph.D. in sociology from Western Michigan University and has been working as a Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Carthage College since 2002. Doc believes in “jiu jitsu for everyone” and works to help each student meet their specific goals, whether they are interested in self-defense, improving their overall fitness (physical and mental), or competition. In his 50’s, Doc’s goal is to continue practicing and teaching the gentle art into his 60’s and beyond.

Professor Gil Rosales, Black Belt

A former Marine, Professor Gil is a highly motivated ball of coaching fire and is Veneration BJJ’s head kids instructor. Professor Gil has trained with Veneration for years and has experience coaching youth wrestling and high school wrestling. He is extremely passionate about equipping our VBJJ kids with excellent blends of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and building character through the sport. Gil is an avid Kid's coach and active BJJ competitor who ensures every child has received top-notch BJJ instruction and character coaching. Professor Gil was awarded his Black Belt in November 2022.

Professor Kevin Fitzgibbons, Black Belt

Not many give more to our Veneration BJJ community than Professor Kevin. He has been studying jiu jitsu for many years and is a long-time Veneration gym member, training consistently in both Kenosha and Libertyville. His technical precision make him one of the toughest rolls in the gym, as well as an excellent instructor and training partner. Professor Kevin assists Professor Gil with kids classes and teaches adults class on Friday evenings. Professor Kevin was awarded his Black Belt in November 2022.

Professor Brett Bohn, Black Belt

Professor Brett has been a regular competitor since his days as a white belt. Over the years, he has perfected and expanded his BJJ game and developed a dangerous triangle choke. Professor Brett was awarded his Black Belt in November 2022. He teaches adults class Wednesdays at noon.

Coach Dave Kless, Brown Belt

Coach Dave began his jiu jitsu journey in 2003 through Mixed Martial Arts with fellow team member Professor Jameel Massouh. Dave was very successful throughout his competition years and most of his MMA wins came via submission. He discovered the gi in 2009 when he joined Veneration Kenosha and has since developed a solid gi and no-gi game. In the age of impressive/flashy jiu jitsu highlight videos, Coach Dave wants all students to see the effectiveness in the core moves and concepts of jiu jitsu. These are what we will use to win, whether it’s a self-defense situation or a grappling tournament. Coach Dave teaches no-gi adults class Thursday evenings.

Coach Seth Zeien, Purple Belt

Coach Seth started training jiu jitsu in January of 2018 and has quickly risen as an accomplished practitioner and leader in the gym at only 22 years old. Coach Seth is a lifelong athlete, having played various sports growing up: football, basketball, soccer, hockey and wrestling. He is a fierce competitor and is actively training and competing in both jiu jitsu and pankration tournaments. He is interested in becoming a police officer and hopes to own and operate his own jiu jitsu gym someday. Coach Seth’s philosophy in jiu jitsu (and in life) is to stay humble through gains and losses, knowing that challenges will inevitably arise. He says it’s important to keep moving forward and see setbacks as opportunities to grow. Coach Seth teaches no-gi adults class Tuesday evenings.

The Late Coach James (d. 2020), Purple Belt

Known as "The Big Easy" from his competitive billiards days, Coach James had a fine balance between being a laid-back and yet effective kids' coach. His demeanor, humor, and technical approach helped the kids under his guidance learn in an enjoyable environment. Coach James is missed by all.

Professor Jeremy Lee, Black Belt

Professor Jeremy began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013 in California under the direction of Rafa and Giu Mendes. He was immediately hooked and hungry for more knowledge. In 2015, he moved to Wisconsin and began training at Veneration BJJ Burlington. Under close direction of Coach Nick Riggle and Professor Dave Rosenmarkle as a 3-stripe blue belt, he opened Veneration BJJ Delavan. In December of 2020, he was awarded the rank of Black Belt. Professor Jeremy’s technical instruction and professionalism have earned Veneration Delavan the prestigious honor of being named Best Martial Art’s school in Walworth County. Professor Jeremy is also the owner of Delavan Nutrition Systems and Stupid Rash Guards.

Coach Amir DeLeon, Purple Belt - Northshore Academy of Martial Arts (Libertyville, IL)

Coach Amir has been studying martial arts since he was just 8 years old. He has extensive experience in multiple training systems, including Shotokan karate, Kali, Panatukin, Jeet Kune Do, kickboxing and jiu jitsu. He also spent time studying Seine Do karate in the Philippines. Coach Amir has been teaching for over 10 years now and has been with Northshore Academy of Martial Arts (NSA) since 2003. He teaches kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Kali and helps Professor Jameel as an assistant coach for the adult jiu jitsu classes. Coach Amir’s approach to martial arts is about learning and teaching self defense.

Professor Jason McClellan, Black Belt - Veneration Jonesboro (Jonesboro, AR)

Jason started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in October 2008 at The LC, an affiliate of Gracie Barra Arkansas, under the lineage of black belt Brian Davis. He quickly fell in love with the sport and began traveling throughout Arkansas to crosstrain and compete in tournaments. He earned his black belt in October 2021 and is currently training under black belt Dave Rosenmarkle of Veneration Jiu-Jitsu. Jason began teaching in 2018 while continuing to train and compete nationally, medalling in IBJJF, AGF, Fuji, and NAGA. He opened his own jiu-jitsu academy in 2021 in Jonesboro, AR. He is passionate about teaching and sharing his love of jiu-jitsu.

Professor Jeff Piercy, Black Belt - Capital Combat Academy (Raleigh, NC)

Professor Jeff Piercy is the owner of Capital Combat Academy. Professor Jeff's BJJ credentials include recent competition wins at 2022 New Breed Charlotte Black Belt Gi Absolute, 2021 NAGA Charlotte Black Belt Gi 190 lb weight class, 2020 US Grappling Raleigh Black Belt 175 lb weight class, 2018 Toro Cup Super Fight win (brown belt gi), three submission victories at Projitsu events in 2015 and 2016, as well as multiple gold medals at NAGA, Grapplers Quest, and US Grappling events. He has been teaching BJJ for the past 16 years for various schools in both Gi and No Gi. Professor Jeff is an accomplished amateur MMA fighter with all wins via submission, and was also a successful wrestler and collegiate football player early in his career. In addition to his distinguished martial arts background, Professor Jeff is also a well-respected and widely sought after certified personal trainer (National Personal Training Institute) and offers a level of conditioning for his athletes and clients that is unparalleled.