Quarter Staff Instructor:

Jack Sullivan

It is my pleasure to introduce to you Jack Sullivan, an esteemed instructor in the art of quarterstaff. Jack has dedicated over 25 years of his life to studying stick arts and pole weaponry, and has gained a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner in the field.

In 1999, Jack founded the Modern Shillelagh Project, where he explored the use of shillelagh as a practical weapon through vigorous full contact experimentation. This led to the development of a highly sophisticated and competent form that is still revered by many today.

In 2013, Jack shifted his focus to the quarterstaff as the Proto weapon, recognizing its foundational importance to all handheld weapons. His dedication to the art paid off when he won the prestigious Bushido Open in the open stick category, taking home a gold medal at an age when most would have retired.

Despite his achievements, Jack remains committed to a philosophical approach to learning and is a perfectionist when it comes to form and technique. Even in his 60s, he is still a competent stick fighter and competes with combatants half his age every week.

In 2004, Jack founded the Magpie Monastery, a studio that focused on the discipline of stick and staff fighting. The name of the studio was inspired by the magpies that rule the neighborhood in the heart of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the studio is located. At the Magpie Monastery, any technique is fair game, and Jack liberally borrows from any style whatsoever to further enrich his practice.

It is an honor to have Jack Sullivan as an instructor in the art of quarterstaff, and we are grateful for his unwavering dedication and contribution to the martial arts community.