Grandmaster Lacey commented, “Shane has done more for Choy Lay Fut in a relatively short period of time than anyone I can think of. I personally feel that Shane has earned the title of ‘Sixth Black Panther of Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut’. He is the only one to hold the ‘Four Star International Kung Fu Grand Champion’ title four times in a row, until I advised him to retire in 1997. He has defended my honor and our Kwoon and brought glory to the Choy Lay Fut system. He has confronted all those who have betrayed me and tried to dishonor my name and integrity.”  

 Unfortunately, there is more jealousy and rivalry in the Martial Arts than in most other sports and this will continue to exist. “Why is it that those disgruntled back stabbers who talk shit behind our back are saying our Kwoon is ‘Chop Suey’, etc. In that case, if they are so good, why don’t they produce the same ‘Four Star International Grand Champion’ record as we do? Grandmaster Lacey finished his comment on the detractors of his Kwoon and teachings with a terse “I think they are all full of shit!”  

There have been quite a few walk-in ‘Gong Sau’ challenges that were handled by Shane and some of the students of Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut in Newark and Fremont , California . These have occurred over the past twelve years or so, (1989-2000) but Sifu Lacey is reluctant to talk about most of them. This is primarily because he does not wish to embarrass the losers any further. Secondly, there is a particular rival group that will try and use this information to discredit his Kwoon in the hope to have it closed down-they have tried before and failed miserably!

The following ‘Gong Sau’ match is in regards to an incident in 1989 and a reply follows by Grandmaster Lacey to an email he received several weeks ago. (November 15, 2001). The email follows below.......

Upon returning we met Sifu Lacey (the father) and Sifu Lacey (Shane) and we got along fine.  I explained that I was from some school that was on Fremont Boulevard at the time (my mother had bought me 2 weeks of lessons from them) and that I was looking for something different.  I then made the mistake of asking if I could spar one of the students there.  (I know now that this was offensive, but at 17 ,or however old I was, I didn't realize this). Shane very politely said that he would spar with me instead.  I asked if they were sure this was ok, and they said it was no trouble at all.  They proceeded to let me use some pads and everything and we got ready.  

Shane proceeded to get into a Muy Thai stance and it was clear that he was just messing around.  He let me come in and strike (which I didn't do because in my youth I thought it was like a game).  After messing around a bit he came at me with a couple kicks and then lunged at me and started screaming.  Please recognize that I was a stupid American with two weeks of generic 'Kang's Kung Fu'  training who thought that this was a friendly sparring match.  He proceeded to try and attack my mid-section with knees in classic Muy Thai style while screaming at me about how I had offended his school.  I managed to defend my ribs but he got my thigh so good one time that I could barely ride my bike home :-).  In short, he scared the hell out of me. 

I was completely confused as to why he was mad at me.  He was so mad that his students had to pull him off of me.  The students then explained to me that it was extremely offensive for me to accept a sparring match with him.  I was very sorry and I apologized to Shane (on my knee to prove that I was sincere) and everything was cool.  Things got much worse days later when I told my friend Sung (Korean) in one of my high school classes that Shane was a bad ass and that he could do this kick and that kick (I was a kid, you understand).  Sung then got all upset I guess and he said he wanted to come to the school with me.  He then took me to his house (I didn't have a car) and then to the school.  The mistake HE made, (and I made for letting him), is that he came with his gi, (he was Korean so I imagine he knew Tae Kwon Do).  So, now instead of one incident there was another as well.  

When we walked into the school Shane was instantly upset and began preparing for a fight.  (In hindsight this is quite obvious...Sung came in his gi so it was natural to assume that he wanted to fight). The problem was this; I told Sung because I was very impressed with the school, not because of being mad.  Sung got upset and came at it from the point of view of a 'protector' of his American friend or something.  So he shows up thinking he is going to intimidate someone into apologizing for what happened, or whatever he thought.  My naive self wasn't forceful enough about telling him not to go.  I did tell him not to but he insisted.  Anyway, when he got there and Shane started warming up I think he knew that it was serious (he was just a high school kid too) and he decided not to fight.  This upset Shane greatly and I think he kicked him or something; I can't remember.  

I ran out of the place (a moment of true cowardice) and came back later to make sure Sung was ok.  Everything ended up fine when I got back; Sung was going to take lessons there and everything was ok.  I called later to talk to Sifu Vince Lacey to make sure everything was straight between us and he assured me that everything was.  That was the last time I have ever spoken to anyone there.
 
It has been over 10 years now and I am not happy with the way that I conducted myself.  I know I was young, but I want to make it right.  If at all possible I would love to get the email address or phone number of either Sifu Vance Lacey or Sifu Shane Lacey, or both.  I simply have to talk to them to explain myself and set things straight.  I would appreciate it greatly if I could do so.
 
Thank you very much,
 
Daniel R. Miessler

The incident you’re referring to was back in 1989 at our first Kwoon (school) on Cedar Boulevard , Newark , California on a Saturday afternoon.  I know you and your friends were young and arrogant back in those days and since you don’t know anything about ethics, customs, or formalities in the martial arts code- I would like to enlighten you.  

First, when you visit a martial arts school you must first show utmost respect and use common etiquette when approaching the master. Then, when you meet with the master you must address him by his title, Master, Sifu, Sensei, etc., and bow or salute in respect.  

Secondly, you must not touch anything, especially weapons, punching/kicking bags, wooden dummies, etc., as this will be considered a sign of challenge (by showing you know something or maybe you are better than he is). When you enter someone’s Kwoon (school), it is private property until you become a member. How would you like it if you let some salesman in your house to demonstrate some appliance, or whatever, and he starts to sit down and put his feet on your coffee-table? Or how about going around your house, touching everything in sight and helping himself to your fridge, turning on your TV, etc.  

Thirdly, you do not question the master about his credentials, who his teacher was, where did he learn, how many years has he been training, etc. This is most disrespectful.  

As to credentials, I tell them this, “When you go to into a restaurant, do you ask to see the chef first and ask for his credentials, and how many years experience he has before you order your meal?” “When you visit your doctor or your dentist or before the surgeon operates on you do you ask them for their credentials!?” Like you, most people are ignorant of the protocols and have a lack of common sense, and this can be very offensive. Let me put it in another way, and it may sound crude.  If you visit the Mustang or Chicken ranch in Nevada , do you ask all the working girls for their credentials? Do you say, “Excuse me ladies, but before I spend my hard earned money I want to make sure you girls are experienced and going to give me a good time!!!”  

Fourth, you do not compare the monthly rates, prices etc. to other schools and tell him it’s cheaper down the road, as an example.  

When people call or inquire at our Kwoon I tell them this, “You only get what you paid for.” It’s that simple!  I tell them, “If you want a cheap meal, go to McDonald’s, and get a 99¢ hamburger.  If you want to have good food, then expect to pay fifteen to thirty-five dollars, or more!”  I also tell them, “If you want cheap clothes, go the Thrift Shop or Salvation Army, otherwise go to Macy’s or Nordstrom’s, etc.  

Last, but not least, you do not ask or challenge the Master or any of his students for a sparring match, this is the ultimate insult and disrespect.  

Now that I (hopefully) have enlightened you on the basic Martial Arts Code of ethics I will proceed.  

Since you were nice enough to contact me and genuinely express your regret regarding the 1989 incident, all is forgiven and forgotten (almost!!?) I guess you must be about 29 by now and have matured a lot.  The closure you mention can now occur and the episode begins to fade into the sunset.   

Please visit our web site at www.buksing.com and check the life story of Sifu Shane Lacey. Your email and my reply, along with my remembered version of the entire episode will be put up in the near future. I am not doing this to demean you, only to use it as a teaching example involving the sad lack of knowledge regarding the protocols and courtesies in the Martial Arts world today.

Best regards,
Grandmaster Vince Lacey (Lay Wing Sung)

510-792-5259 
sifu_lacey@buksing.com