# Our History > The story of Taekwondo University in Olive Branch — four decades of building discipline, confidence, and champions in the Greater Memphis area since 1985. *Four decades on the mat* ## Rooted in the Greater Memphis area since 1985 For four decades, Taekwondo University has been more than just a place to practice martial arts, it has been a cornerstone of character, community, and family in the Mid-South. Founded in November 7, 1985 by 9th Degree Grand Master Terry Brumley and 4th Degree Black Belt Julie Brumley, our school was built on the fundamental belief that martial arts can transform lives at any age. What began as a single training center in Memphis has grown into a 40-year legacy spanning multiple generations, producing Masters, Taekwondo Instructors, and Civic Leaders. Today, as second-generation owner Alex Brumley carries the torch forward, we invite you to look back at the milestones, locations, and dedicated people who shaped our storied history, and built the family tradition we proudly honor today. ## 1985-1989 — The Foundation & Early Growth On November 7, 1985, Taekwondo University officially opened its doors in the Apple Tree Center on Mount Moriah Road in Memphis, launching a legacy of community, discipline, and excellence. Growth came quickly. In April 1986, the school brought on Randy Edwards, who would climb the ranks over the decades to become an 8th Degree Chief Master and owner of Fayetteville Taekwondo. By 1988, the vision expanded with the opening of Bartlett Taekwondo, with Chief Master Edwards stepping in as its very first Chief Instructor to anchor the new location. ## 1990–1994 — Expansion Across the Mid-South The early ‘90s marked a massive era of expansion and permanent roots. In 1990, Darie Burton moved to Memphis to manage the Bartlett school, beginning a journey that would see him achieve the prestigious rank of Grand Master. In February 1991, a major milestone was reached with the construction and opening of our dedicated facility at 3569 Hickory Hill (at Winchester), which served as a powerhouse of martial arts training for the next 17 years. The momentum continued into 1994 with the opening of Cordova Taekwondo, initially managed by Gordon Cummins and later purchased by Mark Metts. It was during this thriving era that Collierville Taekwondo was also launched, producing leaders like first manager Brody Wiggins—now a detective with the Memphis Police Department—and Thomas Oakes, who eventually purchased the location. ## 1995-1999 — Cultivating Champions With established hubs running across Memphis, Bartlett, Cordova, and Collierville, the late 1990s became a golden era of consolidation, high-level training, and deep community integration. The Hickory Hill headquarters became a landmark for families in the area, consistently producing elite martial artists, regional competitors, and future instructors. The focus of this era was entirely on refining the curriculum, strengthening the branch schools, and cementing the school’s reputation as the premier Taekwondo institution in the Mid-South. ## 2000-2009 — A New Millennium of Leadership & Adaptation As Taekwondo University entered the new millennium, the long-term impact of its training became undeniable. Students who had walked through the doors as children in the mid-to-late ‘80s were now stepping into leadership roles themselves, proving that the family-owned business wasn’t just teaching martial arts, it was actively shaping the next generation of civic leaders and high-ranking black belts. After 17 incredible years at the Hickory Hill location, the late 2000s brought a period of strategic transition to serve new neighborhoods. In 2008, the school established a strong five-year presence at the Walmart center at Shelby Drive and Riverdale. ## 2010-2019 — Expanding Horizons & Finding Home This decade was defined by agility, bringing martial arts directly to new pockets of the Mid-South community. After wrapping up a successful run at the Shelby and Riverdale location in 2013, the school expanded its reach across state lines with a dedicated five-year tenure near the Kroger center in Olive Branch, alongside a three-year presence at Hacks Cross and Route 302. In 2015, Taekwondo University found a beloved long-term home on College Street, starting next to the Piggly Wiggly for two years before moving into the main complex, where it continues to thrive today. To accommodate growing demand, an additional location opened above Jason’s Deli in 2019, running alongside the long-standing Bartlett Highway 70 school under the trusted leadership of Joe Simon and Chad Connolly. ## 2020-2024 — Resilience Like many historic institutions, the turn of the decade brought unprecedented challenges with the arrival of COVID-19, which forced the closure of the Jason’s Deli and Bartlett Highway 70 locations. However, the foundation built over 35 years proved unbreakable. Anchored by the enduring Olive Branch location, the school persevered through the pandemic. ## 2025 — A Historic Milestone & Passing the Torch The year 2025 marked the most monumental chapter in our history, bringing four decades of martial arts excellence full circle. In August 2025, after 40 years of unwavering leadership, community impact, and shaping thousands of lives, Grand Master Terry Brumley officially retired, passing the torch and full ownership of the school to his son, Alex Brumley. This historic transition of leadership beautifully set the stage for November 2025, when Taekwondo University officially celebrated its landmark 40th Anniversary, honoring the incredible legacy built by the first generation while stepping boldly into the future under the second. --- ## About Taekwondo University Taekwondo University is a family-owned martial arts school in Olive Branch, MS, teaching Taekwondo to kids, teens, and adults since 1985 — building confidence, discipline, and real self-defense skills. - **Address:** 6511 MS-305, Olive Branch, MS 38654 - **Phone:** +1-901-794-1800 - **Email:** brumley@tkduniv.com - **Founded:** 1985 by GM Terry Brumley - **Class hours:** Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:00 PM–8:00 PM - **Serving:** Olive Branch, Southaven, Byhalia, Collierville, Memphis ## Programs - [Little Warriors — ages 4-6](https://tkduniv.com/little-warriors.md) - [Kids Taekwondo — ages 7-12](https://tkduniv.com/team-positive.md) - [Teen & Adult — ages 13+](https://tkduniv.com/teen-adult.md) - [Book a free intro class](https://tkduniv.com/free.md) --- *Markdown version of [https://tkduniv.com/our-history](https://tkduniv.com/our-history) — the canonical page. Last updated August 20, 2026. Full site map for assistants: [https://tkduniv.com/llms.txt](https://tkduniv.com/llms.txt).*