About
SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs offers training in mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, functional fitness, Boxing BootCamp, conditioning, and self defense. Classes include work in Stand Up, Clinch, and Ground, and also include wellness-focused activities.
SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs is part of SBG NorCal, which has been part of the East Bay martial arts community and a member of Straight Blast Gym International since 2003 and was formed by Lily and Alan Pagle in 2002. The program is organized as a non-profit under Martial Arts Training and Scholarship, a 501.c.3, and uses the motto “Function Not Fantasy since 2003.” All coaches complete a year-long coach’s course, and all coaches are volunteers.
The leadership team includes co-founder and Head Coach Lily Pagle and co-founder Alan Pagle, who is also referred to as Head Coach. Lily Pagle has over 25 years of experience in martial arts, holds a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a second degree black belt in Judo. Alan Pagle has been training and teaching martial arts since 1973, has black belts in traditional martial arts, and cites his collegiate boxing and 2nd degree black belt in Judo as the biggest influences on his training and coaching style.
Coaches at SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs include Kirk Fong, who has been a dedicated martial artist and coach since 1985, held black belts in Hapkido and Taekwondo before joining SBG NorCal in 2005, and was awarded his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by Coach Lily in 2022. Coach Fred Yu has practiced martial arts his whole life, specializes in SanShou Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt), and has taught and competed in Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA. Coach Jose Salinas began training MMA at SBG NorCal at age 16, later worked the front desk, and now teaches Jiu-Jitsu classes. Coach Denny Cheriyan has been a dedicated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner since 2017 and is now a purple belt coach at SBG NorCal. Matthew “Oki” O’Connor began traditional martial arts training at age 6, joined SBG NorCal in 2010, and has a PhD in Biochemistry. Kyle Fong-Cristin was raised in a martial arts family, grew up training in Hapkido and Wrestling, joined SBG NorCal at age 13, and as an adult trains with a focus in grappling/Jiu-Jitsu and MMA and teaches classes at SBG. Cameron Avery has been with SBG since 2021 and has been coaching Kickboxing since early 2023. Coach Bill Suh taught kindergarten for three years, holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, a brown belt in Judo, and taught Krav Maga as a Level 5 practitioner. Coach Patrick Schork has been training in martial arts since 2015 and earned his Aikido black belt in 2022.
The program’s stated philosophy is that learning and growth, both physical and mental, can take place at any age or from any starting point, and that good coaching and a supportive environment make training consistent. SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs trains in efficient delivery systems of Stand Up, Clinch, and Ground. The organization offers scholarship programs for youth and families through Berkeley Unified School District and for young adults through the Berkeley Adult School. Along with martial arts and fitness programs, it offers free community workshops covering fitness, self defense, and wellness. SBG NorCal describes itself as a place where people of different backgrounds and experiences can get together and help each other become the best versions of themselves on the mat and in their communities.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs is part of SBG NorCal, which has been part of the East Bay martial arts community and a member of Straight Blast Gym International since 2003 and was formed by Lily and Alan Pagle in 2002. The program is organized as a non-profit under Martial Arts Training and Scholarship, a 501.c.3, and uses the motto “Function Not Fantasy since 2003.” All coaches complete a year-long coach’s course, and all coaches are volunteers.
The leadership team includes co-founder and Head Coach Lily Pagle and co-founder Alan Pagle, who is also referred to as Head Coach. Lily Pagle has over 25 years of experience in martial arts, holds a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a second degree black belt in Judo. Alan Pagle has been training and teaching martial arts since 1973, has black belts in traditional martial arts, and cites his collegiate boxing and 2nd degree black belt in Judo as the biggest influences on his training and coaching style.
Coaches at SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs include Kirk Fong, who has been a dedicated martial artist and coach since 1985, held black belts in Hapkido and Taekwondo before joining SBG NorCal in 2005, and was awarded his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by Coach Lily in 2022. Coach Fred Yu has practiced martial arts his whole life, specializes in SanShou Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt), and has taught and competed in Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA. Coach Jose Salinas began training MMA at SBG NorCal at age 16, later worked the front desk, and now teaches Jiu-Jitsu classes. Coach Denny Cheriyan has been a dedicated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner since 2017 and is now a purple belt coach at SBG NorCal. Matthew “Oki” O’Connor began traditional martial arts training at age 6, joined SBG NorCal in 2010, and has a PhD in Biochemistry. Kyle Fong-Cristin was raised in a martial arts family, grew up training in Hapkido and Wrestling, joined SBG NorCal at age 13, and as an adult trains with a focus in grappling/Jiu-Jitsu and MMA and teaches classes at SBG. Cameron Avery has been with SBG since 2021 and has been coaching Kickboxing since early 2023. Coach Bill Suh taught kindergarten for three years, holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, a brown belt in Judo, and taught Krav Maga as a Level 5 practitioner. Coach Patrick Schork has been training in martial arts since 2015 and earned his Aikido black belt in 2022.
The program’s stated philosophy is that learning and growth, both physical and mental, can take place at any age or from any starting point, and that good coaching and a supportive environment make training consistent. SBG NorCal Martial Arts Programs trains in efficient delivery systems of Stand Up, Clinch, and Ground. The organization offers scholarship programs for youth and families through Berkeley Unified School District and for young adults through the Berkeley Adult School. Along with martial arts and fitness programs, it offers free community workshops covering fitness, self defense, and wellness. SBG NorCal describes itself as a place where people of different backgrounds and experiences can get together and help each other become the best versions of themselves on the mat and in their communities.
Last updated May 11, 2026.
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