Old School Jiu Jitsu

Old School Jiu Jitsu in Kirksville, Missouri, traces its roots to the friendship and training partnership of Jake Sevits and Kyle Rogers, who began their journey on a 10' x 10' mat in a garage. Jake, who worked as an engineer before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, brings a deeply analytical approach to his teaching, shaped by his fascination with the mechanics of the art and influenced by the ideas of John Danaher. For Jake, jiu-jitsu became a life-changing practice, helping him find purpose and improve his mental health. He started the academy with the goal of sharing these benefits, and his attention to detail and passion for learning are woven into every class. The academy puts strong emphasis on team growth and mutual support, rather than focusing solely on individual achievement or competition records. Jake’s philosophy is clear: he values consistent training, health, and respect among training partners above all else. While he enjoys competition and encourages those who want to test themselves, he believes the real reward is in daily progress and camaraderie. His own family is involved—his children participate in the kids’ classes, and evenings often end with the family cleaning mats and rolling together. Training at Old School Jiu Jitsu covers a wide range of programs for both kids and adults. The schedule includes gi and no-gi classes led by instructors such as Jake Sevits, Jacob Henington, and Cameron Kirmse, as well as a women’s-only fundamentals class taught by Amber Ratcliff. Kids can start as young as four in the intro and fundamentals classes, and there are options for youth nogi and competition-focused training. Adult students also have access to MMA classes with Eric Amini-Rad and regular open mat sessions. The academy welcomes visitors and drop-ins, and the gym is wheelchair accessible.

Amenities