The Chapel Hill Shotokan Dojo opened in the Hillel Foundation, April 1978, with a single twelve-year judo student from South Africa. By autumn, Javier Narvarte and Mike Erisman formed a strong nucleus, eventually expanded by other members including Hugo Castillo (1979), and Nora and Oleg Favorov (1980). Ray Berry (Randolph-Macon College), administered the first kyu test in spring 1979, followed in that autumn by Carl Jacobson (Delaware). The Dojo continued to grow in spurts and starts throughout the years, however, produced many fine black belts by the end of its first decade. At that particular time, Salah El Mestikawy (Paris) joined us for three years bringing a pragmatic approach to kumite; and shortly thereafter Kitty Gallagher continued inspired kumite practices gleaned from the realistic teachings of Tom White and Ray Berry. Demolition of the Hillel Foundation in 1999 shifted practices briefly to McDougle Elementary School, then to the Recreational Therapy gym, UNC Memorial Hospital (2000-2007), where Rob Clark fully established his leadership credentials. Until the dojo obtains accreditation with the University of North Carolina, practices are being held outside the university in a private gym facility.
Over the years, former members spread out seeding new dojos: Scott Swartzwelder (Duke University, NC), Leslie S. Jones (Columbia, SC), Bill Taylor (Austin, TX), Keith Hasson (Atlanta, GA), and John Foster (Carrboro, NC). Or, assumed leadership of established dojos: George Washington University, DC (Kitty Gallagher) and Duke University (sequentially by Rob Clark, Keith Hasson, Al Sternberg, and Mary Prasad assisted by Ravindra Prasad, Ken Brumer and Shanon Schuster; currently led by John Foster). A reciprocal association developed between Duke University and Chapel Hill enabling members to train in both dojos.