Jeff Brown reached the heights of judo fame before his life was tragically cut short at the age of 31.

He was a world champion, but more importantly, he is remembered as one who never forgot his roots. He and his family established Brown's Judo And Jujutsu School in Utica.

Jeff founded the U.S. Youth Judo Program with his father, Dan Brown Sr., and introduced it to Kernan School in 1996. The free after-school has since spread throughout Oneida County. Brown coached students of all ages, from the elementary level to junior college, and gave them opportunities to learn discipline and to develop self-esteem through the martial arts. The program pays for the student's fees. insurance. travel and lodging during judo tournaments.

Jeff was born on January 20, 1967. His father introduced him to judo at the age of four and coached him throughout his life. Although neither Whitesboro Central School nor Mohawk Valley Community College fielded varsity judo teams, Brown managed to win many major tournaments in his teens. He won the i3·year-old lightweight title in the Adirondack Amateur Athletic Union judo championships, following in the footsteps or his older brothers, Jim and Dan. As a member of the Rome YMCA Judo Club, Jeff qualified for the Pre-National Junior Olympics in the 13-15 age group. Brown was a frequent medalist in the Empire State Games. both as a junior and in the men's open division.

In 1988 as a freshman at MVCC, Brown competed for the U.S. Judo Team in the World University Games in Russia. In 1987, 1990 and 1991. he won the Great Lakes Open.

Brown had a banner year in 1989, going undefeated in all the collegiate tournaments he entered and becoming a licensed first-degree black belt by the Kodokan Judo Club of Japan. The 22-year-old clinched titles in the Boshido Kai championships. the New England-Atlantic Coast Regional. the Eastern Collegiate Championships, and the National Collegiate Championship~ in the 143-pound weight class.

Also in 1989, he won the NCAA national judo title and was named an All American. He finished second in the Am-Can International Championships, which earned him a tryout for the U.S. Olympic Team. He then qualified for the 1989 USA Olympic Festival Team.

He finished third in the Am-Can·Championships in 1993. In 1995, Brown placed third in the U.S. Open Judo Championships. In 1996. he became world jujutsu and "grappling" champion as a middleweight.

He established and coached the MVCC judo club from 1996 to 1998. leading the men's and women's teams to the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association national championship in 1997.

Brown graduated from MVCC with degrees in nursing and in recreation. He died in 1998 of a heart arrhythmia.