Michael J. Alger Jr. was born in New London, Ct on May 1st, 1981.  He has lived in New London County all his life (growing up in New London and later moving to Norwich).  He began martial arts at the age of 9 with the New London Jukido Ju-jitsu club which was held at the New London Parks and Recreation.  His initial training in the style known as Jukido Ju-jitsu (a Japanese martial art incorporating principles of Karate, Judo Ju-jitsu and Aikido) was under Sensei Lowell Cherry Jr.  After several years of study, he was moved to the adult classes in order to advance in his training.  He also continued to attend the kid’s classes where he acted as the Assistant Instructor under Sensei Lowell Cherry Jr.  In 1994, Michael J. Alger Jr. earned his Shodan (1st degree black belt).

After receiving his black belt, Michael Alger began participating in monthly private black belt classes with Shihan Paul Arel (Head of the International Kokondo Karate and Jukido Ju-jitsu Association) while still training with his original teacher, Sensei Lowell Cherry Jr.  He was awarded his Instructor Certificate in 1998 by Sensei Lowell Cherry Jr. during the International Kokondo Karate Jukido Ju-jitsu Association banquet.  Michael Alger credits Sensei Lowell Cherry Jr. for instilling the traditions and teachings of the martial arts that are deep in his heart.  

In the fall of 1999, Michael Alger started college at Eastern Connecticut State University and was forced to leave the New London Jukido Ju-jitsu club.  He was training on his own while maintaining a full college class schedule.  Eventually, he left Eastern Connecticut State University and went to Three Rivers Community College.  The New London Jukido Ju-jitsu club closed down shortly after.  Eventually, he transferred to Mitchell College in New London, Ct. where he started working towards a degree in Developmental Psychology.   

After observing a demonstration held by Gabriel’s Karate in Groton, Ct., Michael Alger joined their school and began actively training in the Okinawan style of karate known as Shorin-ryu karate.  After some time, he was awarded the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Shorin-ryu karate.  In 2000, he was promoted to Nidan (2nd degree black belt).  He began teaching more and more for Gabriel’s Karate and was made the Head Instructor under the owners. 

After leaving Gabriel’s Karate, Michael Alger briefly trained in another Okinawan style of karate known as Goju-ryu with Chuck Merriman’s Karate International.  Although he enjoyed the training, he was unable to afford the lessons and eventually left the school.     

Still attending Mitchell College, Michael Alger began a karate class as a school project.  The Karate class ended up blooming into an established club for the campus.  He joined the United States Martial Arts Association where he was eventually promoted to Sandan (3rd degree black belt).  During this time, he was also introduced to Shifu Carl Brisson-Lopez’s (Head Instructor, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Martial Arts Club) by a mutual friend.  Eager to continue his own personal growth in the martial arts, he decided to cross train in Praying Mantis Kung  Fu with Shifu Brisson-Lopez a couple of days per week, while still running his own classes for the Mitchell College campus.

After establishing a friendship and working with Shifu Brisson-Lopez for some time, the Mitchell College Karate class started to slow down dramatically due to the members having other college commitments.  By this time the BDJMS Martial Arts Club had grown beyond expectations and was offering classes to 5th grade students and above (to include adults).  Shifu Brisson-Lopez was receiving overwhelming request to accept younger students by people in the community.  Already teaching 4 separate classes and working full time as a Police Officer, Shifu Brisson-Lopez was unable to commit to another class.  Shifu Brisson-Lopez recommended combining efforts with Michael Alger in order to offer the new classes for younger students.  In December 2006, Michael Alger officially closed his Mitchell College Karate class and moved to the BDJMS Martial Arts Club.

Currently, he continues to work towards his college degree at Mitchell College while working at a part-time job of his own.  During the evenings, he cross-trains in Praying Mantis Kung Fu three times per week, and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan once per week under Shifu Brisson-Lopez.  After two of his own classes, he stays and teaches a karate class to the elementary school students.  He is now recognized as the schools Assistant Instructor.

In order to reflect that the combined efforts make it possible to offer classes to all age groups now; the “BDJMS Martial Arts club” changed its name to “New London Public Schools Martial Arts”.  Michael Alger has become a part of the family and continues to train and teach at NLPS Martial Arts.