Twenty years ago, after getting permission from Ohshima Sensei, then Sandan (3rd-degree black belt) now Godan, David Altman started the UNL Shotokan dojo at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1994. David Altman started karate practice decades ago under Godan Jon Beltram in February 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri. He has since completed dozens of special trainings, leading several in the Midwest, and travels each year to California to participate in the Black Belt Council meetings and serve as an elected member of the SKA Board of Directors. David was honored with Godan rank at the France Shotokan 50th Anniversary in Saint Lo, France July 13th, 2014.

The dojo started with about 10 students and new students come every semester to learn the art of karate-do. The UNL dojo has and continues to host exchange practices and visits from other seniors. The first exchange practice was led in early 1995 by Godan John Teramoto.

The UNL dojo along with several other SKA Midwest karateka from Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Chicago presented a Shotokan Karate exhibition during the Japan Festival on March 5, 2009. Members also attended the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo in Santa Barbara, CA and the Nesei Week 2010 Karate Exhibition & Tournament. UNL karateka also have traveled and participated in international anniversary practices in France in 2014 and Japan in 2016 and 2019.

The UNL dojo has maintained strong ties with the Kansas City dojo, where its members attend special trainings and other events. David Altman continues to emphasize our budo roots and those senior members who have really laid the foundation for our practice.