Sherman Bergman

Infobox_Kickboxer
name=Sherman "Big Train" Bergman

300px]_
realname=Sherman Bergman
nickname=Big Train
weight=Lightheavyweight (175lbs.)
nationality=flagicon|USA American
height=5 feet 10 inches.
birth_date=1958?
birth_place=Miami Beach, Florida flagicon|Florida
team=Team Bergman:Trainer-Hank Bergman
style=Kickboxing stance: Southpaw
total=60
wins=54
KO=54
losses=6
draws=0
no contests=0

Sherman Bergman (nicknamed "Big Train" for his locomotive-like fighting style)has been a unique personality in the sport of Kickboxing. He came out of Miami Beach, Florida, to become a college graduate, a school teacher, and the only United States kickboxer to have fought Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Kickboxing career

Sherman "Big Train" Bergman is a 4th degree blackbelt and a certified Ju-jitsu instructor [ [http://www.amfedjujitsu.com/AFJinstructors.html] ] . He began kickboxing in the 1970s, and his ring career has spanned 4 decades. Two of his early matches were losses to Jean-Claude Van Damme [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000241/bio] ] at the 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa, Florida,(November 3,1979, Hillsborough Community College) and to future World Lightheavyweight Kickboxing Champion Gary Daniels [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199939/bio-25k] ] at the 1980 Sunshine State Tournament in Coconut Grove, Florida.

Following his defeat to Daniels, Bergman scored 13 straight first round knockout victories, including a 23 second stoppage of Thailand's Morsak Muangsu. The victory caught the attention of Barry Harrell a staff writer for Official Karate Magazine. In his column, Southern Exposure, Harrell wrote, " Many people believe Bergman has the power to beat Alvin "The Million Dollar Baby" Prouder (PKA World Welterweight Champion)." However, an eyelid injury sidetracked Bergman's career.

On September 15, 1988, after almost four years of inactivity, Bergman returned to competition with a first round knockout over undefeated Alejandro DasCola. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&p_theme=mh&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Sherman%20bergman%20AND20%date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(sherman%20bergman)&xcal_numdocs=20&p-perpage=10&p_sort=rank_:D&xcal_ranksort=4&xcal_useweights=yes?from the newsbank search] ] . On July 15, 1990, Bergman knocked out Carlos Andino to win his 21st consecutive first round kickboxing match [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=aFkwyOIHsr8C&dq=isbn%3A1602800138&q=Sherman] ] .

Bergman's win streak was snapped when he was knocked out by Andino in a return match. Following the loss, Bergman disappeared from the public spotlight. Over the next twelve years, he competed in total obsurity against an array of unknown opponents.

In 2002, Bergman received some local attention by winning the 175 pound division at the South Eastern Open Kickboxing Tournament [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&p_theme=mh&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Sherman%20bergman%20AND20%date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(sherman%20bergman)&xcal_numdocs=20&p-perpage=10&p_sort=rank_:D&xcal_ranksort=4&xcal_useweights=yes|from the newsbank search] ] .

In a charity match to aid the Ronald McDonald House in the summer of 2008, Bergman knocked out J.T. Duffy in 3 rounds.

Coaching career

From 2002 to 2004 Bergman became a trainer and mentor to South American martial artists Jeronimo Solis, Luis Carvalho, Martin Rebollo, Derwin Portilla, and Gustavo Cardoza.

Amateur Boxing

From 1973-1983, Bergman compiled a 17-4 (17 knockouts) amateur boxing record, and competed in four Florida Golden Glove tournaments. He trained at the famed 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach, and the Elizabeth Varrick Gym in Coconut Grove, Florida.

In Golden Glove competition, Bergman lost to Florida Golden Glove champions Larry Byrd and Cornelious Drane [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=list&p_topdoc=61] ] . His trainers were Hank Bergman, former world lightweight boxing champion Beau Jack, Benjamin (Evil Eye) Finkle,Jose Maceo, Eddie Ludlow, and Gary Ritter.

Educational career

Sherman Bergman has been an ESOL (English for speakers of other languages)teacher with Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1981.

He was his school's "Teacher of the Year" in 1995, and was his center's ESOL Department Chairperson from 1991-2001. Also, he was an eleven year member of the DCCASE Council working on the Agis Project in the 1990s.

Bergman has been a member of Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society since 1991, and a member of The United Teachers of Dade since 1981. He has also taught courses in GED, Pre-GED, Citizenship, and VESOL (Vocational English for speakers of other languages). Over 15,000 students have graduated from his adult and vocational classes.

He is a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School, a honors graduate of Miami Dade College, and has a Bachlor's of Arts Degree in Psychology from Florida International University, and a Masters Degree in ESOL from Nova Southeastern University.

Bergman is active in such community service activities as The Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House. The United Way. the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Cultural Arts Society of Miami.

Acting

Bergman has studied acting, film-making, and movie poster design since the 1970s. He studied acting with legendary drama instructor Jay W. Jensen. Bergman has appeared in both film and on the stage.

Footnotes

References

*http://www.amfedjujitsu.com/AFJinstructors.html
*http://books.google.com/books?id=aFkwyOIHsr8C&dq=isbn%3A1602800138&q=Sherman
*http://www.books.google.com/books?isbn=1602800138
*http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&p_theme=mh&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Sherman%20bergman%20AND20%date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(sherman%20bergman)&xcal_numdocs=20&p-perpage=10&p_sort=rank_:D&xcal_ranksort=4&xcal_useweights=yes|from the newsbank search]
*Miami Herald, Thursday, August 7, 2008, pages 11-12, Neighbors: SCHOOL SCENE, FIGHTING FOR RONALD, by Micaela Hood.
*Tre Today News (Xuat Tinh Som), December 31, 2007: "SAO" & "SAO": JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME.
*Day by Day in Jewish Sports History by Bob Wechsler, Publisher: KTAV Publishing House, Inc., Published date: October 2007, Sherman Bergman, pages 197, 386.
*http://www.hollywoodupclose.com (Sherman Bergman)
*Miami Herald, Thursday, November 22, 2007, page 15, Neighbors MB: SCHOOL SCENE, A HELPFUL GIFT, by Micaela Hood.
*The Beach Umbrella, Volume 1, Issue 3, April 28, 2008: English for the Silver Screen.
*The Beach Umbrella, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2007, page 2: Students United in Helping Their Community.
*The Beach Umbrella, Volume 1, Issue 1, page 3: In Memoriam: Jay W. Jensen, Teacher To The Stars.
*The Beach Umbrella, Summer/Fall 2006, page 3: 10,000 and Counting.
*Internet Movie Database, 2006.
*Miami Herald, Neighbors MB, Thursday, January 19, 2006, pages 16-17:SCHOOL SCENE, by Estephanie Resnik.
*Miami Herald, Thursday, August 4, 2005, page 12, Neighbors MB: HELPING OUT, by Estephanie Resnik.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, January 30, 2005, Neighbors, page 37: LEARNING ENGLISH.
*Miami Herald, January 2, 2005, Neighbors MB, page 44: REMEMBERING.
*Miami Herald, November 28, 2004, Neighbors, page 37: MARTIAL ARTS.
*Miami Herald, November 21, 2004, Neighbors MB, page 37: CELEBRATING WAR VETERANS.
*Miami Herald, October 3, 2004, MB, page 32: KARATE CHAMPS.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, August 22, 2004, Neighbors MB, page 37:KNOCKOUT KICKBOXERS.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, August 15, 2004, Neighbors, page 27: ESSAY WINNER.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, July 25, 2004, Neighbors MB, page 32: HEROES REMEMBERED.
*Miami Herald, May 23, 2004, MB, page 30: KARATE CHAMPS.
*Miami Herald, May 2, 2004, Neighbors MB, page 34: HELPING OUT.
*Miami Herald, April 11, 2004 MB, page 27: KARATE CHAMPS.
*The Fien-Print, March 2004, Volume I, Issue 11, page 4: FIENBERG-FISHER HELPS HOMELESS DURING "12 MONTHS OF GIVING".
*Miami Herald, Sunday, December 7, 2003, Neighbors MB, page 20: TAB CAMPAIGN HELPS MCDONALD HOUSE.
*Miami Herald, August 31, 2003, Neighbors, page 34: PUTTING ON A PRODUCTION, by Carli Tipoff.
*Cultural Arts Society Presents: An Introduction to the Dance 2003, April 8, 2003, page 3: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, February 2, 2003 MB, page 26: CHAMPIONS.
*Miami Hearld, August 18, 2002, NeighborsBC, page 28 MB: ESOL STUDENTS PLACE IN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
*Fien-Print, Volume 1, Issue 9-Summer 2002, page 3: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE-SHERMAN BERGMAN IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL, by Jairo Naranjo.
*Miami Herald, Neighbors MB, Sunday, June 30, 2002, page 26:ADULT ED.
*Argentina-Hoy, 14 de Agosto de 2001, Interes General, page 16: GRADUACION.
*Miami Herald, Neighbors MB, Sunday, November 18, 2001, page 39: CONTRIBUTION, by Annette Collazo.
*The Chalkboard, April 2001, Volume 1, Issue 5: SHERMAN BERGMAN, by Jairo Naranjo.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, August 13, 2000, Neighbors MB, page 4: INSTRUCTOR MARTIALS HIS STUDENTS TO SUCCEED by Melisma Cox.
*Miami Herald, Saturday, June 17, 2000, page 7B: SATURDAY SPEAKUP, A RESCUE, HEARTFELT THANKS.
*Miami Herald, October 22, 1999, Neighbors MB, page 26: NO KIDDING, IT'S A SCHOOL FOR ADULTS.
*EDWORKS, Premiere '99, page 6: FACULTY FOCUS-HE'S A WINNER!, IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THE RING.
*Black Belt Magazine, September 1998, page 168: LETTERS: UFC WIN SPURS COMEBACK.
*Miami Herald, Neighbors MB, Sunday, December 28, 1997, page 17:ESOL GRADS.
*Miami Herald, Neighbors MB, Sunday, May 4, 1997, page 30: 550 STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM LANGUAGE PROGRAM.
*News For You, October 2, 1996, page 4: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE, by Marlene Santiago.
*News For You, May 8, 1996, page 4: TEACHERS ARE SPECIAL, by Lori Gonzalez DeVasquez.
*Miami Herald, Thursday, September 24, 1995, 4, Neighbors MB: BOXER'S REAL KICK IS TEACHING.
*Miami Herald Thursday, September 24, 1995, Neighbors NMB: BOXER'S REAL KICK IS TEACHING ENGLISH, by Moshe Alexenberg.
*Fundacao USA Brasil, December 1993, page 3, CHAMPION OUR CHAMPION, by Vera Lins Ferst.
*Miami Herald, Thursday, November 25, 1993: POPULAR TEACHER, by Annika Butardo.
*Miami Herald, ?/?/1993, Speak Out: KICK-BOXING HELPS TEACH.
*Miami Herald, Sunday, September 22, 1991 MB, page 38: TEACHER GETS HIS KICKS IN CLASSROOM AND RING, by Johnny Diaz.
*Miami Herald, December 24, 1990, Neighbors MB, page 18: COUNTDOWN ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
*PDK Newsletter, October 1990, Volume 45, Issue 2,Front Page, Chapter 0086-*Phi Delta Kappa: FEED THE NEEDY, by Arnie Notkin.
*PDK Newsletter, 1990: CAMILUS HOUSE PROJECT, by Arnie Notkin.
*Miami Herald, July 12, 1990, 6, Neighbors MB: KICKBOXER INSPIRES STUDENTS, by Johnny Diaz.
*The Trendsetter, Vol. 2, No. 1, September/October 1989, page 5: INSPIRATION.
*Miami Herald, September 29, 1988, Neighbors MB: NEIGHBORS IN SPORTS-SHERMAN BERGMAN IS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL, by Jeremy Kroll.
*Official Karate Magazine, November 1985, page 14: SOUTHERN EXPOSURE by Barry Harrell.
*Official Karate Magazine, November 1984, page 14: SOUTHERN EXPOSURE by Barry Harrell.
*STAR SYSTEM World Ratings, June 20, 1983, letter to Natalie Reade regarding fight results of Sherman Bergman in the Star System computer for historical reference, from Paul Maslak, Chief Administrator, The Star System.
*Miami Herald, February 24, 1983, Sports, page 8E: BOXING: WATSON STOPS GRAY IN THIRD.
*Miami Herald, February 11, 1982, Sports: ADVANCE IN GLOVES QUALIFYING.
*THE STAR SYSTEM(Standard Tournaments and Rating System), January 25, 1982, letter to Natalie Reade-Regarding Sherman Bergman from Paul Maslak (STAR Ratings Statistician).
*Miami Herald, February 22, 1981, Sports: HICKS IS A KNOCKOUT IN GOLDEN GLOVES CARD.
*Miami Herald, March 6, 1980, Sports: VETERANS BOW OUT EARLY.

Amateur Boxing Record: 17-4 (17 knockouts)

External links

*imdb name|1870022