The Academy Instructors
We hold our Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing skills to the highest standard. You can be assured that when you are being instructed by a member of The Academy you are receiving training of the highest quality.
Professor Jim McCormick
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU Instructor
Professor Jim McCormick started his jiu-jitsu career in the early 1990s under the tutelage of Royce Gracie, UFC Hall of Famer and winner of UFC 1, 2, and 4. Soon after Professor Jim started training under Craig Kukuk, the first American Black Belt in jiu-jitsu, which he received from Royler Gracie at the original Gracie Academy in Brazil.
After a decade long hiatus, Professor Jim joined The Academy (then Madama Jiu-Jitsu) when his middle son wanted to start training. Returning to the mats, Professor Jim became a student of Professor Josh Madama, a Matt Serra Black Belt. In 2015, Professor Jim received his Black Belt from Professor Josh and received his first degree in 2019.
A technical grappler with over 25 years’ experience, Professor Jim specializes in his "old man jiu-jitsu” and puts an emphasis on instilling and sharing knowledge amongst his students and peers. Owing to his long career, Professor Jim has evolved with the art while never straying too far from the principles of what makes a good jiu-jitsu player.
In 2019, Professor Jim took over ownership of The Academy after Professor Josh retired. Madama Jiu-Jitsu was formally renamed to The Academy of Jiu-Jitsu in the summer of 2021.
Professor Kory Acchione
Brazilian JIU-JITSU Instructor | CO-OWNER
Kory Acchione began his jiu-jitsu career at The Academy (then Madama Jiu-Jitsu) back in 2005 and has been with The Academy ever since. He has competed in several tournaments and grappling events, including achieving Silver at Pan-Ams and competing in a Fight-to-Win co-main event against Tex Johnson.
He teaches the Advanced Adult Jiu-Jitsu and Competition classes, focusing on the finer details of executing fundamentals, as well as introducing more technical and situational techniques into the game.
He describes his jiu-jitsu as having an active guard, which you would typically find in smaller jiu-jitsu players, while also having a heavy pressure and body lock style passing from on top.
He received his Black Belt in 2016 from Professor Josh Madama and received his first degree in 2019. Most recently, he was promoted to 3rd degree in 2025 by Karel “Silver Fox” Pravec and continues to actively train under Silver Fox. In addition to his jiu-jitsu proficiency, he has over 20 years of boxing experience, over a decade of Muay Thai experience, and is a certified defensive tactics instructor, tactical handcuffing instructor, and baton instructor, and has been in law enforcement for over 20 years.
Professor Vinny Antinozzi
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor | CO-OWNER
Professor Vinny started at The Academy in 2010 and now teaches our 6AM No-Gi jiu-jitsu classes. Over his jiu-jitsu career, Professor Vinny has participated and placed in multiple events, most recently winning a double-header Men-of-War event.
Professor Vinny describes his jiu-jitsu as practical and simple: be efficient with your movement and energy, conserve it until necessary to use it. Never over-extend and do your best to force your opponent to over-commitment.
Professor Vinny received his Black Belt from Professors Jim, Kory, & Ray in October 2022. Professor Vinny arrived at The Academy at the age of 14 as a sophomore in high school, making him one of the youngest and longest running members of The Academy.
“I don’t think I would be half the grappler I am without Vinny.”
- Professor Jim
Professor Sandi McCormick
INSTRUCTOR | CO-OWNER
Kru Sandi has been training in kickboxing under Kru Mike Lanzano since 2009 and was the first woman to a black armband under him. She is a dedicated, hard-working student and instructor who is also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kru Sandi has worked countless one-on-one hours under Mastre Anderson Franca. Mastre Franca is currently one of the professional striking coaches at American Top Team in Florida. Among Mastre Franca’s notable students are Edson Barboza, Frankie Edgar, Marlon Moraes, Eddie Alvarez, and Amanda Nunez (among others).
Professionally, Sandi is a registered nurse and a health & wellness coach. She is married to Professor Jim and has three children with him, all of which train at our academy.
Professor Erik Hoffman
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Erik Hoffman started Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2005 when he was 25 years old. At the time, he was looking to develop skills that would help him with his career in law enforcement. While the goal was to make it home from work in one piece, he fell in love with the sport.
He has competed at every belt rank and is most proud of still being healthy enough to train into his mid 40's.
He has always tried to focus on fundamentals with an emphasis on control. He tries to use heavy pressure when he passes. His favorite positions are top and bottom half guard, and he tries to utilize Ezekiel chokes from just about anywhere.
He received his black belt in February 2023 and received his first degree from Professor Kory in 2026.
When not on the mats, he has spent the last 20 years as a Detective investigating narcotics and weapons trafficking. He is always encouraging as many law enforcement officers as he can to start training in jiu-jitsu.
Rich Patishnock
STRIKING INSTRUCTOR
Rich began training in Kickboxing in 2007 and has spent years developing a pressure-heavy style that focuses on practical effectiveness rather than point-based or purely sport-oriented competition. He was promoted to brown belt in December 2021 and brings a forward, relentless approach to both training and instruction. In addition to his Kickboxing background, Rich is also proficient in MMA, blending skills from multiple disciplines to create a well-rounded and realistic approach to striking and overall combat.
Outside the gym, Rich enjoys working with special effects and building horror replicas. He’s also a red wine enthusiast.