About Delta Kai
Karate should be accessible.
Growth should reach beyond the Dojo.
Delta Kai is a nonprofit martial-arts and fitness community centered on personal development, service, leadership, and meaningful connection.
We provide a place where children, adults, families, volunteers, and supporters can grow together—whether or not they practice karate.
Why we exist
Accessible karate and fitness strengthening the community through service.
Delta Kai exists to make meaningful martial-arts training accessible without requiring traditional tuition.
Students are invited to develop confidence, practical ability, fitness, character, and leadership. Families, volunteers, Supporting Members, and community partners help make that opportunity possible.
How it began
A dojo built around family, opportunity, and service.
Delta Kai grew from Tommy Draeger’s lifelong experience in martial arts, fitness, and youth development—and from the joy of training alongside his son, Landon.
When the first public classes began in January 2025, the goal was larger than opening another karate school. Delta Kai was built as a nonprofit so accessible training could create opportunities for leadership, family connection, volunteer service, and community partnership.
What makes Delta Kai different
More than a place to practice techniques.
Karate is the foundation. What students and families do with their growth is what gives the mission its reach.
Donation-based access
Students can participate without required tuition becoming a barrier.
Youth development
Classes develop confidence, discipline, responsibility, practical safety, and positive behavior alongside karate.
Families grow together
Rising Warriors welcomes youth, adults, and families into a shared training environment.
Service is part of the program
Community Warriors gives students and non-students opportunities to contribute together.
Three connected pathways
Train. Lead. Serve.
Develop yourself.
Grow through Little Stars, Rising Warriors, workshops, and community outreach programs.
Help others grow.
Build responsibility through classes, events, youth leadership, and organizational projects.
Strengthen the community.
Join Community Warriors for cleanups, tournaments, events, and projects with local partners.
Leadership rooted in experience and service
A lifetime of training became a mission to serve.
Delta Kai reflects the complete experience of founder and volunteer Chief Instructor Thomas “Tommy” Draeger—not an attempt to reproduce any single martial-arts school or inherited style.
Thomas “Tommy” Draeger
Tommy began practicing American Karate in 1995 and earned his black belt on September 13, 1999. He reached third-degree black belt in 2019 before stepping away from American Karate in 2021 to deepen his focus on traditional karate.
His experience across American Karate, Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, Shurite, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gave him different perspectives on movement, kata, practical application, distance, control, and the ways martial arts can be taught.
As a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and Youth Exercise Specialist, Tommy has also studied how people develop strength, fitness, coordination, confidence, and healthy habits at different ages. That background helped shape Delta Kai’s age-appropriate instruction and its belief that physical development should support the whole person.
Landon began karate at four years old in 2020 and became Delta Kai’s first student. Training together helped inspire a family-centered dojo where children and adults can learn together and parents are active partners in their children’s development.
American Karate
The beginning of a lifelong martial-arts journey.
Black Belt
Earned September 13, 1999.
Shotokan
A deeper study of traditional karate.
Shorin Ryu
Additional experience in Okinawan karate.
Third Degree
Reached third-degree black belt in American Karate.
Muay Thai & BJJ
Expanded experience in striking and grappling.
Shurite
Continued traditional study and practical exploration.
The people behind the mission
Guided by people committed to the community.
Delta Kai’s Board of Directors provides oversight, accountability, and community perspective while helping classes, outreach, service projects, and organizational decisions remain connected to the mission.
Thomas Draeger
Founder & President
Brian Draeger
Treasurer
Eddie Cullum
Secretary
Brad Gudim
Director
Micah Linehan
Director
Rooted in the community
Fridley first.
Serving surrounding communities.
Delta Kai is based at the Fridley Community Center and grows through relationships with local families, Fridley Parks and Recreation, schools, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations.
Our adoption of Moore Lake Park shows how karate, family time, fellowship, and practical service can belong together. Outreach partnerships carry the same idea into programs throughout Fridley and nearby communities.
Trust is part of the mission
A public mission carries public responsibility.
Delta Kai is committed to creating a safe training environment, using community support responsibly, and being open about how the organization is led.
Growth needs a safe foundation.
Our safety standards address respectful conduct, purposeful training, injury prevention, readiness to participate, appropriate supervision, and the ethical use of martial-arts skills.
Community support deserves public trust.
Review Delta Kai’s nonprofit identity, leadership, governance, community impact, financial stewardship, and information about requesting available records.
Whether you train with us or not
There is a place for you
at Delta Kai.
Train with us, join Community Warriors, become a Supporting Member, or bring Delta Kai programming to your organization.
Delta Kai 