Instructor Level: 1. Head Instructor
Cox, Tara Mrs.
08th Degree Black Belt
Mrs. Cox is the co-owner/operator and head instructor for Legacy Martial Arts. She is an 8th-degree black belt in The United Fighting Arts Federation, Chuck Norris System. She has been active in the martial arts for over thirty-five years, since 1980. Mrs. Cox earned her black belt over 20 years ago in 1991, and she has been running her karate school for over 19 years since 1996. She teaches self-defense classes and is certified to teach Kickbox fitness as well. She has been an active competitor in tournaments since 1980. She was awarded female competitor of the Year by The United Fighting Arts Federation in 1998 and was the world champion in her Kata division in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was also awarded Instructor of the Year in 2002, and her school was awarded School of the Year in 2006. Mrs. Cox was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2003. In July 2011, Mrs. Cox was awarded by Grand Master Chuck Norris, the most prestigious award in The United Fighting Arts Federation, The Wieland Norris Award, named after Grand Master Chuck Norris’s brother, who was killed in Vietnam. Mrs. Cox serves on the board of directors for The United Fighting Arts Federation as the Director of Operations. When she is not teaching or training, she loves to spend time with her family and watch her kids’ activities. Mrs. Cox is happily married and has two kids and two stepkids.
Instructor Level: 1. Head Instructor
Funderburk, Logan
04th Degree Black Belt
Even though Mr. Logan Funderburk took his first karate class in April 2012 at eight years old, his love for martial arts began when he was just a toddler. It was when he watched his oldest sister join karate and progress through the ranks herself that he begged his parents to let him join as well. When his parents finally signed him up for Legacy Martial Arts, his love only grew from there. He received his Black Belt at 12 years old, only four years after the start of his journey. Today, anyone looking at the four stars on his gi can see that his passion for the martial arts never stopped. Before even reaching adulthood, he became a four-time World Champion against hundreds of Black Belts from all over the world. He’s an impressive certified Krav Maga instructor, teaching adults the reality-based self-defense system UFAF KRAV MAGA. In 2023, he became the youngest person voted Instructor of the Year at the International Training Conference. His next goal is becoming a “Master Rank” in the Chuck Norris System and finally putting on the famous “Black Jacket.” Now, he sits on the Regional Board of Directors of UFAF Region 2 and is the head instructor at the martial arts studio where he once stood in the back of the lineup as a white belt, only eleven years before. His lifelong dedication helps cement our Legacy that will continue for years and generations to come.
Instructor Level: 1. Head Instructor
Taylor, Paige
03rd Degree Black Belt
Miss Paige Taylor began her martial arts training in October 2013 at 7 years old. During her 10 years of martial arts training, she’s achieved her 3rd degree Black Belt, blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and orange rank in UFAF Krav Maga. Miss Taylor is the youngest and only female head instructor (besides owner Mrs. Tara Cox) at Legacy Martial Arts. She has made some truly inspiring accomplishments, even despite many injuries during her training. So much so that she won “Most Inspirational” at the International Training Conference in 2021. She is loved and admired by all of her students for her attentiveness and compassion. Miss Taylor always brings treats for her students during major holidays, or even just to celebrate their accomplishments. Legacy Martial Arts is so proud to have her as part of the team.
Instructor Level: 2. Guest Instructor
Gallacher, Ken Mr.
10th Degree Black Belt
Mr. Gallacher is the highest-ranking guest instructor for Legacy Martial Arts. He has been in the martial arts for over 35 years and received his black belt in 1977. He was the Executive Vice President to Mr. Chuck Norris for the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) for 21 years and is currently the President of UFAF. He is a 10th-degree black belt, inducted into the United Fighting Arts Federation Hall of Fame in 2004. We are so lucky to have him!
Instructor Level: 2. Guest Instructor
Sheats, NIck
08th Degree Black Belt
Nick Sheats is an 8th-degree black belt with the Chuck Norris System and a professional gymnastics coach of 20 years. He started martial arts at age four under Mr. Chip Wright and earned his black belt when he was eight. Attending the ITC every year since 1986, he greatly loves the "family" he has grown up into. Mr. Sheats has won many tournament championships and taught kicking and tricking classes at the ITC in years past. He now lives in Las Vegas, working out at Legacy Martial Arts, Karate GGYM, and with performers from Cirque Du Soleil.
Instructor Level: 3. Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Gallacher, Kenny, Mr.
Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Kenny has been a lifelong practitioner of the Martial Arts. He started training as a very young boy, and he received his Black Belt in the Chuck Norris System in 1992 under Grand Master Chuck Norris and Grand Master Ken Gallacher. He started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2008 and was promoted to Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2022. Kenny has had the opportunity to train with a lot of jiu-jitsu champions over the years, like Carlos Machado, Richard Norton, and Jean Jacques Machado, to name a few. He is a fantastic martial artist and instructor!
Instructor Level: 4. Assistant Instructor
Cox, Megan Mrs.
02nd Degree Black Belt
She has been training at Legacy Martial Arts since 2006. In May 2013, she achieved her First Degree Black Belt. She is currently preparing for her second degree. She has competed in the local Region 2 tournament and our World Championship tournament, held in July every year. She enjoys teaching the lower belts and watching them grow in the martial arts. In addition, she enjoys hanging out with her family and friends when not training or teaching.
