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
co-owner | 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
Professor Kory Acchione began his jiu-jitsu career at The Academy (then Madama Jiu-Jitsu) back in 2006 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.
Professor Kory teaches the Advanced Adult Jiu-Jitsu and Competition classes, focusing on the finer details on executing fundamentals as well as introducing more technical and situational techniques into the game.
Professor Kory describes his jiu-jitsu as having an active guard which you would typically find in smaller jiu-jitsu players while having a heavy pressure and body lock style passing from on top.
Professor Kory received his Black Belt in 2016 from Professor Josh Madama and received his first degree in 2019. In addition to his jiu-jitsu proficiency, Professor Kory has over 20 years of boxing experience, a certified defensive tactics and tactical handcuffing instructor, and has been in law enforcement for nearly 20 years.
Professor Ray Nieves
Brazilian JIU-JITSU Instructor | STriking INSTRUCTOR
Professor Raymond Nieves picked up Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2005 while attending college in Pennsylvania. After returning to the Toms River area in 2007, Professor Ray joined The Academy and began training under Professor Josh Madama. Professor Rays describes his jiu-jitsu as being scientific - based in anatomical mechanics and principles - he will continually experiment with what is tried and true to find efficiencies or explore different avenues of attack.
Professor Ray received his Black Belt in 2016 from alongside Professor Kory.
Professor Ray’s wife, Miriam is also a student at the Academy, a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, Miriam is also an avid Muay Thai practitioner. Off the mats, Professor Ray enjoys salt water fishing.
Professor Vinny Antinozzi
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
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 Freddy Pontoriero
Wrestling for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Professor Freddy started wrestling at 7 years old and won the NJ Kids State Title at 8 in the 53lb weight class. During his wrestling career he would achieve 3x District 24 Champion, 3x Region 6 place winner, and 2x NJ State Qualifier, solidifying a lifetime record of 96-20. Freddy now teaches kids wrestling for the Toms River Wrestling Club.
Professor Freddy began training at The Academy in mid-2010s and holds 3-0 Amateur MMA record and is a 4x Men-of-War Submission Winner during his tenure. He teaches our Wrestling for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, focusing on integrating wrestling into BJJ.
Professor Freddy’s grappling has a sense of constant fluidity between his wrestling and jiu-jitsu. At times it will be slow and deliberate, and then in the next moment, an agile switch of position creating a scramble.
Professor Freddy received his Black Belt from Professors Jim, Kory, & Ray in October 2022. In addition to his decorated grappling career, Freddy is also a small business owner and has a rescue-dog named Homie who is quite the gentleman.
Kru Sandi McCormick
STRIKING INSTRUCTOR
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.
Kru Kyle Miller
Striking Instructor | front desk manager
Kru Kyle Miller has over 15 years experience in various martials arts, including: Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Currently he holds the rank of black arm band in Muay Thai under Kru Mike Lanzano and is an amateur kickboxer for the World Class Kickboxing Championship. Kyle joined The Academy team in 2013 and began teaching soon after. In addition to his instructing duties, Kyle is the friendly Front Desk Manager and the guy to ask about programs and offerings!
Kyle is also a NASM certified personal trainer and Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Specialist.