Dale Lehman started the Odessa Boys Club Judo Team in 1964, and led the team known around the United States in state and national championships as “OBC Judo.” Michael McCleery became Dale’s judo student in 1965 as an 11-year-old boy. In 1973, Michael McCleery spent two years training in Japan where he earned his 1st Degree Black Belt. In 1976, he returned to Japan for two more years of intense judo training and competition where he earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt.
In 1980 the United States Olympic Judo Organization chose 8 elite competitors from each weight division from around the United States to train daily at the United States Olympic Training Center for 4 years. Michael McCleery was one of those chosen. During Michael’s 59 years of judo, he stacked up over 200 medals and trophies along with titles at major tournaments such as 13 Gold Medals, 4 Silver Medals and 3 Bronze Medals in the Texas State Championships. 2 Gold Medals and 1 Bronze Medal in the National Masters Championships. 4 Gold Medals in the Florida State Judo Games. 2 Bronze Medals in the U.S. Olympic Pre-Trial Games. 1 Gold Medal at the Mexico City Goodwill Game, 2 Gold Medals at the American Canadian Championships, and 5 Gold Medals in the Los Vegas Judo Games.
On September 16, 2013, Dale Lehman passed the position of head coach of OBC Judo to Michael McCleery. On September 10, 2018, USA Judo promoted Michael McCleery to 7th Degree Black Belt.
On September 26, 2024, Michael McCleery passed the position of head coach of OBC Judo to Francisco Lira. Francisco Lira has been with OBC Judo since 2002 and has trained under Dale Lehman and Michael McCleery. This makes Sensei Francisco Lira, 3rd Degree Black Belt, the third Head Coach in OBC Judo’s 60-year history and John Taylor, 5th Degree Black Belt, is still serving as Team Manager.
On September 26, 2024, Michael McCleery passed the Head Coach of OBC Judo to Francisco Lira. This makes Sensei Francisco Lira, 3rd Degree Black Belt, the third Head Coach in OBC Judo’s 60-year history. (Courtesy Photo)Francisco Lira moved from Eagle Pass, Texas, to Odessa in 1997 before starting his judo training at OBC Judo under Dale Lehman and Michael McCleery in 2003.
Francisco has also been cross-training in BJJ Jujitsu to improve his ground game.
Francisco began competing in the Senior Divisions in 2005 at local and state judo tournaments collecting 10 medals and trophies; 1 Gold Medal at the Mose Woodson Classic, 1 Gold Medal at the Alamo Judo Classic, 1 Gold Medal at the Texas Brown Belt Championships, 1 Silver Medal at the Border Classic, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal at the Go Shibata Memorial at Texas A&M, and 1 Bronze at the Lone Star Classic.
Francisco became a USA Judo Certified Judo Coach in 2010 and has continued to share his love for the sport of judo by helping coach students at OBC Judo. Francisco teaches an adult class twice and sometimes three times a week.
A 500-page book on the 60-year history of Odessa Boys & Girls Club Judo Team with over a thousand photos is available on Amazon. If you were a student of OBC Judo during the past 60 years your photo might be in the book.
