School Teams

[Countess]

Hey, I was just wondering if there are any high school fencing teams out there- I was thinking about starting one at my school and I have no idea where to begin. If anyone can give me some ideas it would really be appreciated. thank you!

[longs]

There are many high schools in Northern New Jersey with teams/clubs: Morristown, Morris Hills, Morris Knolls, Ramapo, Vorhees, St. Benedicts, Somerville, just to name a few. Also a few in Central Ohio: Upper Arlington, Gahanna Linclon. Hope that helps...

[shyHeidi]

ScorpionDevil, where are you... Well, I know there are high school fencing teams 'cause I've heard about them from ScorpionDevil, and they even get together and fence other high school fencing teams and etcetera... I wish my HS had had a fencing team... <img src="graemlins/crap.gif" border="0" alt="[Crap]" />

[HilandDoug]

Countess, you are not in my Beginner's Class at Schoolcraft, are you?

Doug

[Countess]

Sorry Doug, I'm not in your class at Schoolcraft. I'm from upstate NY- not exactly near Michigan.

[HilandDoug]

I just had 3 kids from my new beginner's class ask me to help them start a club in their high school, which is 2 miles from my house. Of course I said yes. Good luck to you in upstate NY! I'll be there the weekend of June 21st to see something on Broadway.

[AndrewH]

[quote]Originally posted by longs:
<strong>There are many high schools in Northern New Jersey with teams/clubs: Morristown, Morris Hills, Morris Knolls, Ramapo, Vorhees, St. Benedicts, Somerville, just to name a few. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey, don't forget Indian Hills..... Am I in my own little world or is NJ one of the only states with a large HS program? Seems like a rather unusual place to find fencing, course we also seem to have about 1/3 of the equipment stores around here. If you really want to study a good HS program, check out Ramapo as they have consistently placed high (when they're not first) at state competitions for many years now. Millburn is another excellent team from around here. At IHHS we're more of a 9 person operation (9 is the minimum number to compete) who pulls off a win now and then, after we lost all our seniors last year.

[neevel]

[quote]Originally posted by AndrewH:
<strong>

Hey, don't forget Indian Hills..... Am I in my own little world or is NJ one of the only states with a large HS program? </strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, NJ is pretty exceptional in the number of High School programs-- a combination of the right degree of population density, and lots of effort by people like the late Tom DiCerbo in getting fencing established.

In a most other areas it's much less dense (if even there at all). For example, the Midwest High School circuit consists of maybe 10 schools (and only 6 with well-established programs) spread out between Indiana and Minnesota-- and this includes the high pop. density area from N.W. Indiana, through metro Chicago, and up into S.E. Wisconsin.

-Dave

[swordsen]

In theory there will be one HS fencing program in Georgia in about 8 weeks.
Fingers are crossed and prayers are being said....

[Cheryl]

There is also a team at Northmont HS (near Dayton, OH).
Wish there were more!

[Swordswrn]

I started a team at my high school about 5 years ago. Here are a few things that can help get the ball rolling:
-Find out how many students are already fencers and what, if any, equipment they have.
-See if any coaches or experienced fencers who are not high school students are interested. (check out the faculty at your school, the Athletics Director will like a sponsor that is also a teacher)
-Talk to your Athletics Director and see if your school gives any financial aid to sports clubs.
-If and when you do start a high school club make sure you register with the USFA and get the insurance ($165 a year) most schools in my area don't provide insurance to athletes other than football, so this could come in handy.
my website for the North Hills Fencing Club is <a href="http://nhfc0.tripod.com" target="_blank">http://nhfc0.tripod.com</a>
You can find my email on the site, if you have any questions feel free to drop me a line.
Good luck!!