Musings on National Champioships Past

[mike morgan]

Do many of you remember the 50's, 60's, 70's, when there were no Div 1a, Div 11, or Div 111, classifications in the National Championships? There was only one which today would be labeled Div 1. (Exclusive of the Under- 19 events.) Also at that time top ranking classifications were quite hard to earn. Except for National Championships there were not many competitions where an A ranking could be attained.

Perhaps that's what made fencing in US National Championships so very, very special. One could easily have a defending national champion, national finalist, or Olympic team member in an early pool.

I vividly remember fencing at my first Nationals in 1962. This was held at the Park Sheridan Hotel in New York, and I was an absolutely awed 15 year old foilist. In my second round pool my first bout was against the legendary Albie Axelrod, who in Rome in 1960 won the bronze medal in foil.

Well, the referee called, "en garde, ready, fence!". I couldn't move. I swear I forgot what a foil was, much less how to use it. The bout--if one could call it that--mercifully ended swiftly. But afterwards, Albie put his arm around my shoulder and gave me heartfelt encouragement and advice.
I never forgot what Albie told me. Or his kindness.

Three years later in 1965 I made first National Championship Epee Final placing 5th.

In 1968, I made my second National Epee Individual Final. Our pool was comprised of 9 fencers--all A's. Three were two former National Epee Champions, and one would become National Champion. Four were Olympians. And five of the finalists were from my own fencing Club,
Salle Csiszar. It was among the hardest finals I ever participated in. Paul Pesthy won the National Championship--his third straight. I tied for third, finishing fourth on touches.

The 1968 Epee final was a microcosm of the entire 1968 Championship--a superb test of fencing from beginning to end. And a remarkable opportunity to fence in one tournament a variety of outstanding fencers.

[jeff]

Great post, Mike. Just slightly before my time A microcosm of that was in the Met division Opens of the day, where you might have most of the US team in the final round. I made my C (there were no D or E categories then, and no year suffix) after fencing Uriah Jones, Bob Russell, and Neal Cohen. Making an A or B was really tough when you needed 1st place to make the A, and 2nd or 3rd to make a B, and you had several Olympic team members in the finals...

[edew]

I, for one, welcome our new regionalized, skills category separated, age range bracketed competition overlords.

[Inquartata]

I remember those days---just barely. My first Nationals was in 1987, and though they weren't in my pool Westbrook, Mormando and Lofton were all fencing...

[CaptCosmo1]

I, for one, welcome our new regionalized, skills category separated, age range bracketed competition overlords.

By casting a larger net with many achievable goals we open the sport to more competitors. When I started in soccer in Colorado in the 70's I actually played on a new team in a new league. I was later on the first year team of our high school's new soccer program. Some states already had soccer but ours and others didn't. Now look where soccer has evolved. It seems the US' international soccer position has grown along with the wider range of players coming up through the ranks.

I'd like to think we're on the verge of a fencing boom. I'm sure some of the growth inhibitors have been covered in other threads here and no doubt some finer aspects of our sport will be lost to the masses, but I suspect the hobbiests will continue to enjoy and enhance our sport and the filtering up to Olympic competitors will grow even stronger...

Lunge Away,
Cosmo

[mike morgan]

By casting a larger net with many achievable goals we open the sport to more competitors. When I started in soccer in Colorado in the 70's I actually played on a new team in a new league. I was later on the first year team of our high school's new soccer program. Some states already had soccer but ours and others didn't. Now look where soccer has evolved. It seems the US' international soccer position has grown along with the wider range of players coming up through the ranks.

I'd like to think we're on the verge of a fencing boom. I'm sure some of the growth inhibitors have been covered in other threads here and no doubt some finer aspects of our sport will be lost to the masses, but I suspect the hobbiests will continue to enjoy and enhance our sport and the filtering up to Olympic competitors will grow even stronger...

Lunge Away,
Cosmo

Yes, indeed! It's been a pleasure to watch fencing's tremendous, and continuing, growth over almost 50 years. And in Southwest Florida we are now attempting to bring fencing to the public school sytems in our five contiguous counties.

My musings were not opinions or suggestions to return fencing to another era. They were only reflections on our ever changing, wonderful, life-long sport.

[CaptCosmo1]

Yes, indeed! It's been a pleasure to watch fencing's tremendous, and continuing, growth over almost 50 years. And in Southwest Florida we are now attempting to bring fencing to the public school sytems in our five contiguous counties.

My musings were not opinions or suggestions to return fencing to another era. They were only reflections on our ever changing, wonderful, life-long sport.

My mask's off to you. Your achievments and experiences enrich our sport.

I'm very curious about your approach to unifying multiple counties while introducing fencing into the public schools. What are the biggest hurtles? What were the unexpected windfalls? Do you use a charter or plan?

Regards,
Cosmo

[mike morgan]

My mask's off to you. Your achievments and experiences enrich our sport.

I'm very curious about your approach to unifying multiple counties while introducing fencing into the public schools. What are the biggest hurtles? What were the unexpected windfalls? Do you use a charter or plan?

Regards,
Cosmo

Thanks, CaptCosmo1, for your kind words and encouragement.

We are just beginning the process. First, our club is the only fencing club in Southwest Floirida and we attract students from our entire region. For several years our club has given numerous fencing demonstrations in our county (Lee) and the three county's which border us: Charlotte, Collier, and Hendry. We've also had very good success with many of our fencers from public high schools getting into top-notch academic and fencing colleges. This has brought good publicity to the County and to the individual high schools.

Many of the high school guidance counselors are actively supporting our efforts which they see as helping create a 'well-rounded' student. Also, in 1993 Ft. Myers hosted the US National Fencing Championships which was very successful, generating excellent publicity and wide-spread interest in fencing. And the 2005 World Veteran's Fencing Championships will be held in Tampa which is less than a two hour drive from Ft. Myers. Our two local papers are most supportive, and have written long profiles on the many benefits of fencing

I've also sought advice from the members of FENCING.NET and have received very helpful input from many wise folks who gave been successful in starting fencing in both private public schools. (Please see the thread on FENCING.NET DISCUSSION–Bringing fencing into a public school system.)

We're optimistic and eager to move forward. I'll be delighted to keep you informed as to our progress!!

Thanks, again!