Collegiate Fencing in the US

[AthleticQuest]

Hi there. I'm trying to find out some information about fencing at the collegiate level. Forgive my ignorance about the sport, but I am specifically looking to find out:

1) Are there collegiate sponsored fencing programs (NCAA, NAIA, etc. Not club sports)?
2) If so, are there "positions" or specific events that collegiate fencers participate in? (i.e. Basketball has Point Guards and Small Forwards, Swimming has the 200m freestyle and 100m Backstroke, etc.) Are there similar specific types of events for fencing?

The reason I'm asking: My company is designing a college recruiting system for high school athletes, and would like to include fencing as one of the sports student-athletes can register for. In order to do so, I need to know any specific events or requirements for collegiate fencing. I've tried looking up college programs, but the only ones I can find are clubs, which unfortunately we can't use. I've been waiting 3 weeks for a response from the NCAA, so I figured I'd turn to the experts.

Any info you could provide, even if it's just a link to additional info would be most helpful. Thanks!

[DangerMouse]

There are NCAA sponsored teams. The categories are Foil, Epee, and Saber each split into men and women.

http://www.ncaasports.com/fencing/

I like the idea of your company. I think it will help a lot of students find programs they are interested in.

[AthleticQuest]

Thanks Dangermouse, that's exactly what I needed. (although I'm not sure how I managed to miss the NCAA site!) We're hoping to help athletes in all sports play at the collegiate level. It's much easier when you're in one of the major sports (basketball, football, baseball, etc.) to find a program, but finding schools that offer some of the lesser known sports (fencing, field hockey, lacrosse, crew, etc.) can be quite a challenge for many athletes.

Thanks again for the info!

[DangerMouse]

I wish there had been an organization like your when I was looking for schools. I spent countless hours looking into which of my picks had a program and who was coaching them.

[esskreemr]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...341750-4791006

[swordsen]

Wow. I wonder how up to date that book is. I think I will have to buy one just to have it.

[esskreemr]

Originally Posted by swordsen

Wow. I wonder how up to date that book is. I think I will have to buy one just to have it.

They had one at Walden's books here in WV. The cost is a little pricey but it lists clubs as well as varsity programs. It seems to be pretty thorough...