Hanging up the Mask and Ending Fencing At EMU

[thebigriddle]

At some point, especially after many years, the question you have to ask yourself, should I keep fencing. I have been fencing for over 18 years. I taught Eastern Michigan University for six.

I have come to the crossroads were something has to change. Starving for ones art, and make a living. At some point burn out sets in. The worst things about teaching a university class you have little control over who is in your class. Sorry to say most college students, at least those attending EMU lack maturity enough to learn fencing, and take it seriously.

Then there is the lack of support, which I have felt all of my life. Starting with my parents, which support my sport as little as possible. Then an adminstration which gave little support for growth.

There is a point after banging your head against the wall, you say enough. I want a life, and screw those who don't care.

Then there is the rivalry in the sport between clubs, which I have never liked. A little competitive spirit is fine, a verbal attack against an organization is a joke. Talk about being unsportsmanlike.

I have worked hard to build something just to have destroyed. So at some point before it destroys you. You have to walk away, let it go, as much as you love something, you have to let it go, and it hurts.

The EMU fencing club is dead, and I don't want to revive it. The ship is lost, sank and I am not will to pull it out of the water. I was with it to the end.

[wpotere]

I'm sorry to hear that. Surly there are some good thoughts that you can pull out of all of your years of dedicated service. You have given over a vast amount of years and there is nothing wrong with wanting and if that requires you to move on then so be it, just never forget the good times that you had.

[MikeHarm]

Unfortunate. But as a former EMU fencing club member, now fencing at another club I still hope that one day another coach will come along wanting to make a fresh start and Eastern Michigan University's club will rise from the ashes like a phoenix and come back to the fencing scene.

[Morion]

If coaching at EMU is making you this miserable by all means move on. If you are unhappy with what you do then the people you are doing it with will probably be unhappy also. It doesn't mean you have to quit fencing however. Just find a private Salle to join. Once relieved of the responsibilities you might find you enjoy it again! (Just don't try to tell the club coach how to do their job.)

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Perhaps you might want to start your own private salle, and be more selective with who you let join. Since the class I teach at is publicly funded, I dont have a choice who joins, but it is frustrating when a fool joins the class, and is my responsibility to teach. I think I know what you feel in this situation.

[ZenEpeeist]

thebigriddle...

You aren't alone. I've known other people who were "burned" by running college clubs.

Don't give up on fencing. Start your own salle if you can still do it; it's much better...I found this out recently.

[glowstix]

At some point, especially after many years, the question you have to ask yourself, should I keep fencing. I have been fencing for over 18 years. I taught Eastern Michigan University for six.

I have come to the crossroads were something has to change. Starving for ones art, and make a living. At some point burn out sets in. The worst things about teaching a university class you have little control over who is in your class. Sorry to say most college students, at least those attending EMU lack maturity enough to learn fencing, and take it seriously.

Then there is the lack of support, which I have felt all of my life. Starting with my parents, which support my sport as little as possible. Then an adminstration which gave little support for growth.

There is a point after banging your head against the wall, you say enough. I want a life, and screw those who don't care.

Then there is the rivalry in the sport between clubs, which I have never liked. A little competitive spirit is fine, a verbal attack against an organization is a joke. Talk about being unsportsmanlike.

I have worked hard to build something just to have destroyed. So at some point before it destroys you. You have to walk away, let it go, as much as you love something, you have to let it go, and it hurts.

The EMU fencing club is dead, and I don't want to revive it. The ship is lost, sank and I am not will to pull it out of the water. I was with it to the end.

sounds familiar to what is happening at my school and sadly i think our club is headed down that road too. when i started fencing, there were over 20 new students but when they realized that fencing isn't just about hacking, most quit. the class i started with is now down to 2 or 3. the club as a whole is down to 4-5 and me, an E04, fencing less than 2 yrs, is now the seasoned competitor. i have no one more experienced to practice with. the newbies that come are just like you described at your school and its frustrating when our coach puts me to drill with them and i know they aren't interested in learning FENCING. this takes away from my progress. at least now i get 1 good day a week at another club but its hours away by car. this sport is great but too frustrating since it really isn't for everyone. very few have the mindset to "want to learn fencing" and stick with it. i'm one, but unfortunately, i'm the only one at my school.

[DanInMI]

At some point, especially after many years, the question you have to ask yourself, should I keep fencing. I have been fencing for over 18 years. I taught Eastern Michigan University for six.

I have come to the crossroads were something has to change. Starving for ones art, and make a living. At some point burn out sets in. The worst things about teaching a university class you have little control over who is in your class. Sorry to say most college students, at least those attending EMU lack maturity enough to learn fencing, and take it seriously.

Then there is the lack of support, which I have felt all of my life. Starting with my parents, which support my sport as little as possible. Then an adminstration which gave little support for growth.

There is a point after banging your head against the wall, you say enough. I want a life, and screw those who don't care.

Then there is the rivalry in the sport between clubs, which I have never liked. A little competitive spirit is fine, a verbal attack against an organization is a joke. Talk about being unsportsmanlike.

I have worked hard to build something just to have destroyed. So at some point before it destroys you. You have to walk away, let it go, as much as you love something, you have to let it go, and it hurts.

The EMU fencing club is dead, and I don't want to revive it. The ship is lost, sank and I am not will to pull it out of the water. I was with it to the end.

Gosh, That is a shame, I am really sorry to hear that....It seems like only a year ago that club was doing quite well....And other clubs in that area, like Liberty Lakes, have really taken off.....how long have you been there BigRiddle? And where did you fence before EMU?

[MikeHarm]

I agree that we seem to be in a growth phase in Michigan overall. I'm seeing a lot of new clubs spring up, competition getting a lot fiercer. Grand rapids particularly seems to be fielding a lot of strong youth competitors.

Isn't RFC upgrading now to a bigger venue and going from 4 to 13 strips? I was amazed how many kids they had the last time I visited for one of their friday night tourneys.

Liberty lakes I think has been sort of on the decline membership wise this year what with having to do the nomad routine moving building to building after losing their earlier location a la FAM. I think they'll turn it around with their new place, Dennis seems really motivated and hardworking as far as running it. They have an open house coming up to show off their new salle this month I think which should be fun to visit. If I remember right Riddle founded Liberty Lakes club origionally then resigned as their coach. It might of been a better bet to stick with them as opposed to the EMU club for him. I suppose hindsight is always 20/20 though.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

sounds familiar to what is happening at my school and sadly i think our club is headed down that road too. when i started fencing, there were over 20 new students but when they realized that fencing isn't just about hacking, most quit. the class i started with is now down to 2 or 3. the club as a whole is down to 4-5 and me, an E04, fencing less than 2 yrs, is now the seasoned competitor. i have no one more experienced to practice with. the newbies that come are just like you described at your school and its frustrating when our coach puts me to drill with them and i know they aren't interested in learning FENCING. this takes away from my progress. at least now i get 1 good day a week at another club but its hours away by car. this sport is great but too frustrating since it really isn't for everyone. very few have the mindset to "want to learn fencing" and stick with it. i'm one, but unfortunately, i'm the only one at my school.

Are you me? thats like my club. It my random, and frequent injuries that make it a challenge for me. I think what alot of people lack is the fightyness and the will to win. Thats what sets the people who get rankings apart from those that dont.

[glowstix]

Are you me? thats like my club. It my random, and frequent injuries that make it a challenge for me. I think what alot of people lack is the fightyness and the will to win. Thats what sets the people who get rankings apart from those that dont.

i think the problem is that, like i said before, fencing is just not for everyone. when i do drills with the newcomers they seem so overwhelmed with all the parries, tactical wheel, ROW, etc... its not the "poking people" like they expected. learning something like this is just NOT what most people want to do.

[grotto]

I agree that we seem to be in a growth phase in Michigan overall. I'm seeing a lot of new clubs spring up, competition getting a lot fiercer. Grand rapids particularly seems to be fielding a lot of strong youth competitors.

Yes I remember Sam Nemachek <sp> running around and fencing y10, now she is like an A or B!

[DanInMI]

Yes I remember Sam Nemachek <sp> running around and fencing y10, now she is like an A or B!

Samantha Nemecek is now 16. She was rated 8th in senior women (foil) the last time I checked.
I was at thier club last weekend (WMFA)
You wouldn't recognized it. It is beautiful. The nicest club facility in the state.
8 strips, locker rooms, lounge area, very well lit, brick walls and oak trim, plus a new training room with exercise equipment that will have a "gold medal strip."

[blackspruce]

Sam Nemecek is 17 now and an A fencer. Grand Rapids does have some great up and coming youth fencers! Some others to watch are the Sarkisov girls, coached by their dads (the same guy who coached Sam for 6 years!). They've started their own club/fencing school in GR, Grand Rapids Fencing Academy and it seems to have brought the competition up a notch.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

i think the problem is that, like i said before, fencing is just not for everyone. when i do drills with the newcomers they seem so overwhelmed with all the parries, tactical wheel, ROW, etc... its not the "poking people" like they expected. learning something like this is just NOT what most people want to do.

all they want to do is swashbucky. If i'm doing drills, its to learn. Most people are better suited to something simple, like racquetball or tennis. Fencing is a very complex sport, and they just dont seem to have the drive.

[SOA9286]

At my club we have a problem with that, an epeeist believes he's a pirate (he always makes remarks about it being a "real sword" and that i/we shouldn't hold it on our feet when we are observing or that we should do this or that b/c thats how pirates did it), anyway, he slashes at the opposing epee to get it out of the way. Parrying? I don't believe he's ever heard of it!

[swordsen]

So just disengage and defeat him every time he hits the strip. Buckleing swashes will only get one so far......

[DanInMI]

Sam Nemecek is 17 now and an A fencer. Grand Rapids does have some great up and coming youth fencers! Some others to watch are the Sarkisov girls, coached by their dads (the same guy who coached Sam for 6 years!). They've started their own club/fencing school in GR, Grand Rapids Fencing Academy and it seems to have brought the competition up a notch.

yeah...also great coaches!
Dayana and Rada Sarkisova, and the and Zach and Joe Williams are up and comers from that club.

[dreadfoily]

At some point, especially after many years, the question you have to ask yourself, should I keep fencing. I have been fencing for over 18 years. I taught Eastern Michigan University for six.

I have come to the crossroads were something has to change. Starving for ones art, and make a living. At some point burn out sets in. The worst things about teaching a university class you have little control over who is in your class. Sorry to say most college students, at least those attending EMU lack maturity enough to learn fencing, and take it seriously.

Then there is the lack of support, which I have felt all of my life. Starting with my parents, which support my sport as little as possible. Then an adminstration which gave little support for growth.

There is a point after banging your head against the wall, you say enough. I want a life, and screw those who don't care.

Then there is the rivalry in the sport between clubs, which I have never liked. A little competitive spirit is fine, a verbal attack against an organization is a joke. Talk about being unsportsmanlike.

I have worked hard to build something just to have destroyed. So at some point before it destroys you. You have to walk away, let it go, as much as you love something, you have to let it go, and it hurts.

The EMU fencing club is dead, and I don't want to revive it. The ship is lost, sank and I am not will to pull it out of the water. I was with it to the end.

-------------------------------------------------------

Wow, you're going through some interesting stuff here. The thing about the parents....where does this fit in? You've been a successful fencer for how many years and suddenly your parents are looming too large in your mind.
Sounds simply like a mid-life crisis? WHy not change your venue for a little while, and go on a sabbatical, or vacation.....something substantial for 4 to 6 weeks. Visiting another salle in another country? Why not join Richard's group in Hungry for the summer? Come back refreshed. Are you teaching the whole thing yourself? I still like the traditional salle model: More than one coach needs to be in attendance for beginner classes; foil and saber, and an epee coach, and the head coach, coordinating events throughout the year.

Carrying the entire load yourself is too much. Try to find a coach from another area to be your assistant coach.

[MI_Master__]

You are right about that Mr.DanInMI. Those Sarkisov sisters (cousins?) are indeed very good. The Sarkisov coaches must be very good also, becuase i have heard that not only did they coach Samantha nemecek for 7 years, but he also coached david hughes, micheal black, and many more, including even Micheal Nemecek himself! You can certainly count me as impressed.

Michigan is revolutionizing youth fencing!