Started a college club

[FreshPrinceofEWU]

I just joined my schools fencing club and we are in the same boat as past posters in this thread. I found a lot of good ideas though and i'm going to take them to the other members and see what they think. Hopefully we can get off the ground a bit.

[rburch]

I'm in the radford club, and thought I'd post a quick update...

We had an okay year if a little chaotic. We've had 3 presidents (long story, don't ask) We've had members compete in 2 USFA tournaments, and a college one.

In two of those we had members compete who had never even seen an electric strip before...

We had a core group of about 6 people who were at almost every practice, not great, but it's a start. Oh, one of that 6 is transfering to Virginia Tech next year too.

The collegiate competitions are hard because myself and one other member of the 6 aren't students.

So we have one foil fencer, (mesulater) and when our current VP/ next year's President gets back from study abroad we'll have 2 female epee fencers. For USFA we can add one Sabre/Epee fencer, and myself a Epee/foil fencer.

We're charging more next year to get some income, and our main goals are to get an electric strip and get sports club status (we just didn't have enough members this year, oh and the rugby coach was worried about the safety of fencing) Anyway, that's my take on this year, Mike if you see anything I missed or got wrong just fill us in...

[Wafath]

All of this sounds par-for-the-course for a developing college club.

In addition to your plans, I suggest that you start planning for next year:

- Work your contacts and ask yourself "Where are we going to compete next year?" I suggest, as a goal, you aim for four competitions, two in the fall, two in the spring. Figure out your travel constraints and your limitations, and find events that fit in those parameters. College is great, but even a USFA event that you go to as a team may do. I suggest you try to get at least one overnight travel gig. These help a team bond.

- On the first practice of the fall, the one where you get all of those bright-eyed freshmen wandering by wondering "What is this fencing thing?", your first, immediate message to them should be:

"Welcome to fencing. We are a team, and we want you to be one of us. We have a GREAT schedule this year. If you train hard, YOU will be representing our school in X weeks at Y. It's going to be FUN!

"Ok, first lesson, footwork...."

In other words, exaggerate. Convince them that this club is well organized, that you know what you are doing. Talk up the schedule that experienced fencers may sneer at. MAKE THE SALE!

- continue developing contacts with your neighbors in collegiate and USFA fencing. No one is obligated to help you, but people are more likely to extend a hand to someone they have met and talked with than an another anonymous collegiate club.

W

[rburch]

Thanks for the advice Wafath, I'm actually planning on doing a lot of that.

Fencing with the Virginia Tech club over the summer, and probably on mondays next year.

We'll have at least four competitions to go to, 2 USFA at virginia tech (about 20 miles from radford) and then those fencers who are actually students should go to a collegiate tourney in the fall and again in the spring.

We have a club fair here every fall, and plan to use it to our advantage. I'd love to have a strip set up, but not sure if we'd have enough space. Oh, we'd also need a strip.

Still think we'll be in pretty good shape next year,

Ryan

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by rburch

Oh, we'd also need a strip.

Just a suggestion (I'm not up on local politics), maybe try asking if you can borrow a strip from Virginia Tech, the Virginia Division or a local club?

My experience has been that fencers are often willing to lend a helping hand to another fencer. If you start now then you have a few months to set something up.

[mesulater]

I pretty much run the radford club these days. I really havent told anyone in the club yet, but we now have a scorring machine and floor cords. It was donated to us by a club I fence for.


All we need now are reels. I am waiting to hear back from blade on a new reel set they are planning on selling. http://www.blade-fencing.com/store/item.htm?itemid=569

[rburch]

Originally Posted by mesulater

I pretty much run the radford club these days. I really havent told anyone in the club yet, but we now have a scorring machine and floor cords. It was donated to us by a club I fence for.


All we need now are reels. I am waiting to hear back from blade on a new reel set they are planning on selling. http://www.blade-fencing.com/store/item.htm?itemid=569

Really!!!!!!

I'm okay now, but that's awesome.

[SJCFU#2]

Originally Posted by mesulater

All we need now are reels. I am waiting to hear back from blade on a new reel set they are planning on selling.

Russian-made systems have not had the best reputation in the past. However this looks like a bungee system so perhaps it can avoid some of the problems that plagued the Russian "Land Mine" reels.

You might also consider simply making your own bungee system. I'm guessing it's safe to assume that you are both familiar with the thread on portable bungee systems (you've both posted there). There is a lot of decent information there, it just needs someone to do some digging and pull out the better ideas.

PM me if you do decide to build your own bungee system - I might be able to offer some advice.

One other thing that you may want to keep in mind - the USFA's current lease on the equipment for use at NAC's and Nationals is due to expire soon. Once this happens Blue Gauntlet will probably be selling refurbished Uhlmann reels at a significant discount.