Starting a High School Fencing Club in Ohio

[egirl1123]

As many of you have probably noticed, Ohio doesn't have a large fencing base. They have three registered clubs on this website, and none are really feasible to get to. Many of my friends and I want to start a fencing club at our high school. I've spoken to my principal, and she said it's very possible (our school is really open to student-based activities) but it might be better to make it a team. If it ends up being a club, we will all have to pay a fee to participate, and have beginner sessions. If anyone wants to continue, they would have to get an actual fencing set instead of borrrowing equipment, and we could compete from there. If it is a team, then the school would fund it, and a coach would cut the ones who couldn't make it. For either scenario, we still need a coach. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find one, or to help make this club possible? I live in Northeastern Ohio, by the way.

I've taken a lesson with the only fencing instructor in the area, and he was an amazing fencer, ballroom dancer, and karate instructor in his day, as he has taught movie stars, learned from Fred Astaire, and has won thousands of awards, but he is now 73, and has suffered a stroke. He isn't consistent in his teaching, or in his speaking. A high school wouldn't have patience for him, and it's very hard to learn from him.

[Spidermonkey]

The Northern Ohio Division website, northernohiofencing.com, has a complete list of the area USFA clubs. Many of the coaches from these clubs have been involved in coaching at Cleveland State and Case Western. Depending on where you high school is, I might be able to give you better information.