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Ronin · 10-28-2002, 08:31 PM

Is anyone here from the Houston area that could reccommend someone?

***Craig*** · 10-29-2002, 11:46 AM

Check out: http://www.sallemauro.com/

Hamza is a very nice man and a good coach.

Cheers,
Craig

MattyCam · 10-29-2002, 03:59 PM

Mauro is the only guy you should take lessons from in Houston.

He is one of the best coaches in the states and avery nice guy.

Matt

neevel · 10-29-2002, 11:17 PM

I can only agree with what's been said above. The fact that none of us who've responded so far are actually from Houston should tell you something about Mauro Hamza's reputation on the national level.

-Dave

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-29-2002, 11:26 PM

...... one could also point out that he takes his position as Division Chair so seriously that the division website was last updated in October of 1999.

With that thought in mind, we should all thank Schlager7 for making his "rouge" website.

..... add to it that he has never replied to any e-mail that I've ever sent. Other than that, he pumps out some of the finest fencers in the country.

epeemike81 · 10-30-2002, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673
"rouge" website.

Can I get a link to that? I've never seen a website thats rouge before. Sounds like an interesting color scheme.

-m

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 07:58 AM

http://clfc.2itb.com/index.html

My picture is in the photo link

JEC · 10-30-2002, 09:49 AM

D'art,
Unlike most of us, Mauro spents most of his time doing fencing. He is an excellent coach, and at developmental level, he is one of the top two in the Southwest (I have to be partisan OTW I get killed). He has built up a great club with top notch fencers and recruited very good coaches. Please note that although we (my son and I) have been in his club, the great majority of the time, we are competing against them. Furthermore, Bill Trapani's son, Daniel, who will be an outstanding Epee fencer, has joined and competed for Salle Mauro. They recently moved from an older facility (meaning they were quite busy this past summer), and they might not be in the "electronic age" of communication, but they have the top competitive club of the Texas Gulf Coast.
JEC

Mergs · 10-30-2002, 10:20 AM

OK guys, I've sat on the sidelines of this thread long enough. Time for me to weigh in.

First off, I'm not going to get into a discussion of the Gulf Coast Division and its state of organization. As for the website, well, it seems no one can remember who is hosting it or what the passwords are to be able to update it. It's kind of like why Aggies can't have parties anymore, the senior with the recepie for ice graduated!

Many thanks to Schlaeger7 for his work on his semi-official division website (he took my place as Vice chair of the Division when I got mobilized and moved).

Yes, Mauro is a great coach and has become very successful. He has made a go of business in a tough enironment. And he has had to learn how to do it on the fly! I applaud him for his success. Having been a direct business competitor of his, I can admire, and appreciate, him for what he has done. Not since the mid-80's has there been a fencing organization/business of his size or caliber in the Houston area. And, yes, his salle is where I go to take lessons and practice for competitions. BTW I have started and run two clubs in the Houston area. And I was a division officer when the decision was made to help bring him into the Houston area.

All that being said, I would like to say that Houston is a very BIG town and depending on how much you like to drive, i.e. where you live, what level of lessons you want to take, how much you want to pay, etc. there are places to fence in the southeast (Clear Lake Fencers and Galveston), in the north (Knights of Trapani), in the west (Katy Blades, I think), in the center (Salle Mauro and Bayou City Fencing) of town. As well as 3 university and one highschool programs. I would suggest you check them all out. The UnOfficial Gulf Coast Division website has links or contact info to all the clubs I've mentioned. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 12:14 PM

As for the website, well, it seems no one can remember who is hosting it or what the passwords are to be able to update it. It's kind of like why Aggies can't have parties anymore, the senior with the recepie for ice graduated

Well, that is understandable, I know that I forget things all the time. However, find another place to host the blooming thing! I host my website out of my own pocket. If I'm smart, I'll get around to putting my site on Craig's system for 1/12th of the price I am paying now

Hey, he could also add the division information to his own website, which stays very up-to-date.

Okay, here's the bottom line. I don't know Mauro, I have never met him. I understand that he has a very skilled club because he's a premium fencer himself and he keeps a strong staff. If he wishes to have a powerful club and charge premium money for lessons, that is fine with me. We live in a capitalistic society. My gripe? (1) No website to keep communication. Little 'ole Spindletop sits out in the sticks and would not know anything were it not for Schlager7.

(2) I send several e-mails to Mauro's address, no responce ever. I am not sending long e-mails arguing style or technique (I leave that for here

) Rather its more like, Hi, I am so and so from such and such club, I see that you have a tournament listed for such and such date. As it comes available, could you send me information as to time, registration, place etc.

I can e-mail any other oragnization and they will at least respond! I just get the impression that I am looked on as some little peon who isn't worth responding to.

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 12:17 PM

One more thing to add about sending e-mails. I have tried more than one account or method. Mauro has a personal e-mail account on his website which I tried. He also has a form system which asks how you would like to be contacted, via e-mail, post office or phone. Neither of them have ever gotten a responce.

JEC · 10-30-2002, 12:21 PM

D'art
As I recall, I only have emailed Mauro once and got a response in a couple of days. If you are looking at outdated websites, maybe you sent him an email to an outdated server. I will dig it up, but I bet you that the email in his club website is updated.
JEC
FYI: I'm also a peon including in the fencing world!

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 12:43 PM

JEC, I used the e-mail on his Salle' Mauro site. Maybe he just has a particular dislike for the Cavaliers

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 12:51 PM

JEC,

Are you going to be able to make the Clear Lake Open event on Nov. 9?

JEC · 10-30-2002, 01:18 PM

No, I'll be in DC for work.

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-30-2002, 01:21 PM

Thats a shame. Oh well, I may make the Poujardeau Memorial since I'll be in Austin on business that week.

Ronin · 10-30-2002, 01:22 PM

Mergs- are you Michael Mergans? Former coach over at Clear Lake Fencing Club? I e-mailed one of the coaches (Brown I believe) about whether or not you guys had a sabre program over there seeing as how I live in Friendswood and havent heard back from him yet, then again I only e-mailed him yesterday. Do you know if they have a good beginner/intermediate sabre program? when I was fencing before I had just started learning sabre and wanted to pick it back up. Any info would be great

Mergs · 10-31-2002, 10:59 AM

D'art - I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble communicating with Mauro. Can't really help you on that score. As for the website thing, as my generation found out the HARD way is that in order to effect change, you have to do it from the inside. If John's unofficial official website is not giving you enough information, contact John. Or better yet, why don't you offer to maintain it? That way you'll be sure to be kept in the loop. Just a suggestion.

JEC - Where are you going to be in DC? Maybe we could get together.

Ronnin - First off, it's Merg Ens (sorry personal peeve), but yes I am the former Coach of CLFC. They have a small saber program, I am not sure how advanced it is. I know the club president, Don Cravey has taken it up, so there may be a bit more. Actually, Schlaeger7 would know more about it since he is an active member. Mauro also is about the only place of all the ones I mentioned that has a regular saber program. From Friendswood the best route to take would be up 288 to Loop 610 tp Stella Link to Bellaire. Good luck.

D'Artagnan1673 · 10-31-2002, 11:08 AM

Ah don't worry about it, Mergs. I just get a little burnt up when people start bragging about how nice a person is when that same person won't even write something simple back. Actually Schlager7's site is really nice. He's more apt to maintain the site since he's right there in the thick of things. He does a real good job of making things personal.

I am going to Kingswood tommorow after to work to get into the thick of things with the Knights of Trapani. I am pretty excited to fence some new people. Things are a little stale at Spindletop with such a small crew. Still, you gotta love jolly 'ole Peter.

Mergs · 10-31-2002, 11:30 AM

I understand the frustration. Kind of like mailing out scads of Christmas cards to relatives and not getting any in return. Obviously focus is somewhere else.

Have fun fencing Bill and Company.