Student Needs Advice About Starting a Fencing Team At College

[mgriffinwalters]

I am a student at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. I, along with many other students of all sorts of ability level are very interested in starting a fencing team or club at our school, but don't know where to begin. Navigating the beauracracy of the school to start a new club is one thing. However, we need advice on what to do once a club is actually formed. We will likely be budgeted 250 dollars and will have at least 10 members. With these limited resources, how would any of you recommend that we get started? Does anyone know any contacts who could help us perhaps? Has anyone else started a fencing club at their school? What did you do to get started? Any help that anyone could offer would be very useful. Thanks.

[Aestro]

I haven't started a club, but I've been Vice-President (acting as President for most of the time) here at UT-Knoxville for a year and a half now, so have some experience.

Sorry to say it, but you'll probably need more money than that. RecSports here at UTK takes care of it, but you should look up the Intermurals office there and try and find some help. Odds are you won't start off as an official sport. With any luck, they'll help you find a place to start off and also give you some sort of school-funded budget, best-case scenario. Naturally, you will want to set a reasonable monthly or per-semester fee for all members.

Money is the key to setting up a club, ESPECIALLY a college club. Since you'll probably all be students, one or more of you will have to train new fencers, and your club will need a decent armoury. New fencers will be the life and blood since most of your members will only be there for 4 or 5 years, tops. People are much more willing to try it out if they won't have to sink $200 into it right away. Granted, the form/footwork drills usually weed out most of our new classes, but we still have some fencers of 2 years or more without their own gear, and might not be able to afford their own.

You could perhaps skip on gloves or weapons and simply do a group order near the beginning of the semester - something that is cheap enough for most people to afford without being too serious an investment right off like a full set would be.

Another idea might be to ask around at any other clubs in the area (I know New Jersey has many clubs) and ask if they have any older equipment they might donate or sell at a discounted price. The USFA website has a somewhat up-to-date listing of clubs. Also be sure and offer to buy old equipment off of your members if they order something new, and perhaps contact any local vendors (once again, New Jersey has a few) and ask if they might be willing to give a discount.

[shmagoogin77]

i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in
college

[Talyn]

Originally posted by shmagoogin77
i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in
college

I personally know plenty of people have started fencing at college a few years a go and are still active participants in team and individual competitions.

[hscoach]

njfencing.org The NJ Division is a strong division and they might be able to help you some. You might be able to rent machines at a low cost from them.
I also know many people who started fencing for the first time in college.

[Strytllr]

not try fencing in college??!?

You've got to be kidding me! When I was in college, every fencer we had save one had never tried fencing before then. I think that fencing in college is a wonderful time to start, though I wish I had been able to much earlier. You have to remember that in some out of the way places (like where I grew up), there is no chance to learn fencing until you get to a university that (hopefully) has a program.

The USFA also has had some grants in the past to help new clubs buy gear. I'm not sure if they still do, but you can might be able to find out more by going to the USFA website or emailing them to see. Or perhaps someone else might know if they're still doing that.

Good Luck.

Oh, and you'll probably have to find a coach. A little thing, I'm sure.

[Katman]

Originally posted by shmagoogin77
i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in
college

Malarky.

[Regret d'Vie]

Originally posted by shmagoogin77
i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in
college

I'll go out on a limb and say that -- at least until a few years ago -- more Americans learned to fence in college -- or at least through a college club -- than in any other environment.

Perhaps that's a bit overstated due to the old private clubs on both coasts, but it's still a significant percentage. This is certainly still true in the many areas that have no private clubs but do have an accredited college course and/or university club. For example, since I stopped teaching privately (even then I had, at most, 15 students/yr.), I teach 20-25 fencers/semester through the local university class (some of whom become club members), and the club will usually have 5 or so "walk-ins"/semester in addition to that. To my knowledge, there is no other fencing instruction within 90 miles, and that's at another university in a town with no private club.

Check out my "national champions who learned to fence in college" follow-up question (in its own thread).

[Regret d'Vie]

Great advice, Aestro.

A few more suggestions, off the top of my head:

1. Find faculty who were fencers in college. Trust me, they're there. You'll probably need one for your club "advisor" or "sponsor" anyway. They may be able to introduce you to contacts that will eventually gain you funding, facilities, etc. Invite them to club to observe practice and meet the members. Encourage them to take up fencing again (a history professor at our university has done so.) Ask them to emcee the awards ceremony at any tournaments you host. If you have a fund-raising banquet (ambitious, but possibly profitable), ask them to preside over it. Involve them, excite them, and expose them to the public as much as possible, as they can be helpful in a variety of ways.

2. As Aestro suggested, locate other clubs. Start with -- but don't limit yourself to -- the USFA web site: Some clubs eschew USFA fencing, while others simply allow their USFA membership to lapse and therefore are not listed on the USFA site. Search the Net. There are several good fencing club directories (start with Yahoo's fencing categories to find them), but Googling may still be your best bet here. Once you find them, see if its instructors or advanced fencers would be willing to teach your members to help you get on your feet. Travel to their place if necessary. Ask these more advanced fencers lend a hand by doing some demonstration bouts at car washes (hard work and cliché, but good money makers -- fencers will draw many drivers that don't stop for girls in bikinis, and even some that do) and other fund-raising events. Also attempt to arrange demonstrations at student orientations, on student move-in days, etc. in order to attract new members. If your local theatre shows slide-ads before films, get one for your club in -- make sure it has an appealing action shot and you specify "no experience or equipment necessary" (if you can). Lots of women take my university class, but it's much more difficult to get them dedicated to the club, so work that demographic, as it's an untapped resource. When you have some experience, enlist the advanced fencers from other clubs and arrange an interactive demo at your local high-schools. It probably will help very little now, but the juniors and seniors that come through will remember you when they see "fencing" on the freshman orientation handouts and some will check that box or seek you out as a result.

3. Don't stop fund-raising. I suggest that you have at least one fund-raising event every month. You'll need plenty of cash, especially when you're starting from scratch. Remember not every club member needs to participate in every event: fund-raising is time-consuming and otherwise exhausting. Brainstorm for ideas. Bakes sales, raffles, and -- as mentioned above -- car washes seem to go over well in our area. Best time to have bake sales is in the morning in the bottom-floor lobbies of your campuses busiest building, if your college will allow that. Sell "sponsorships" to your tournaments -- print tournament programs with short team and individual bios, sell ads (w/coupons if possible) in the program, then distribute them to all fencers who show, as well as anyone walking outside the venue. Restaurants close to your fencing venue are your best bets in this regard.

[Regret d'Vie]

A few more suggestions:

1. If your university has a theatre on campus, lobby the SGA (or whoever is responsible for getting films in) to snag a modern swashbuckler. Subsidize the cost with fencing club funds if you can and must. Supplement the usual theatre advertising with your own, taking care to mention that information on UT-Martin fencing will be available in the lobby after the show (and before, if possible). Set up a fencing information booth (weapons, flyers, USFA "How to watch fencing" pamphlets, etc.) and man it with uniformed fencers. You may even be able to arrange a live demonstration here. Nearly every student that walks out of the theatre will be a potential new member, and many will be there with their boyfriend/girlfriend. (Sometimes couples sign if they both have any level of interest -- it's something they can do together. You'll usually lose one or the other due to breakup. ) Many people (sheep) are more likely to get involved if they have a friend or two that will take the plunge with them.

2. As much as I think that "team fencing" is an unnatural concept, you may want to consider organizing "home-and-home" matches with novices from nearby universities, especially your school's natural geographical rivals. Even though you're not an officially sponsored sport, I can all but guarantee you that your school newspaper will drop by for a photograph to print with the result. (You have to give them a call to let them know it's happening, of course.)

3. Once you've acquired some skill, fence on-campus. If you have a "quad," fence there. We have a pedestrian bridge that connects the North and South side of the campus across a main road, and used to fence there from time-to-time. Again, a good way to get your picture in the paper. Also a good way to get Public Safety called on you. (Seriously, happened to us semi-regularly). Fence on large building balconies (carefully), and in courtyards. Use wisdom of course. Don't endanger people and tromp flowers, but get out in the public. You'll get plenty of questions and occasionally get a newbie. Hold a one-touch epee tournament outside on campus.

[shmagoogin77]

ok

[benjt]

I started up a uni club this year, though i am across the pond from you. You have the most important thing already and thats 10, at least I hope, enthusiastic fencers. I started out with 2 of us and now I have a almost fully kitted out club of 20 members and growing.

Push for club status by your uni its the best way to get fundding, with my uni it got me acsses to a coach.
Beg and borrow for kit, I had to use my contacts with other clubs to get me started before we had any funding.
Set up freindlies with outher clubs, makes u look more officail and is a cheap way to get electric practise if you don't have any yet.
Start looking 4 cheap kit, if u do look around u can normaly find it its amasing how far u can streach your budget I found masks 4 £3 ($5) and jackets 4 £5 ($8). (uses ebay if u trust it)
When it comes to coaching if none of you have any experience have a chat with your coach or any in the area I'm sure they'll give u some advise. Have a think about games and coaching 4 limited equipment there are plenty of things u can do, if u want to know more just ask.
If u havn't done so already form a commitee, your uni shoud have a basic commitee structure u can follow.

Finally just keep trying and keep pushing you'll get there in the end. Good Luck

[kix_jgn]

regret d'vie had lots of worthy suggestions already....

in our fencing class (in college), there were more than 25 members and most if not all were beginners...so, for your club, you need a COACH who will teach the basic stance of fencing: leg works and hand movements; and who will contact fencing clubs in your area so that your teammates can prefence with more experienced fencers (the best way to learn fencing is to fence) next what to use: some of us started on STICKS(thinner than that of arnis but with the length that of a real fencing sword)--you would have to hold it like that of a French grip... then procure at least 2 swords fit to have a bout...do fund-raising or get SPONSORS, and then buy more... contact other CLUBS and PRE-FENCE..join the NOVICE and Interclub or interschool competitions.

(Don't do everything by yourself...your teammates would gladly help if they are dedicated enough)

[Army Fencer]

shmagoogin77, you are a troll.

Anyway, you geographically fit into the MACFA (Mid-Altantic Collegiate Fencing Association, men's fencing) and NIWFA (...for the women) leagues of college fencing. Dick Oles used to be the point of contact for the MACFA, but I'm not sure who it is now.

Good luck.

[U.M.Amherst.Sabre95]

"i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in college..."

Well, I guess I'm the exception to the rule then. My first experience with fencing came via a one-credit Physical Education course at the Univ. of Massachusetts. From there I decided to check out the associated club, eventually finding my way onto the UMass Team.

My main motivation for registering: I thought the uniform looked cool and I imagined it would be something interesting to try - I had just missed out on making the men's soccer team as well, so there was an athletic/competitive component that appealed to me as well.

Some twelve-pus years later I can't imagine not having done it.

[DHCJr]

There are a number of All-Americans who would have to disagree with you on the statement "i dont think anyone who hasnt ever tried fencing would try it in college..."
. Long Beach State had a number All-Americans including their first, whose first experience in Fencing was a beginning Foil Class at Long Beach State. Most of those became All-American in Epee.

P.S. I didn't try it until my 3rd year of college. Now I didn't become an All-American, but I did participate at an Olympics and a number of World Championships.