U.S. Fencing - The Official Website of the U.S. Fencing Association - President's Corner

There is much good news to share within the United States Fencing Association! And, so, here is the first Good News Letter, which we hope to make a monthly communication to all USFA members. The headline font is in “Elephant” because we hope the news will be big and be memorable!

The first Super Youth Competition of the season was held in Massachusetts with excellent organization, good turnout, and fine competitors. The request for proof of birth presented some delay at check-in but, as this process goes forward, many of our young athletes will already be in the USFA system and will never again have to justify their ages as they move through the Cadet and Junior ranks.

George Masin, USFA outstanding epee competitor both nationally and internationally for over four decades, has been a long-time collector of fencing data and memorabilia. He is currently undertaking a project to document all performances of all Olympic athletes from all countries since the modern Olympics of 1896. A preview was presented to the International Fencing Federation (FIE) at a recent meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. Full documentation to date will be made available to all 121 FIE member countries at the Junior/Cadet World Championships in Belek, Turkey in April and on the USFA website.

Our sport has always relied heavily on the efforts and long hours of volunteers. Their reward is the appreciation that the membership can show them, wherever they are, whatever they do.

Mr. Martin Schneider has been the fencing coach at Riverdale High School in New York, working tirelessly for 50 years! He has led many young fencers to prominence on national and international teams. There will be a celebration dinner for Coach Schneider at Riverdale on April 28, 2007. Anyone who would like to celebrate this wonderful coach may send congratulatory letters to and they will be forwarded to Mr. Schneider at his celebration dinner.

There is good news at the USFA National Office in Colorado Springs! Many of you have had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Christine Strong Simmons in person, by phone, or by email. Always cheerful, always helpful, her contribution to supporting our sport has been recognized and she is now the Associate Executive Director of our Association. She will continue to be always cheerful, always helpful –and a wonderful asset to the USFA!

The recent Junior Olympic Championships held in Denver, Colorado, were a tribute to all who participated in every way. The Bout Committee made sure that events started on time and progressed as efficiently as possible; the Fencing Officials Commission members in charge of assigning referees did so without delay and many positive comments were heard about the high quality of refereeing (some may disagree, but such is the nature of The Beast); the Armorers and Technicians performed in excellent fashion throughout, and check-in was handled without a hitch. All these people involved are volunteers and are to be congratulated for their hard work. For those of you who remember the years when Father Larry Calhoun first suggested this Championship, you may also recognize that “We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!” Most importantly, Big Congratulations to every athlete (all 3,000 entries) who competed! We look forward to seeing you at Summer Nationals in Miami, Florida!!

These items only scratch the surface of the Good News that the USFA can report. Check the website for recent successes of US athletes in the international arena, for news on the Youth program, for ways to become more involved in refereeing and for other information that might be of interest. Everyone who has received this Letter is an important part of the USFA and there is certainly room for everyone (along with friends and relatives…). Also check your local divisional/sectional websites for information that might be most pertinent to You.

I look forward to having much more than can possibly be disseminated, but surely do want the membership to know about good news that needs to be recognized by all!

Yours in fencing,

Nancy Anderson

President

United States Fencing Association