Coach Jen’s Blog

The 2011 review is a hard one to write.  I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.  Though so much has been good, we’ve had some pretty big losses this year that have had a ripple effect in our community.  The top ten things that stand out of me this year start with two noteworthy losses:

10. Resignation of Coach Matt:  We wish Matt well as he pursues his international refereeing independent of Mid-South and pushes forward as a USFA referee instructor.  Still keeping a foot in door and supporting North Carolina fencing, Matthew is hosting a referee clinic this February.  Thank you Matt for your service to Mid-South!

9. Death of Coach Ned Light:  Ned learned of his cancer in spring and lost his battle just before Christmas. Ned’s legacy to youth fencing in North Carolina travels far across the United States.  The anguish and questioning of his untimely death is still close to our hearts.

As our year comes to a close, there must be time to honor our loss and grief, but a new year dawns.   The final top eight notables for this 2011 generated a “HOLY COW, WE”VE DONE A LOT” this year acclamation!!!

8. A Credit/Debit Card Machine:  We stepped into the modern era!!!  Granted I still don’t know how to change the paper roll when it runs out, but we’ve got a machine and our clients and tournament fencers love it.  We  also added Wi-Fi.  Again, this is extending list of services we are providing for our members.  FYI, The password is taped onto the back of the computer desk.  Fairly positive our most popular customer service question is, “Uh, what’s your wi-fi password?”

7.  International Travel:   We’ve had our first!  We’ve gotten a few this year could qualify to travel internationally and one young fencer ventured out and won a team medal, go figure!

6. Intermediate Summer Camp:   This was the first summer we have been able to fill an intermediate camp with middle school aged fencers.  Coach Jeff started putting this group together when he came to Mid-South two years ago, and it is now our largest population of memberships within the club.

5. Increase in National Fencers:   Did you know we have 25 fencers signed up to compete in the Capital Clash?  (How the heck do you coach 25 fencers at a tournament that isn’t one you are running?)

4. University Fencing:  We had three head off into three different universities.  Go RANGERS, HEELS, and WILDCATS!

3. Wheelchair Fencing!  So, we are a little slow on getting our ramps set-up and platform built, but we’ve got a plan and we are working it, even more importantly, we’ve got a wheelchair fencer.  WE NEED MORE.

2. Jen Kling:  Mid-South may have two female coaches, but they are both named, “Jen.” So confusing…  “Kling” came to us out of a UNC/Colorado cloud and now, we’re not letting her leave!  She teaches our middle school Durham Academy Class and brings such positive energy to our youth recreational fencers and our working competitive group.

1.  Peter Earsman, Fitness Trainer:   The difference between our members who frequent his classes and our general member population is unbelievable.  THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU.  Pete is fun and brings fresh New Zealand humor and energy into our group.  He is also helping to utilize the Mid-South space and has been growing his personal and group fitness classes in our club.  For more information about Pete, check him out at: http://korufitness.com/ YOU CAN DO IT.   You will be seeing me in his noon-day class!  Come join me.  Yes, you.

Not on the list, but always first on our list of what is amazing about our club, I would like to recognize our fencers, their families and the community support we offer each other on and off the piste. Without you, we would not be the community we are today or tomorrow.  Your spirit, energy, support to fencing and personal fitness and your support to the process of education though fencing activities, keep our doors open.  Mid-South’s passion is for the joy of the sport is rooted in Ned Light’s passion for youth education and lifetime fencing.  Walk down the steps to our gym and look down the stairwell.  On the wall is a shadow box with fencing equipment from years past handmade by Ned.  Our past is our bridge to our future.  Happy New Year!  Cheers to a prosperous and joyous 2012!

Jen

On Friday evening, December 16th, 2011 Ned, a founding coach of the Mid-South Fencers’ Club, died from a short and hard fought battle with cancer.  He leaves behind his wife Anne, his daughter, Erin, his father and two brothers.  Below is the letter written for a memory book that was given to Ned before his untimely death.  The outpouring of support and love for Ned and his family has been tremendous!  I know he was honored by all the thoughts, words, and support given to him up until his last days.  Funeral services will be planned and scheduled for after the holidays. Peace and Light to us all who have lost someone to this ruthless disease.

Ned,

How can we honor you enough in our club? You are the premier coach of this facility. Without you, there would be no “us” that there is today. Your students are the rock stars of our club!

Your way of being, presenting yourself, and guiding students is admired. Your students adore you, they follow you, and are loyal to your ways and your guidance.

I hope that any time Erin and Anne want to remember and see a part of you extending into the future, they will walk into the doors of our facility. The club, fencing, coaching is an extension of you, your energy and passion. You not only love this sport, but you embody the best of what a coach is, which is to guide and help create good people, as well as good athletes. Also, you instill the love of the sport in all of your athletes. If you are not having fun, why bother?

Ned, you will be greatly missed, but your spirit and guidance will not be far from our thoughts as we grow and evolve over time. “What would Ned think?” will be a question we ask before any major change. “How would Ned handle this situation?” will provide us with checks and balances. The club appreciates all that you have offered. We celebrate your life here every day.

Thank you for your service and commitment to Mid-South Fencers’ Club.

Coaches Jen, Matt, Jeff, Ned, and Stephen, Spring 2010.

A young Mid-South Cadet traveled abroad with her coach to Godollo, Hungary for her first international event in her fencing career and Team USA ended up carrying home a trophy with silver international bling around their necks.   This is a brief introspective account of the young Cadet’s adventure, meet Joey Lew….

In the two days leading up to the trip I’d come down with a 102 degree fever, chills, aches, congestion, and a sore throat.  My parents were unsure about letting me go and in a way I was unsure about going.

TEAM USA Sophie Keehan, Joey Lew and Anastasia Pineschi

I know that it is safety first, and I’ve always known that…haven’t always executed that, but I’ve always known that.  I didn’t want to go only to end up in a Hungarian hospital.  But at the same time I’d looked forward to the trip for months: my chance to test myself in the big leagues and reach the goal I’d always had.  I’d never been to Hungary and I’d never represented the U.S. and I couldn’t give up the opportunity, and thirteen hours and a significant amount of coughing (by both Jen and I, ’tis the season) we arrived in Hungary.  Something has to be pointed out here before I focus into the fencing—Jen took incredible care of me.  Regardless of her cold she put my wishes first, was extremely considerate, and coached me to my knowledge extremely well.  I—and probably you if you’re reading this—am very lucky to have her as a coach.  Now—the fencing.

It’s not surprising to me now that wars begin so easily.  When countries are pushed against each other even in sport there is intense loyalty to your country and fierce enmity toward your opponent.  There is no disliking or liking, simply the sense of representing something larger and fighting for it.  I thought we were an extremely cohesive team (Sophie Keehan, Anastasia Pineschi and myself) and all coming from very different backgrounds with very different skill sets we confused the heck out of all of the carbon copies we ran up against.  Though some of the girls were clearly better than others, stylistically they all were the same.  It was often more about adjusting to the referee than about adjusting to the opponent.  Ah—and you think it’s bad to argue with a referee in English—I observed some arguments, if the ref doesn’t speak your language, don’t even try. The day was great for us, I fenced my best bouts in the final but throughout the day I was able to awaken that sense of “you can see” (the infamous Jen-chant) that I’d felt at Nationals previous.  When you feel the open eyes you can play the game, and that is incredibly fun.  That team event is probably the most fun I’ve ever had in fencing. The most important thing I learned from the event is that how we’re learning to fence—how Mid-south fencers are being taught—it isn’t common.  These techniques can take us a very long way and a thinking fencer is worth so much more than a robot. I am not saying that they were all robots, only that ‘trust your coaches’ is a well-earned aphorism in the world of fencing.

In my individual event I woke up for the first pool, and was able to unlock that calm confidence that I need to fence well.  In the second pool, I was extremely nervous and blew my first two bouts on rushing and a big arm—two things that will always be work for me. My results goal in coming to this tournament was to make it through pools. I didn’t make it by one point.  My ref was pulled after the pool, and may have reversed a few of my bouts, yada yada excuse excuse, truth is I should have gotten myself together and really fenced, and I still need to learn how to do that in a stressful setting.

Overall, it was strongly worth the experience, and the feeling of being part of something larger, and of representing the U.S. is much more overwhelming and enjoyable than I thought it would be, as is the team solidarity. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t step up on day two, but sometimes you have to lose and pick yourself up a few times to get stronger. As Jen pointed out, “You need to try everything one or two times before you get it right, you know, tournaments, businesses, boyfriends…” I’ll start with fencing.

Joey on the stip.

Mid-South has three more “graduates” this year and for the first time they will be fencing for their respective college teams. Here is what our students have to say as they reflect back on how fencing influenced their collegiate choices.

Claire Carson – MSFC Fencer 2009-2011 – Northwestern University, Chicago

Fencing was a definite consideration in choosing a college. Luckily for me, the college that I liked the best academically was also the one with the fencing program I liked the best. I didn’t realize that I definitely wanted to fence in college until after I applied to all of my schools, and when it came down to the decision, the four colleges with fencing teams (Duke, UNC, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern) were more attractive to me.

When I started fencing, I had no idea how involved I would become in the sport. My general goal has always been to improve as much as I possibly can, and obviously I’m still in the progress of getting there. But Mid-South has been wonderful. I’ve come so far in my fencing and I have come to feel so at home at the club that I am going to be so sad to leave in a few months. It’s been a great environment to grow both as a fencer and as a person.

My greatest accomplishment was the way I fenced in the Milwaukee NAC (and getting on the points list…)

Greatest Mid-South memory…there are SO many memories to choose from! When I think of Mid-South, for some reason I always think about the summer camps. It’s a real experience- suffering together through mornings of conditioning in the hot weather and then fencing all afternoon…and then being too sore to get out of bed the next morning. Despite the pain, it’s SO fun

I have plenty of advice for the younger ones! Ok, college first. It really helps to have an idea of what you want. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life, and no one can seriously expect every 18 year old to know that, but a general idea helps. For example, I was interested in engineering, but I didn’t want to commit to a school that was only strong in engineering just in case I didn’t like it. So, I’m going to a school that has a strong engineering program that has lots of other good programs. And if you’re indecisive, don’t apply to 11 schools. Just don’t. In terms of fencing in college, definitely contact coaches to let them know you are interested in their program. If I didn’t fill out all of those “recruit questionnaires” online, I probably wouldn’t have ended up talking to Coach Schiller and I probably wouldn’t be going to Northwestern. Not all of the schools I contacted responded, in fact most coaches didn’t email back until I was admitted at their school. But you may as well contact coaches anyways; it can’t hurt. As for fencing, just don’t give up. Some days you will fence the best you have in your life, and then the next day you’ll be awful. That’s just part of the cycle, and the more time and effort you put into your fencing, the better. If you’re feeling frustrated or unmotivated with your fencing one evening, sometimes it’s best just to recognize you aren’t helping yourself by fencing bouts you aren’t into, and just work on something else. Go do blade work or footwork or something, but don’t slack off. And always remember to stretch.

Charlie Dobbins – MSFC Fencer 2005-2011 – Drew University, New Jersey.

How much did fencing influence your decision to attend your University choice?

Fencing did influence my decision on where I wanted to go to school but I’m not exactly sure how much. Not all the schools I applied to have fencing teams, but the schools that I really wanted to attend did. Ultimately it came down to the schools that had fencing teams and what type of university was the best for me.

Did you accomplish what you set out through by fencing at Mid-South?  More or Less?

Well my objective when I first started fencing with Matt and Jen, which was about five and a half years ago, was to become a nationally competitive fencer. I wasn’t content with just fencing for the fun of it. So yes, I’d say I accomplished my goal.

Your greatest accomplishment?

That’s hard to say because that depends on how you define accomplishment. My greatest accomplishment result-wise was getting in the top eight at Summer Nationals one year in Division II. Also I made the junior points list at Junior Olympics this past year.

What is your greatest Mid-South Memory?

Our first Senior Team event, also our first team event as a club stands out to me right now. At the Miami Summer Nationals it was Matt, Jackson and I. We made it past the first round, beating KOS J, who was the previous year’s Champions. It felt good to be part of a team.

What advice would you give to our young fencers about fencing, college and this sport?

Enjoy it. If you don’t have fun with fencing then you will come to resent it. It has to be about more than winning. The work to be a competitive fencer is hard and can be long. It’s as much a physical trial as well as a mental and emotional one. If you don’t get any joy from it, you won’t stay.

Nathanael Gass – MSFC Fencer 2008-2011 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

How much did fencing influence your decision to attend your University choice?

I knew I wanted to keep fencing through college. It was important to me that there be a team or club at the university I wanted to attend. However, I ended up choosing UNC-CH because it was the best academic fit for me, not because it had the best fencing team. Academics were the most important part of my university choice.

Did you accomplish what you set out through by fencing at Mid-South?  More or Less?

I haven’t yet. I wanted to medal nationally, preferably in DIV 1. But there’s still more time, Nationals is coming up and I’m training hard. But if I ever medal nationally, regardless of what club I’m fencing with at that point in time, it will be thanks to the amazing education that Mid-South has given me at the start of my fencing journey. So in short, not yet, but someday.

Your greatest accomplishment?

Well, I could cite some results, but those aren’t my greatest accomplishments at Mid-South. My greatest achievement wasn’t a placing in a tournament, but the confidence I’ve gained as a person and a fencer. The community at Mid-South has been extremely supportive of me and I’ve made so many friends there, people who I will keep in touch with for a long time.

What is your Greatest Mid-South Memory?

Hmmm. Well, that’s really hard. I don’t think there’s a way to rank all the great memories the club has made. Seeing my teammates destroying Manhattan in the team bout at Atlanta Summer Nationals is high on my list though.

What advice would you give to our young fencers about fencing, college and this sport?

This sport and this club will take you as far as you want to go. You just have to be willing to work and train for it.

Thank you Nathanael, Charlie and Claire for taking the time to reflect on your experiences here.  Good luck at your new fencing homes! Please come join us for our first Alumni Weekend this Friday, where all our fencers and their families past and present can come, fence, enjoy a cookout and celebrate fencing.

Date:  June 24^th
Place:  1104 Broad Street
Time: 6-8pm

Hope to see you there!

Some days I can’t decide which super cape to put on when I wake up in the morning. Often the capes clash with one another and I trip over the edges while running from one job to the next.  I tripped over an edge hard this past weekend, it broke my heart, but only for about three hours.

My eldest son decided he was going to fence in his first tournament.  He announced his decision on Wednesday.  After struggling with the age chart, it was pointed out to me that by golly he was old enough to fence!   Cool.  Super Mom review in head goes something like this, “he said he was ready, I didn’t push.  How exciting!”  Super Coach review in head goes something like this, “he’s been fencing electric for about a year, he understands basic priority, he said he was ready…”  My young fencer got all his stuff ready on Wednesday, packed his bag, knew exactly what he had in his bag and what he needed.  He started to carry that bag around everywhere he went.  HE WAS A FENCER = Proud MAMA.

Let’s fast forward…

Friday Night Super Mom says, “Did you back up all your gear?” as we left the club. “Yes” says child.

Sunday morning, “I need for you to check your bag and make sure you have all your equipment before we go” Super Mom says. Then, ten minutes before leaving, “did you check your bag?”  In all actuality Super Mom said this multiple times with various tones of voice.  The response was more of a yell, “YES MOM, CAN WE GO?”  There was an eyeroll included – not anyone’s favorite non-verbal response, but Super Mom ignored it.

Sunday at the tournament the turn of events showed that said child DID NOT check his equipment.  It was a busy day.  This whole replay below occurred in the middle of bouts. Super Coach was refereeing while child approached Super Mom every so often. He DID NOT know where his pants where.  He tried to wear sweat pants, he tried to wear club fencing pants.  Other parents were helping him.  Super Coach was doing ten things at once. “Where are your pants?!?” Super Mom exclaimed.  “In the van,” he said looking pathetic.  He looked in the van. Where they in the van? No.  He didn’t know where they were.  He was not prepared.  He had lied multiple times to Super Mom at that point. Super Mom = not feeling so super.

The easy thing to do, which crossed Super Mom’s mind first, was to okay borrowing club pants, scold him and tell him “Don’t forget again!” but this was not the super thing to do.

The hard Super Mom solution was that he didn’t get to fence.  This was the correct solution for learning accountability, teaching him it was not okay to lie and modeling to the other parents in the club that Super Coach can follow through on discipline with appropriate consequenes of inappropriate behavior as Super Moms do.

My child wasn’t honest about preparing himself.  He was hoping I would not hold him accountable and just “let him fence.” He is smart. I’ve taught him in some cases he doesn’t have to follow through and he will still get want he wants.  Lying, and lying by omission, is a learned behavior.  Let’s think about what went through his mind…  He did not want to check his bag, that is no fun.  He knew he could borrow club knickers – Mom might be upset, but Mom isn’t going to not let me fence because of equipment? Is she? No, the club has everything and mom will be busy.  Super Mom will be Super Coach; he placed his bet.  Then the lies had to escalate to hide the fact he did not check his bag before we left and later, Super Mom found out he lied Friday stating that he had indeed packed and picked up his equipment off the floor at the club before we left!

I realized, without doubt, it is easy for us Super Parents to teach lessons to our kids if they lose something we didn’t really want them to have, like TV, car keys, etc.  But something we want for them, or believe they need, it is hard on us.  Super Parents do everything we can to make sure they participate in what they love and want, right?

I wanted bad for my son to fence because he wanted it so bad, but if I had let him fence I would have been sending him the message, “You won.”  “You didn’t really have to get your stuff together when I asked at home.” “You can probably get away with this next time.” “You don’t have to take care of yourself, I’ll (or the club) will take care of it for you.” “It’s okay to lie to me without consequence.”

Three hours after this incident (which included an half hour of him locked in the club bathroom crying) my super good parent reinforcement came.  The drive home my other child was vocally volleying with me to get out of a difficult situation he put himself in.  My young fencer replied, “No, you can’t outsmart Mama!”  He said his with great intensity to his brother about six times.  Super Mom listened.  I exhaled and wrapped my parenting cape around me with a smirk. I had won a small victory in the most difficult job I have ever had, that of PARENT.

Thank you for reading!

Jen

On the last day of 2010 I go to check the club’s Facebook Fan Page and see a rap posted by one of our fencers, which honors fencing, and Mid-South.  The rap is creative, it’s funny, it’s reflective of the process of the fencer and most importantly, pokes fun at many things we take seriously about ourselves.  I love it! The community interactions and involvement among our club members are one of the major things that have fed our community in 2010.  We are not just brick and mortar, with a coach pouring fencing knowledge down the throats of eager Star Wars fans.  We have now evolved into a living organism.  We’re proliferating, like this rap that blossomed on our fan page last night!

With this life, I see our club as moving out of its toddler stage.  It no longer needs its mommy to sustain life. Now it takes many, many more people to feed and nurture its growth.  Perhaps now we are approaching those rewarding Middle School years of deciding how we want to interact in the world?  Are we in the cool kid group?  Are we social? Athletic? Rock stars?  Our identity is shifting and changing and testing new ways to be in the fencing world.

But, enough speculation about where we are, I’ll do that blog next week. Here are just a FEW things that have stood out for me in 2010.

10.  First Company Van.  Okay, not so exciting to you, but VERY exciting to me!

9.  Veteran EXPLOSION.  GO MID-SOUTH VETS!!!

8.  First time on many National points lists. I think we’ve got sabre lists all covered except for Senior Women’s Sabre. (Cough, cough.)

7. Social media eXplosion! Our website update was HUGE.  A big shout out to David Minton and the DesignHammer Media Group.  Our new online registration has rapidly reduced the amount of time I spend doing accounting.  I love my accountant.  Paul Sipe = wonderfully patient.

6. RaPid gRoWtH! We are 45 active members and another 100 regular fencing participants.  We serviced over 150 campers in our summer programs in 2010.  We added a new full-time coach, fitness class, and dedicated foil program.  That’s a lot!  We’ve worked hard, and now after looking over the financials, I feel the need to take a nap.

5. First club marriage and first club baby. Anne Elisabeth and Rohan de Silva met at our fencing club early last year in an adult class, and were married this fall. Congratulations! Joshua Kurtzer Minton was born December 22, 2010.  The proud parents, David and Suzanne, are both members along with Joshua’s grandfather; Vic. Joshua gets a complimentary five-year membership for the first five years of his life!

4.  First International Referee. Matt Cox earned his FIE license early last year and is traveling along with potential US team members across Europe. He will help keep us current, and he brings outside energy back into the club.   This is a big step as we stumble though our Middle School years and figure out our playing field.

3.  Parent Organization = WOW!  Hello to organizing antsy parents on the sidelines, and boy that pent up energy goes to work well for our community! THANK YOU.

2.  First time we’ve lost count of how many National medals we’ve earned.  Does anybody know?  Six at Summer Nationals, plus two this fall, plus how many last spring?  Last Year? Have we doubled our count in one year?  I feel so vain.

1. First time making them really sweat! Taking Manhattan Fencers’ Club in a team event to 42-45 at Summer Nationals we a wonderful high. I ain’t too proud to admit this.  WHAT AN AMZING TEAM EVENT!  Even though we lost, we won so much.   IS THERE VIDEO OF THIS?

Happy New Year to ALL.  I am sooooo looking forward to what 2011 will bring.  You are all wonderful.

Jen

This past weekend was the NC Division’s annual fall meeting. As an organization we usually meet in August (planning session) and at Divisional Qualifiers (to vote in officers). We had average attendance, a small group, but mostly “the core.” Most of the usual things (scheduling) had been tidied up and we had a great planning/brainstorming session about developing coaching clinics in the state, how to/can we better serve collegiate clubs and a nice patting on the back for ‘hangin’ in there’ with some radical management changes in how our organization works. And boy, does it work a lot better.

But, there has been a big ol’ purple elephant in the Division, and it’s been letting us know passively of its existence by little participation in hosting or leading in the coordination of qualifying events, as well as, lack of attendance in events across the state. Purpleness shined in late July, just before the NC Board transition occurred, the NC Division was notified that there was a petition sent to the USFA to create a new Division called the “Coastal Carolina Division.” This proposal divides the state geographically, mostly down the middle. The line was drawn right between the Wake and Durham County lines, for you locals. For you non-locals, this area divides the one of the most populated areas of the state and would separate many Mid-South members into two Divisions.

The logic of their proposal made sense on one level, “we are too long, other Divisions have divided over smaller distances.” But they lost me when the petitioners decided, mid-conversation, to justify their actions: “It’s better for fencing.” Huh? What fencing? Whose fencing? Certainly not competitive fencing- in this state? Certianly not for the smaller events – women and youth fencers. I tried very hard to understand the point of view of these petitioners (it should be noted that much of the USFA members along the coast are divided on this change as well). Overall, there were too many inconsistencies in their discussion points, and any rebuttals made to address these inconsistencies were met with denial and an “oh no, we just want what’s best for fencing, it’s not about ——.” Well, if you wanted what’s best for fencing don’t you think you would have consulted with the rest of the Division? Consulted with other Divisions who have divided? Perhaps brought this up to the Board? Had some planning or brainstorming sessions, or, something that was inclusive to fencing in this state and not exclusive? Post factco, their decision justification to the other half of the state looked like this at the meeting: “I want to take my ball and play in my own court, but we still all want to play on the same team.”

The divide would place no Masters of Arms, high level rated referees for qualifying events on “their side.” They would start out with no money, BUT THEY COULD QUALFITY MORE FENCERS TO NATIONAL EVENTS!!! Nothing in their vision (honestly, I wasn’t sure about a vision) was built on the Mission Statement of the USFA… justification to divide before we grow sounded like, “if the Division got 20 more fencers, we would be strained.” The Division will get 20 more fencers next year, we are counting on this growth! Again- hunh?

BUT I HAVE A SOLUTION to this uncomfortable situation our fencing state now finds itself in. Now that the fate of our fencing state lies with two outside members of our state, Bill Becker and Brad Baker, we need to simultaneously help prop up this new Division, yet ease their feelings of isolation in case they do stay attached to the NC Division. I propose the petitioners of the Coastal Carolina Division step up and host NC Divisional Qualifiers this year. I know the rest of the state will step up and support them and work with them. Even though it would be very tempting to wave a finger of “be careful, you just might get what you wish for!” I am sure the state will work for the event in the same way we have worked for other events. PLUS, IT WILL BE AT THE BEACH, and fun! I want to play in the sand at another fencing tournament… vacation write off!

Going forward, I think the board must insist to alternate where qualifying events are held by region in our long state. Let’s divided into thirds, just like the USFA did with the USA, and force each of our regions to rotate hosting JO Qualifiers, Divisional Qualifiers and Team Summer National Qualifiers. We already do a great job of maintaining a diverse board. Forcing the coast to get more involved with the qualifying events will ease their feelings of isolation and grow their appreciation for the cooperative work that is required of many to run a quality volunteer organization- no matter how big or small, long or competitive we get.

Thanks for reading and remember, if you are fencing in NC, “the Division” means YOU! You’re it! Get involved.

The coaching staff was again shocked by the pervasive use of fear as a coaching technique for motivating fencers.  On the first day FEAR was what our coaching staff struggled with most, trying to dislodge in our fencers!  Fear causes resistance to change.  Even when change is necessary to win, fear is immobility in fencing.  Fear caused fencers to avoid attacking, or to be secure in only an attack and avoid taking the risk of parry riposte.

Apathy was our other blocking emotion, and I learned a new coaching technique for handling weak referees. One of my fencer’s pools had a referee that sucked the life energy out of the fencers.  This referee thought of himself as very knowledgeable- he is an “old-timer.”  I show my respect to him, but it is sad to see his eyesight fail and to see fencers in this pool frustrated with their actions not being seen and awarded.  Some coaches were very upset and tried to “teach” this referee, yelling “Let the fencers fence!”  This pool experience made an example of how a referee’s ego and inability to referee with reverence and humility wreak havoc on the sport. It interferes with the fencers’ creativity and ability to obtain pleasure in their creations on the strip.  The pool was wilting with hopelessness, except for one higher level fencer who seemed impervious to the mood of the pool (he won).  My fencer was assigned this referee again for his first DE in the round, and with dread, I watched him hook up.  Having a referee like this for a DE is like flipping a coin: who knows what he will call, or why he calls it.   It’s confusing to the fencer and frustrating to the coaches to see their work disrespected, and depressing to the parents, who say aloud “I am paying how much to get refereeing like this?” This time, the referee had no understanding of the phrase “attack no, attack,” or when a fencer’s attack fails, and the other fencer has the right to begin their own attack.  My young fencer was, of course, frustrated, and apathy set in.  How could he put energy into this bout when his “earning” the point was not being rewarded?  I understood completely, but that is not an acceptable excuse for me.

As I discussed with George K. the concepts of “attack no and attack” his ego began to show front and center.  He proclaimed, “But Naz said I was the best referee in the room!”  Oh my. “Naz” is a former national coach.  I left the discussion unsatisfied.  It wasn’t until 6am this morning that I realized how this former national coach had worked this poor referee who was a a very prominent figure in the Northeastern part of the US.  MOST coaches complain to referees and to their supervisors in some hope of the referee learning or adjusting.  This approach is to teach the referee and overall to and help fencing.  The referees can teach the coaches too… it works both ways.   Since we have so few adequate referees in this country, the sport is “alive” and always evolving- the coaches and referees must engage in dialogue.  It has to happen, and this dialogue is poorly facilitated by our governing organization.

Anyway, if Naz’s comment is indeed true, this coach took a very different approach to dealing with referee inadequacy – flattery.  If this referee believes he is right with “Naz,” standing behind him, then that coach has a lot of power to influence the outcome of many bouts. Ultimately, this man is being manipulated, in a bad way.  The worst way?  Such a hopeless situation when a referee approaches his job “ego-based.”  Could this be a valid way to deal with this type of person?  Would I manipulate referees at some point in my career to increase the odds of an outcome for my fencer?   Other coaches engage in this play, shouldn’t I?  This coaching “technique” to dealing with inadequate referees of this caliber was enlightening for my naive self.  I would never have thought to manipulate a referee in this way.  Now, I have that thought. I pity this situation, am sad that human manipulation takes place in this sport to this degree.  But looking back, hasn’t it always?  A one sentence lie that creates self-importance of this nature damages the spirit of competitive sport between athletes. Most importantly, it saps the joy of the fencing experience.  For a young coach like myself, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

10.  It’s hot outside.

9. It’s bathing suit season, and leg bruises look really nice with polka-dot bikinis.

8.  Head Start on the competitive season (especially for NCAA fencers!)

7. All your friends will be there.

6. Support your local economy.  Coaches eat ALL YEAR.

5. Smaller classes.

4.  More individual attention.

3.  What else are you going to do?  Really?

2. It’s just as fun in the summer as any other time of the year.

1. You will not get sunburn!

This was a big year for our fencers at Junior Olympics. We had nine participants – our largest group ever!  We fielded two Jr. Men’s Sabre Teams and a Women’s Sabre Team. These are nice milestones and definitely something to reflect on as we come upon our annual celebration and turn Three.  There were a few themes that emerged from this past weekend: solidarity (among the club and Division), professional development, and hunger.

Solidarity was evident among our young travelers.  Four fencers participated in their first National event.  It was fantastic to see the other fencers and parents support each other. The “veteran” parents and fencers were definitely assuring the newer ones.  Each fencer had their crossed their own challenges.  Here are some of my favorite team moments:

Jr. Men’s Sabre:  Watching my 14-year old fencer finish pools with one victory, and still fence “to win” against the sixth-seeded Jr. fencer.  The momentum changed twice in that bout.  It was a real fencing bout!  He lost 12-15, but I could clearly see glimpses of his fighting power to come.  I saw this same “fight” in many of my other fencers’ DE bouts.

Sr. Women’s Team:  13-5 run.  Need I say more?  She had the momentum and kept going.  She used a variety of actions and didn’t give up.  These “C-rated” fencers didn’t phase her!  She inspired our women and displayed true leadership.

Top 16:  The result is nice (14th), but what really gets me going is to watch the other fencers losing, being soldily beat by my fencer.  He wasn’t supposed to win, but he did.  The fencers who lost to him in the 64 and then 32 to get to the 16, had black-card worthy performances.  My hard-working fencer did what I asked him to, and fenced with no fear.  Two-thumbs up.

Division stuff is interesting.  There is much discussion going around now about the USFA dissolving Sections and Divisions.  I am okay with leaving the Section behind, but our Division?  Giving up our membership money to the should-be-bankrupt organization of our NGB (the USFA) doesn’t seem fair.  Collectively, our Division brains will be coming up with ways to spend this money “if” this becomes to be.  We will stand united.

Professionally:  Matt (against my wishes) became chair of the USFA Tournament Committee.  UGH…  another thankless non-paying job.  I got interviewed by a very nice gentleman representing the USFCA regarding my credentials and involvement in the organization.  AAI?  A Master’s Fencing tournament in Switzerland this year, that I can fence in?  Hmmmmm….

HUNGER:  What my fencers have.  Here, let me provide the food.  Come to practice, leave your ego. BYOB. Let’s fence.