Fencing Club introduces ancient sport
MU's fencing club uses a laid back approach to teach fencing.
Published Nov. 4, 2005
Swords and dark masks reminiscent of knights in shining armor might be the images that come to mind when people think about fencing.
The Mizzou Fencing Club is trying to dispel that image to make the ancient pastime more accessible to students.
MU's fencing club was founded in the '70s, but since its creation the club has struggled to stay active. Club President Jes Geary re-started the club, which had been defunct for a year, in the fall of 2004. In less than a year, the club has competed in more than five tournaments and established a roster of 14 members. Geary said the club has plans to sponsor its own tournament in December.
"I would like to work on increasing our membership," Geary said. "At the beginning of the semester we get like 40 people but, as soon as dues are up, nobody wants to fence. We have a core group of steady people and then a few people who come in and out. We want to have a booth at the (Student Activities Mart). We want to put up fliers and maybe do demos, but I don't know how happy the university would be with us stabbing each other in front of Brady Commons. People usually hear about the club from word of mouth and then they bring their friends."
Geary and fencing club member Corey Schneider had no fencing experience prior to college.
"Although the sport itself is challenging, both mentally and physically, our club is very laid back and fun," Geary said. "It's not terribly hard to adapt to if you are willing to learn."
Schneider said he joined the club during his freshman year. As the club's "armorer," Schneider said he is responsible for cataloguing the equipment and making sure everything meets safety standards.
"I thought fencing sounded fun so I joined," Schneider said. "Fencing is a really fun physical activity that you don't need to be athletic to do."
Treasurer Katie Horzmann, the only officer who fenced before coming to MU, began fencing in her freshman year of high school. She joined MU's club her freshman year and now provides instruction to new, inexperienced members.
"The first thing I teach is stances and footwork," Horzmann said. "One of the most important moves is the lunge. We allow new fencers to pick their weapon of choice. We start out with the basic footwork. It usually only takes a couple of weeks to get the basics down."
Horzmann said fencing is not a dangerous sport though some people think it is.
"Fencing is an incredibly safe sport," Horzmann said. "It is rare to get injuries. The worst thing that usually happens is a bruise."
The club's dues are $35 per semester. Fencers must have a jacket, a mask and a weapon for competitions. Geary says competition entry fees range from $10 to $20 per person.
"Fencing can be an expensive sport but we have a lot of equipment," Geary said. "If you purchase your own it can get expensive. Once you pay your dues you can check out equipment. A lot of people opt to get their own stuff but we don't require it."
The club focuses on the sport style of fencing rather than the classical style.
"Classical fencing deals more with traditional styles and goes for appearance over results," Horzmann said. "Sport fencing is what you see in Olympics and in competition."
Horzmann said the club uses three types of weapons in competition: foils, sabers and epees. Schneider said the saber requires the most effort and athleticism of the three swords.
"Foil is usually our most-used weapon, but a lot of people have wanted to change to epee this semester," Geary said. "Foil is the typical weapon for fencing because it is the beginner's weapon. There are very few saberists in the club."
Horzmann said the Mizzou Fencing Club provides interested students with a unique experience.
"Fencers are some of the nicest and strangest people you will ever meet," Horzmann said. "Fencing is very different from everything else. It is more of an individual sport. It's considered exotic and unusual. It is a more worldwide sport. Historically, fencing has a long tradition. There are not too many sports that you can say you can stab people. Anyone can pick it up and have a lot of fun with it."