YOUR Coaches

[Kevin ONeill]

Michele McCreary (2 years)
Al Adelman (2 years)
Salem/Kathy Lewis (2.5 years)
Vaho Iagorashvili (1 summer)
Waldek Czaja (1 year, on and off)


Kevin

[Tim Guerinot]

I started fencing in 99' with UH. Loved it so much that I started training part time at BCFA. Hamza and Monahon tried their best to make me a foilist but my heart wasn't in it. I always caught myself looking longingly at some dudes at the end of the Salle who conducted their own practices.

When school started up again in the fall of 99' I picked up a saber and never looked back. Two guys named Justin Philips and Chris Martin taught me a few things and we had alot of fun.

Once summer hit I started fencing at Mauro's and Oliver Diaz and Mauro starting showing me some quality stuff. This continued until January 2000 and then it was soley Diaz who really helped.

2000 came and went...2001 Joe Wysocki, Zach Parkins, Oliver Diaz and myself watched videos and tried to world championship videos to figure out what actions were successful...........At this point we really didn't have a strong base to figure how some actions would actually work becuase tactics were something grossly ignored at the club for saber fencers. Although, watching the videos really taught us how to judge bouts and call actions consistently.

During the summer of 2001 Joe and myself (sometimes Diaz) would drive up to Waldek's and train with his guys. this really helped alot fencing guys with nice technique and solid tactics.

Time went by.........

Fall 2002

Andrey Geva started working at Mauro's and giving us saber lessons. It was a learning experience for both everyone. The most important thing that occured was having someone with alot of fencing experience actually watching our bouts telling us to be more creative.

Our tactics started becoming more than simultaneous actions.

The one word that floats through my mind......longer lunge.

Fall 2003 Tomasz Stuchinski comes to town......Polish Olympian Saber fencer sets up shop at BCFA in H-town. By February 2004 Stuchinski leaves BCFA and currently not working.....Not much improvement on my end.

Winter 2004 Back at Alliance and saw am involved in a well organized "PROGRAM". You receive private 1on1 lessons as well as on the strip lessons. We watch video to discuss tactics. A another thing weight, speed and endurance training has been implemented in our workouts. You receive training from top lvl. coaches with results. I can't rave about it anymore than say it's freakin awesome!!!!!

I'm sure you think it's really expensive. If you're a seekeing something competitive with a family atmosphere it's the only place to go!

Personally, I've seen my fencing really go to the next lvl. and only within a few months.

ALLIANCE FENCING ROCKS!!!!!!

[Ivanhoe]

Stop it Tim!!! You are making me depressed. I do the same with epee world champ tapes and its helped me. However, unlike you, I'd have to completely pick up my world and move to Houston to get any higher.

Oh well, I should be happy that I have what I have.

[Tim again]

Hey Ivanhoe,

If you're in H-town why don't you come fence with us? I guarantee you'll using the anti-depressants once you start fencing at Alliance. The past will become a blur once you see what the future promises.

[Ivanhoe]

Hey Tim,

Next time I'm in Houston, I'm going to try to come out. Do you meet on Friday's or Saturday's. Considering the length of the drive, my needing all my beauty sleep, and my early morning job, I'd be hard pressed to come up on a week day.

Ivanhoe

[Michael LoParco]

I began fencing at the ripe young age of 32, having never previously touched any type of fencing weapon. I am now almost 36 and have fenced for about 3 and-a-half years.
My first and only coach is Sabina Bazarbayeva. She comes from a family of fencing coaches back in her home country of Kazakhstan (A former Soviet Republic). Both her mother and father are fencing coaches and so was her grandfather. Sabina's grandfather has numerous patents to his name for training equipment not only for fencing, but other areas of sport as well.
I anxiously await resolution of Sabina's visa situation so we may resume our training. I also look forward to building a new foil team with her and acting as her assistant.
Our future goals include competing in Division I NACs and attending my first world cup event.
I am very proud of the work we have accomplished together and hope for even greater achievements in the future. Maybe it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!

[Tim again]

I was once told by an old teamate that the young guys will always beat you or that they learn faster than you.

I will beg to differ EVERY SINGLE TIME. Mental toghness and heart goes a long way in this sport. Congrats to you and Sabina for a job well done. I hope we both tear it up in the upcoming seasons.

One other thing, now that I've finally got a gripson the injuries I feel stronger, stronger and STRONGER!!!!!!!

One thing to remember, it's not if you win or lose but if you fight to the bitter end.

I say bring it!!!!!!!!!

[Oliver]

What I said was, in regards to age - the older you get the more time it takes to learn new skills, the more difficult it is for your body to adapt to a new activity.

I also said that an overwealming majority of the highest caliber fencers were developed from a very young age, through puberty and into adult hood - so that thier bodies and minds "grew" into fencing. Footwork for them is as easy as walking.

Thats my personal theory, and was not meant to discourage adult fencing.

But I know you took it to heart - so if it helps you become a better fencer, keep on proving me wrong.

...aren't we off topic?

[Gil Hillman]

I fenced at ages about 11-15 in the 1950's in New Haven, Conn. First learned from Stanley Virgulto at the New Haven YMCA, then from Maurice Grasson. There was something of a Grasson fencing dynasty; he had been a national champion; his brother was coach at Yale and their father had also coached at Yale. After a longish (40 years) layoff I picked it up again a few years ago in Houston; took classes from Jerry Dunaway and from Mauro Hamza.

[SaberPirate]

I started fencing with the galveston fencing club when i was 18 with Mike, but my first instuctor was really my boyfriend at the time, Sal Bertucci. Then I did a semester of class at SWT and Had Prof Moreau mostly for foil. Students in the SWT club were responsible for my epee and saber introductions. Paul at Galveston did foil lessons (all of this by the way was before I messed up my shoulder/back and have been on the disabled list since thanksgiving) but foil isn't really my thing. I get Saber pointers from John and Kenn at GFC. Other than that I just wing it, I honestly picked up a lot of my saber work on my own (John will attest to some of my more interesting foot work patterns...)

Saber is like breathing. I'd die without it.

Arrg, hug a whale matey.

[Steve Johnson]

I took a semester of fencing at TAMU back ~1975. I don't remember the instructor's name. But I did not sstick with it.

In Fall of 1984 I started taking lessons from Tony Bertucci at the New Orleans YMCA Fencing club. Tony's role model was Aldo Nadi. Our club used Italian foil exclusivelly. Since then, I have only fenced Italian weapons.

I also had some very limited instruction in Boulder Colorado, but I don't recall the coach's full names.

[captain jon]

I started fencing 8 years ago at Round Rock Fencing Club in foil with head coach Gary Murray. Three years later I turned to epee and got instuctions from.....Gary Murray jr! (If you wanted a really tough lesson you just called him "junior") Coach Murray sr took no crap and demanded effort, not just results. He was Coach of The Year a few years back, I'm proud to say. Then I had to move to Houston to get a job. I tried salle Moruo, but found only beginners, and was told about BCFA. They had a neat coach naved Ivan (a Rusian) who Demanded PERFECTION!!! He was great but hard on an old man like me. Now I get lessons from a Polish star, Witold Rutowski (first name pronounced VEE-toe) and I find myself still improving, perhaps because I was so bad and, sadly, still am.

[Ivanhoe]

I am proud to say that the only time I've bouted Witold, I got 9 touches on him. But then the one minute break occured and he smeared me from thence forth! Something tells me that the next time we meet, I'll be lucky to get half as many touches.

Well Captain, all I can say is enjoy fencing epee Sunday. I'm going to miss it, being forced to fence that toy they call foil

I'd say that I might be able to make a Free Fencing Friday sometime soon, but I stuck my foot in my mouth with the Mrs. It seems that she doesn't consider a mini vacation to be to drive up to Houston on a FFF day and stay the night in Houston and do HER thing the next day. You seem to have a hang on the spouse thing, any suggestions?

[captain jon]

I fenced free friday, but bought a bunch of flowers on the way home, so when she woke up Saturday she had a nice morning suprise. Then I told her that the whole day belonged to her...I was fully at her disposal. We spent the day at various malls and made many purchases for her and my two daughters. In the end I was sent off to fence the tourny by three smiling young lovelys, and I fenced well because I had no worrys.

[Steven Lalumandier Tango]

I took a beginners fencig class at UT Austin in 1987. It was taught by Mr. Williams. While Mr. Williams taught all the specifics, he made sure that the class included games ect. that made it fun. I Gave up fencing after that class for a few years and then found the CLFC. Spent a couple of months there but got discouraged with the club and left. After about 6 more years decided to rejoin the CLFC. I showed up hell bent on getting to know everyone. I specifically remember meeting the Trojanowski's and Don Cravey that night. The reception was open and friendly, so ive been fencing there since. I fence for fun nowadays and even though I have only had one class of formal training, I learn from everyone that I cross blades with or have had the pleasure of watching cross blades.

See ya on strip.

[hjg]

My first coach for 2 yrs was the great Paul Pesthy at Harpur college/SUNY Binghamton, where I fenced foil. Paul was our team coach. My first yr teamate was John Moreau. What a great yr that was. After Paul it was another great one- Jacque Piguet. I was #2 foil.

Anybody know where gene getler is?

[txfencer]

hjg said:

My first coach for 2 yrs was the great Paul Pesthy at Harpur college/SUNY Binghamton, where I fenced foil. Paul was our team coach. My first yr teamate was John Moreau. What a great yr that was. After Paul it was another great one- Jacque Piguet. I was #2 foil.

Anybody know where gene getler is?

Are you looking for Gene Gettler of Atlanta Fencer's Club?

[hjg]

thanks TXFENCER. I'm sure its the same Gene. Gene was also an the varsity team and was #1 foil, ahead of me, for the first 3 yrs until he graduated. I'll track him down in Atlanta. Can I asked how your paths crossed?

I was on the team 1972 - 1976. Funny how you can't get fencing out of your blood. I had to start again here in Michigan a few years ago.

[txfencer]

hjg said:

thanks TXFENCER. Can I asked how your paths crossed?

.

I have not met Gene. I am familiar with his name through a former AFC club member.

Good luck,

txfencer

[saberbobcat]

I'll make it short and sweet this time. I have had the good fortune to be coached by John Moreau, Kyle Maysel, Paul Schimelman, Lei Tan, & Witold Rak. I am a very lucky lady, indeed. Those ATAC guys helped CBFS be possible. Thanks, coaches.

[captain jon]

It's been a couple of weeks, but I've just now had the time to post this. Witold (the epee fencing coach from BCFA--name pronounced VEE-toe) called me on a Saturday night to let me know what he's been up to and to wish my family a Happy New Year. Seems he found a great place to be an epee coach. He says he's working for two different clubs, six days a week, in New Jersey! He was all excited about a big trip he was about to take, to Philadelphia, PA. I think he's found a fantastic local, and I wish him all the best...To you New Jersey epee fencers, all I can say is "OH-Paaaa!" Take care of this guy, ya hear?

[Pru Reardon]

[glow=red,2,300]I started fencing 4 years ago. The coaches at BCFA were my first coaches. Delfina, Vitold, and Camila. Then I fenced a lot at Katy Blades so August Skopik was another coach of mine. Technically Stephen Moss from the Westchester Fencing Club is my coach because I go to school there, but we have all had multiple coaches over the years. Next fall I'll be attending Texas A&M at College Station so I'll be joining their fencing club. I really enjoyed meeting and fencing with some of the fencers at A&M, especially Coach Dan. WFC can still claim me if they want but I'm really looking forward to fencing new people. Gig'em Aggies! [/glow]

[Parry Nine]

Began spring 99 with Vinnie Bradford (foil). Picked up epee. Got moniteur in foil and epee with Coach Bradford. Took 5 years off. Now coaching with Aaron Clements at Texas Tech. I hope to get my sabre moniteur within this summer and HOPEFULLY a prevost by the 06-07 year.

[DavidSierra]

Started out in the PE Classes at TAMU in the fall of '93. Took lessons over the years from Eric Mallet, Mauro Hamza, Pouj, and Saleet Jaffri. Did apprenticeship coaching under Saleet Jaffri, Ali Khamis, and Jim Carpenter, as well as took coaching seminars presented by Vinnie Bradford, Jerry Benson and Paul Schimmelman. Earned my Moniteur rank in spring of 2004. Recently (November 2004) opened my own club (www.cuttingedgefencing.com) in north Tarrant County (Fort Worth).

[John Tedeschi]

Mr. Trapani-

I, too, am from New Jersey. Though younger to the sport (I only began fencing in 1990) I recognized all the names in your post.

My coach, Tom DiCerbo passed away away in 1996 and was a student of Al Sully (at William Paterson University I believe). He mentioned Maestro Sully many times, always with great respect for his talent.

I had the honor of meeting Tony Orsi, and conversing with him, several times before he too passed away.

Jack Albanese founded the High School fencing program at Indian Hills HS (Bergen County, NJ) of which I am currently the head Girls Coach. Mr. Albanese, also, routinely directs for local high school meets and I see him a half dozen times over the course of the season.

Jack Zelner and John Cilio (some other students of Al Sully) are also still very much involved in New Jersey Fencing as extremely well respected directors.

Anyways, thought you might be interested to know the "line" of coaches that you (and I) are a part of is still alive and marching forward in NJ.

Best Wishes,
John Tedeschi