Embracing tradition, leading the future.
The United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, providing education and professional training to everyone interested in teaching, coaching, and the welfare of the sport of Fencing in the United States of America.
We are members of the Académie d’Armes Internationale (AAI). Therefore, all USFCA certifications are recognized in all member AAI countries. We have recently entered into a strategic alliance with USA Fencing for the purpose of certifying instructors, creating educational opportunities, and promoting the sport of fencing.
The USFCA empower coaches to advance the sport of fencing through
professional development, certification, and leadership
Vision
We aim to be the leader in fencing coaching education in the U.S. and provide a community for fencing coaches while being a strong advocate and independent voice for fencing coaches.
Core Values
- Excellence in safe instruction.
- Continual professional development.
- Respect for colleagues, students, and the fencing community at large.
- Ethical coaching.
- Diversity and inclusion.
- Transparency in all processes.
Objectives
2023-2027
- Provide increased opportunities for training and certification to fencing coaches both online and with face-to-face clinics.
- Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and ethical culture that reflects the core values of the organization.
- Be the leading voice for fencing coaches in the U.S.
- Optimize leadership and operational effectiveness.
History
In 1941, at the first National Collegiate Fencing Championship in Columbus, Ohio, the first meeting that would eventually lead to the formation of the USFCA was held as a result of a “lack of rapport” between the professional and amateur coaches. A year later, in 1942, at a café in St. Louis, a small group of professional coaches would form a society that would become know as the NFCAA and later the current USFCA. This society comprised of Yale fencing coach Robert “Bobby” Grasson, University of Chicago fencing coach Alvar Hermanson, Maxwell “Mac” Garret, Washington University fencing coach Orest Meykar, and Michigan State fencing Coach Charles R. Schmitter.
From 1946-1947, small meetings were held in New York. Regularly in attendance were Bobby Grasson, Clovis Deladrier, Charles Schmitter, Georges Conte of Cornell and Dernell Every, president of the Amateur Fencers League of America. Clovis Deladrier was elected the first President in 1946 and re-elected at the 1947 meeting. Julio M. Castello of NYU became the first Vice President and the first Secretary-Treasurer was Bobby’s brother Maurice Grasson. After Clovis Delardier’s passing, Joseph Fiems would succeed him as President. Clovis’ son Andre Deldrier served as Secretary Treasurer from 48-50 and later would like his father become President from 60-62
After the war in 1948, at The National Collegiate Fencing Championships at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, over thirty coaches met, beginning what many consider to be the official formation of the USFCA (at the time known as The National College Fencing Coaches Association of America). In order to reflect a broader constituency and to include the expanding number of club coaches, the NCFCAA was changed to the National Fencing Coaching Association of America, or NFCAA. Then in 1982, after the Amateur Fencers League of America changed its name to the United States Fencing Association, the NFCAA would become the USFCA.
The USFCA values diversity and inclusion within our coaching ranks. We recognize that when there is diversity at the table, when women, men, people of all colors, ethnic backgrounds, disability levels and age and the LBGTQ community come together bringing their unique views, the highest quality ideas, products, and roadmaps emerge. This is the path for organizational progress and growth.
