New USMA / USMAPS Fencing Partnership Under Development

26 November 2007 - Army Fencing is proud to announce a new partnership between the United States Military Academy Fencing team and the United States Military Academy Preparatory School Fencing program. The plan calls for a closer relationship between the two programs and would have Army Fencers travel to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to work directly with the aspiring fencers and to teach them skills and techniques the Cadet candidates can practice on their own in preparation for USMA Fencing tryouts the following fall semester. Although this is not the first coopertive effort between the two programs, it greatly exceeds the scope of previous interactions.

Historically, USMAPS Fencing has been the single largest contributor of fencers to the Army team, paritcularly in Epeé, where 9 of the 10 fencers are former Prepsters. With a recent cut in programs at USMAPS, which included the Fencing Team, the USMA Fencing team appeared to lose its primary recruitment source. By popular demand, however, the Cadet Candidates managed to convince the Prepschool to reinstate a limited Fencing program over the Winter.

It remains to be seen just how effective and embraced this program will become; however, many officials at both schools are excited with the potential benefits the program could have. In addition to the direct mentorship the Cadets will provide the USMAPS Cadet Candidate fencers, the Army Fencing team has invited the Prepsters to compete at the January 20th tournament at West Point and to assist in the operation of the MACFA Championships at West Point later in the spring. It will provide the USMAPS fencers with an excellent opportunity to learn about the MACFA Conference, as well as a chance to see first hand what it takes to be an Army fencer. For the Black Knights, it will offer an opportunity to scout prospective fencers in anticipation of tryouts the following season. Further aspects of the program are still under development and discussion.