History

I. Creation of a Men's Fencing Club Team

II. Achievements in MACFA Division III

III. The Cornell Fencing Tradition
(From Cornell Athletic Department)

In 1894, a group of Cornell students loved the sport of fencing so much, they formed the Cornell fencing club. Little did these students know, but their informal club would develop into one of the finest collegiate fencing programs in the country.

The fact is, fencing at Cornell has enjoyed a tradition of excellence since the early 1900s. The Big Red had consistently been represented by a nationally competitive varsity men's team, until the squad was eliminated in 1993 due to budget constraints, while the women's squad has generally placed among the top 10 at the national tournament. Six women at Cornell have gone on to win the individual national championship. While the men's squad no longer possesses full varsity status, the club program still exists and remains strong and competitive.

Fencing first officially became a varsity sport at Cornell in 1898, and the University had fielded a men's team every year through 1992-93, except for a six-year hiatus from 1917-23. A women's fencing club was established in 1926 and Cornell was almost immediately competitive in intercollegiate meets. In 1929, the first Intercollgiate Women's Fencing Association championship tournament was held at Cornell, and by 1930, the Big Red had claimed the national crown.

Francois Darrieulat, the United States Olympic coach in 1920 and 1924, led the men fencers to the Intercollegiate Fencing Association foil championship in 1927 and the women to the 1930 national crown. J. Elizabeth Ross Moore '30 was the first two-time IWFA individual champion, taking the title in 1930 and 1931.

The men's team became a national power in the 1930s when Georges Cointe became head coach. Cointe turned out successful teams during his entire reign as Cornell coach, and his 1955 team was IFA epee and three-weapon champion. Richard Pew '55 was the national runner-up in 1955 and he placed fourth in the 1956 Olympics.

Raoul Sudre continued the rich tradition of Big Red fencing when he served as coach from 1961-1976. Sudre was three times named Coach of the Year by both the NCAA and NIWFA and in 1975 led the men to a second-place finish at the national championships.

The women enjoyed national titles from 1967-69 under the direction of Michel Sebastiani and in both 1972 and 1973 under Sudre. The Big Red had a combined record of 140-73 under Sudre. Karen Denton '68 took the IWFA individual title as a senior, while Peggy Walbridge '74 was a three-time All-American who won the national title in her final season.

Jean-Jacques Gillet, assistant coach since 1970, became head coach in 1977.

The women's squad went 13-0 and placed second in the NIWFA tournament in 1977, finished fourth at the AIAW championships in 1982 and placed seventh at the NCAA championships in 1983.

In 1988, Graeme Jennings took over for the retired Gillet and coached an All-American, an All-Ivy selection, and numerous individuals who have competed at the NCAA championships.

John Helmich coached the women from 1991-95 and tutored some impressive competitors along the way, including Kim Charlton, who won the individual title at the NIWFAs in 1994.