who we are

The RPI Fencing Club is a student run club which promotes the sport of fencing in the Capital District. The club is open to students and the community alike. We have a coaching staff of a head coach and assistant coach who hold lessons and a behind the scenes crew of five students who make the club work. We offer beginner lessons in foil and some epee and saber lessons for fencers with some experience during the fall. In the spring semester we have lessons for beginners and experienced fencers in each weapon. The spring lessons are less structured with one weapon per night being taught. The weapons each night rotate. Our lessons are held as group lessons with typically 10-30 fencers. We encourage fencers of all skill levels (including those who have never fenced before). Because this is a college club, our members range from 13 years old to a former RPI Fencing Coach who is 88. Children under 13 are welcome to come and check out the club. If the parent and club president feels that the child will be able to handle fencing in an environment of mostly adults, he or she is welcome to join.

We get involved in the community by doing demonstrations at schools and YMCA's. If you are interested in holding a fencing demonstration contact the club officers at fencing@union.rpi.edu.

The other draw to the club is our tournaments. We hold two to three tournaments a year. In October RPI hosts a tournament as an introduction to fencing for our beginners. This is a large tournament with fencers from all areas of the East Coast of all skill levels. The competition is traditionally very good. Information about this tournament as far as date and times will be posted three months prior to the event.

Once a year, RPI hosts the Frank Collins Team Tournament as a tribute to our long time coach, Frank Collins who has become a fencing legend in the Capital Region. It is a three weapon event. Each team will be comprised of three to four fencers. For more information about this tournament please see our tournaments page or contact us at fencing@union.rpi.edu. The results from the 2006 Frank Collins Team Tournament are posted in the Tournament - Results section of this website.

Our largest event is the RPI Open is the which is traditionally held the first weekend of April. This is one of the biggest tournaments on the East Coast that is not a national event. The RPI Open draws from several regions of the United States and occasionally Canada. A list of vendors and more information will be posted as the tournament draws near. For more information about this tournament please see our tournaments page or contact us at fencing@union.rpi.edu.

join us!

Join the RPI Fencing Club and learn the art of fencing. Practice is held biweekly during the academic year on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 - 10:30pm. Practice is in the basement of the RPI Armory located on 15th Street in Troy. Directions and a map can be found below.

Membership is $90 per year for RPI students, and $130 per year for non student fencers. For payment method information, email the club officers at fencing@union.rpi.edu. We provide equipment for all members who do not have what they need. We ask that all members buy a glove that they can purchase through us for $15.

For more information or if you have any questions contact the club officers at fencing@union.rpi.edu

semester calendar

calendar for the spring 2006 semester

Directions

From I-787: Green Island exit across bridge to Troy, bear right up hill. After "S" curve, turn right at light onto 15th St.

From Rt. 7 / Hoosick St.: Turn onto 15th St following the signs for RPI (turn on side opposite Hess gas station).

Armory: The Armory is the large brick building on left beyond pedestrian bridge.

87 Gym: Turn right at the third light on 15th St. The 87 Gym is the large building on the left just before the entrance road. You can park anywhere on the road or take your first right and follow the road into the large parking lot. To enter the 87 Gym walk down the entry road and enter through the door facing the football field. The gyms are on the top floor.