Fencing can be traced back to around 1190 B.C. when carvings were found in a temple near Luxor, a city in ancient Egypt. It wasn’t until the 14th or 15th century when it transitioned from military training to a sport in Germany and Italy. Fencing is also one of the 40 competitive sports clubs available through Campus Recreation (CRC). Every year, the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club (YJFC) partakes in numerous tournaments against other colleges throughout the United States. Learn more about why the YJFC was selected as the March sport club of the month!  

Foil, Sabre, and Épée may not be words you are familiar with but Gavin McGuire, YJFC vice president and 3rd -year materials science and engineering major shares with us the intricacies of this sport.  

Q: Can you tell me about the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club?

A: YJFC was founded in 2004 as a way for Tech students to continue their passion for the sport of fencing beyond high school. At the time, we only practiced twice a week, I believe, but now we have two regular practices a week, along with an extra session of “free fencing” where our members can scrimmage against one another. We also hold a weekend session for our competitive team. Every March, we hold the largest tournament in the south- Yellow Jacket Open. This tournament regularly brings hundreds of fencers from across the region of all skill levels- we’ve had absolute beginners, and we’ve had Olympians from other countries!

Q:  What are some reasons for joining the fencing club?

A: Fencing is a fantastic sport that can cater to just about anyone. There are three unique weapons (disciplines) within the sport of fencing, so whether you want to fence with speed and power, or slow it down a bit and take it as more of a mind-game, there’s a spot for you in the club! One of our major values as a club is or sense of community. YJFC extends way beyond the walls of the CRC, and we have all sorts of social events, career-building opportunities, and study sessions for our members. We’re essentially a fraternity without a house!

 Q: What advice do you have for people interested in fencing?

 A: Don’t be afraid to shop around when it comes to figuring out which weapon you’d like to fence! While we recommend that you generally commit to one of the three weapons before learning a second one, we encourage all our new members to try out all three before they make up their mind on which one they’ll ultimately pursue!

Q: As a member of the fencing club, do you have a favorite memory or experience?

A: Every summer, there’s a fencing tournament on a beach in Tybee Island, GA called Saber in the Surf. It’s a big affair where fencers from Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida all get together and fence in the sand and surf, with honor-system refereeing and a whole lot of fun! As you progress deeper and deeper into the tournament bracket, the matches take place deeper and deeper in the water! Of course, this tournament isn’t anything official, so everyone’s just there to have a good time with their friends and unwind in the sun. I actually flew down from New York the summer after my freshman year to participate in the tournament, and hope that I’m in the area this summer to do it again!

Q: What was the greatest lesson you learned from fencing that has helped you succeed in college?

 A: It’s often said that practice makes perfect but this isn’t completely true. It’s better to say that perfect practice makes perfect. You can come to practice and goof off, have fun, and still have a great time with YJFC- That’s how I fenced my first year, mostly! However, if you really want to improve as a fencer, you need to kick it up a gear or two. Coming to practice is great, but coming and giving every day your all so you can get that extra inch out of a lunge or be a little bit faster or stronger than your opponent is so, so much better.

The same is true for academics- you can have study groups, team meetings, and review sessions, but if you’re not really paying attention or if your practice isn’t perfect, then you won’t get the results you’re hoping for.

Q: What athlete do you admire the most and why?

A: In terms of fencers, I’m a fan of Yuki Ota, a Japanese foilist. He’s got a remarkably technical and speedy style that’s just fantastic to watch. He has always seemed nice and respectful both on and off the strip, as professional sportsmen should be!

However, my favorite overall athlete is a South Korean soccer player in the English Premier League named Heung-Min Son. He’s an extremely hard worker, has a wonderful attitude towards his teammates and the community at large, and just overall exemplifies the fact that not all superstars have huge egos. He’s a great example of someone who uses their fame and fortune for the benefit of those around them and never lets it get to his head.

Q:  How can students join the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club?

 A: Come by the backcourts of the CRC fourth floor during the first few weeks of any semester. We have open practices from 8:00 to 10:00 PM every Tuesday and Thursday evening!