Fencing club prepares for season, success

The IU Fencing Club is preparing for another year of captivating sword fighting with high expectations for a good season.\n"Last year was one of our best in a long time, and we'd like to see that continue through this year," said club president and senior Andy Murphy. \nThe club was founded more than 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest clubs at IU. Coach Rich Stocum, who lives in Indianapolis and instructs the Indianapolis Fencing Club, commutes to Bloomington for practices each week to teach fencers of all age and skill level.\nMurphy said the sport has become popular largely because of publicity through films.\n"Many of the people that join (the club) are people that have seen sword fighting in movies or TV or whatever, and decided that it would be worth learning," he said. \nErin Callahan, a junior and club member, said movies are not a true comparison to the sport.\n"Movie sword fighting isn't taught with lethal moves, where sport fencing is," he said. "Usually movies use broad, circular attacks that are safer and more fun to watch."\nOthers that join the fencing club are students enrolled in one of the beginner classes just as an elective and find they really enjoy it. \n"I took a beginning class first semester of my freshman year just for fun, as relief from all of my academics," Murphy said. "I really got into it, though, and I joined ... the following semester."\nSince no official NCAA fencing program exists, most of the tournaments the club competes in are nationwide. \n"You can learn so much from fencing (other teams); they're that good." senior and club vice president Matt Michalovich said. \nThis year, the club has decided to wait until second semester to have any home tournaments. The biggest of these tournaments is the Fred Coons Memorial Open, which is named after an alumnus of the club. It is tentatively scheduled for mid to late February. \nThe tournaments are scheduled to be held in the Multi-Sport 3 room of the Student Recreational Sports Center. Each tournament is free and open to the public. \n"We encourage everyone to come," Murphy said, "Its definitely worth seeing."\nThe University offers two fencing classes. Beginning and intermediate levels are taught in the School of Health, Physical, Education and Recreation. The club carries a fee of $20 and is open to all students and residents. No prerequisite or experience is required to join. Practices are 6-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4-6 p.m. Friday in HPER 293.