History of Cornell Fencing

A Dynamic Tradition of Excellence

Cornell has a rich history of excellence in fencing. Officially founded in 1898, the the Cornell Men's Varsity fielded a team every year through 1993 (with a hiatus during World War I). Cornell became a national power in the 1930s under head coach Georges Cointe, competing in the Intercollegiate Fencing Association. The team clinched the IFA three-weapon championship in 1955, and that same year Richard Pew represented Cornell on the world stage, placing fourth in the 1956 Olympics. 

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Women’s fencing at Cornell was established in 1929 and quickly rose to prominence. The first Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association championship was hosted at Cornell in 1929, with the Women's Varsity Team claiming the national crown in 1930 and 1931. They continued to be dominant, enjoying national titles from 1967-69 under the direction of Michel Sebastiani and in 1972 and 1973 under Raoul Sudre. Head coach Graeme Jennings lead the team to consecutive NIWFA championships starting in 1991. Today, Cornell continues its strong tradition in women’s fencing, with Coach Ariana Klinkov leading the team since 2019. Assistant Coach Dan Bass and Director of Operations Holly Buechel joined the Big Red in 2024.

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At the end of the 1993 season, Cornell rescinded the the men’s varsity status. Ever resilient, the team reinvented itself as a student-run Men's Club Team and began competing successfully in the collegiate club circuit. They medal frequently at both the United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC) and at the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA). Members of the Men's Club comprise the official Practice Squad for the Women's Varsity, and sometimes attend competitions with them.

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The fencing community has grown beyond the competitive teams. Cornell alum and students created the Recreational Club for students looking to enjoy the art and sport of fencing in a relaxed and friendly environment.​ The Cornell Fencing Association was founded in 2015 by a group of Cornell fencers and alumni (in partnership with the Athletic Department, Coaching Staff, and the Athletic Alumni Affairs Department) to encourage, promote, and support the fencing program at Cornell University.