American May / June 1978 ,.. Volume 29, No.5 American T able of conte FENCING Article: From the President by Irwin Bernstein Official publication of the Amateur Fencers League of America, Inc. Where Do We Go Frorn Herel by Shelley Berman ..... :91978 Amateur Fencers League of America, Inc. How To Tell a Real Foil Fence by Dernell Every Dedicated to the memory of JOSE R. deCAPRILES, 1912-1969 In Memoriam - Silvio Vitale by Dr. Edo Marion. Second Class Postage In Search of the Missing Inch­ paid at Berkeley, CA 94704 The Hip Way to Lunge and at additional mailing offices by Stephen Cook Editor: Harriet King Senior Olympics Art Director: Diane King A National Fencing Circuit Business Manager: Eleanor Turney by Gregory Belok . Production Manager: Peter J. Kahn Policy Board: Irwin F. Bernstein. Chairman: Har­ Fencing Glossary riet King, Ralph Goldstein (Editor by Rob Handelman Howard Goodman, WL. Osborn, Eleanor Photo Contest Winners Send all contrrbutions and correspondence to and thro American Fencing Nat'l Squad Results ... 1250 Ellis #11 San Francisco, CA 94109 Squad Point Standings .. President: Irwin F. Bernstein Competition Results .. Secretary: Eleanor Turney. 601 Curtis S1.. (NCAA, Pentathlon, AI bany. CA 94706 Western Women, Easterns, N.E. Wornen's Collegiate, Send all returns and changes of address to: W. Virginia Div, N.A. AFLA, 601 Curtis St., Albany, CA 94706 Intercollegiates, Mid- Atlantic Intercollegiates, Big 10, Santelli Trophy, Blue j; Fencing Club of Denver by Cathy Jackson About the cover DEADLINE FOR 1977-78 ISSUES One of the most interesting ar Issue Date Closing Date Mailing Date i ng entrants in American FerKin, For Copy test is our cover shot this month. July/Aug. June 10 Aug. tive and results-oriented arena Sep/Oct Aug. 10 Oct. about both perspective and val 2116 FI LLMORE STREET. SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94115 Nov!Dec Oct. 10 Dec. The photo was submitted by PO. BOX 7972. SAN FRANCISCO. CA.94120 .415/346-8662 Jan/Feb Dec. 10 Feb. mings of the Washington, D.C. 'WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE From the President by Shelley Berman monstratlons at schools, The Maine Fencing Development Prog­ associations or shopping a by Irwin Bernstein ram has been in operation for 4 months and I this person could some up can already see major changes in Maine tive ideas like a tournarner The report of the President's cials, with the host division and its fencing. We have doubled our membership, various news teams agains Commission on Olympic Sports con­ neighbors turning out in force and put on 20 demonstrations to over 5000 2. Putting on demonstrations c tained much worthwhile information several of our best officials traveling to people, and sparked a level of enthusiasm at the physical education conventions. This would be and some very perceptive comments any part of the country without a spe­ that brought 42 men to our national qualifiers in foil and 20 in each of the other weapons. I to catch the eye of those w on the organization and administra­ cial invitation. We leave this event foresee a continuing gruwth as we keep up teaching fencing. tion of many amateur sports. I found each year with a rather warm feeling fencing in the news and develop training 3. Contacting the major sport: myself in agreement with most of the about our very visible assets! programs for physical education instructors. and shows to encourage Commission's recommendations Less visible but equally essential are As I look at what we've accomplished in 4 specials on fencing and IT and I helped to incorporate many of the hundreds of volunteers who pre­ months I begil' tilinkirlg of the potential for a events. Every once in a wh them in the revised constitution of the pare sites for tournaments, manage nationwide development program. I'd like to article on fencing or some U.S. Olympic Committee in 1977. competitions, arrange division set in motion among us a discussion. That sonality but we need to maf There was one suggestion that I schedules, process memberships, discussion focuses on one key issue "How age more consistent and ml strongly opposed, however, and when keep equipment in running order, can we best spend our dues money and 4. Presenting demonstratio it subsequently appeared in a draft of publish newsletters and our other funds to expand American fencing?" shops at the national conve a proposed Senate bill on amateur To kick off this discussion I'd like to present instructors, principals, cu magazine, and serve on committees velopers, athletic directors sports I voiced my opposition to the at all levels. Since we do not have a what I see as a viable national development program. tional personnel This woul sponsoring Senator and was pleased professional administrative staff, The program would have three elements: inroad to those people whc to see it eliminated from a later draft. every inquiry we receive must be 1. Promotion and publicity and financial decisions t This clause would have limited to 10 handled by a volunteer or discarded. 2. Education and training school and recreational at years the consecutive service of an Obviously we try to respond helpfully 3. Stimulating AFLA yluwlh The guts of any national effor officer or member of the Board of whenever possible. This may take the Advertising functions on a basic principle we've stimulated people's intel Directors of a national governing form of providing technical informa­ Tell people about something enough times to be able to help people get body (such as the AFLA). My argu­ tion and advice to a journalist or attor­ in an interesting manner and they'll buy it. providing courses and clubs fc ment was that the most valuable asset ney, arranging for a demonstration on Applied to fencing it's obvious that people to. This is more difficult than of a national governing body is the television or at a public event, conven­ arent going to get involved in fencing if they effort because there is a lack oj are not made conscidus of what it is or how it tors who have any experience ir continuous, dedicated and effective ing a special committee to nominate a lack of fencing masters in oth service of its volunteer workers; we an appropriate candidate for a sports can benefit them. In Maine we've found that when we get TV or newspaper coverage of ralurban areas. Again these di could not function without them. award, or almost any other topic re­ tournaments and classes we get more and be overcome. Each February we run our AFLA lated to fenCing. Each day's mail may more people calling and writing asking how 1. We could nationally circula Junior Olympic Championships over contain another challenge and our they can get involved. education unit on fencing a 3 day weekend with a field that is volunteers are usually equal to them. Nationally I think we can make more being put together by the steadily growing in quality as well as The people who serve fencing are people aware of fencing by ing Development Program quantity. The officiating demands are truly the AFLA's greatest assets. Let 1 Identifying one person in each division include two filmstrips anc enormous since the 8'events usually me take this opportunity to say thanks to head up and coordinate all promo­ lesson plans for up to a qUe consume about 35 to 40 hours over on behalf of the AFLA and all fencers, tional efforts This person could pub­ course in fencing. This WOl the 3 days. Despite this burden, of­ and to assure you that we will en­ licize tournaments before they occur to perienced instructors a re that details the specific c ficiating has not been a problem be­ deavor to reward you in the only way attract spectators rather then Just report­ ing the results. This person could also activities Having a unit li~ cause we have always been blessed we can - with more work! do special articles or get TV time to sigrlificantly ease the strair with large numbers of competent offi- cover each cf the clubs or salles. He or to start a fencing program she could organize local fencing de- more likely that a program 2. The AFLA could offer a nationwide money to put on school demol workshop on fund raising and grant writ­ help new fencing programs ing to such programs as CETA There's ground. no reason that each division couldn't 6. Finally, Id like to see the AF have two full-time CET A workers as we funding either to the USOC do to carry out the development prog­ for two or three full time p8 ram. This should be especially true coordinate our national c since CETA officials rlave sited our program. A paid staff can't I CETA office. Penobscot County, as vide consistent consultati exemplary (Newsweek 4/24/78, p.84). couragement to the individt 3. The AFLA could also offer naliorlwide To fund all these efforts I fee workshops in division administration variety of options. First, I feel WE and development planning for those solicit specially earmarked do who are new at it or those who'd like to our past and present membc share ideas The workshop offered last would gladly give to such an year at the nationals is an example of found in Maine that many non this. were encouraged to join the AI 4. Each division interested in beginning a because they wanted to help, development program should be able to ment efforts. Second, we COL apply for funding from the AFLA, detail­ USOC monies to partially supp ing their project description, funding these programs bring back thE needs, matching local resources, etc.