Are you a parent supporting a young fencer’s dream of competing in college? Building a strong fencing resume and navigating NCAA recruitment can feel daunting—but you’re not alone. This comprehensive guide explains what college coaches look for, how to highlight both athletic and academic achievements, and the steps to connect your student with top collegiate fencing programs and scholarships.
What Should a Fencing Resume Include?
A fencing resume is a one-page document that showcases your student’s fencing and academic accomplishments. College coaches receive dozens each year—make yours clear, complete, and up to date.
Must-Have Sections:
Personal & Contact Info: Student’s name, graduation year, club affiliation, high school, coach contacts.
Fencing Profile: Weapon(s), dominant hand, rating/ranking, years of experience, height.
Competition Results: List national, regional, and major divisional events: dates, placements, and improvements. Include current USA Fencing and international rankings when possible.
Academic Details: GPA, test scores (SAT/ACT), class rank, advanced classes, honors.
Highlights & Awards: Medals, special team results, sportsmanship or leadership recognition.
Video Links: Short highlight reels (2–3 minutes, hosted on YouTube or Vimeo) showing technique, footwork, and composure.
References: Club and school coach emails/phone numbers.
“Coaches look beyond medals—they want student-athletes who show leadership, bounce back from losses, and support their teammates,” says Jennie Salmon, Head Coach at Temple University.
Why Both Competition Results and Academic Achievement Matter
Strong results and rankings show coaches how your student performs on the strip. Participation and success at USA Fencing regionals and Summer Nationals can set your student apart. Keep records of each season’s results, and summarize both progress and consistency.
Academics are essential. All NCAA fencers must meet minimum eligibility requirements. Elite programs (Ivies, top-10 DI) expect strong grades, high test scores, and advanced coursework. Many scholarships combine athletic and academic aid, so a robust academic resume will open more options and increase scholarship potential.
How to Contact and Impress College Fencing Coaches
When to start:
Begin planning the fencing resume by 9th or 10th grade.
Official NCAA recruiting contact with Division I coaches opens June 15 after sophomore year.
Best Practices:
Email coaches directly with your resume, highlight reel, and a short personal message. Address them by name and mention specific details about their program.
Keep communications concise, update coaches after significant tournaments or academic milestones, and be professional.
Build a shortlist of programs that match your student’s skill and academic profile.
Colleges Offering Fencing Scholarships and Opportunities
Many parents wonder which colleges provide scholarships or support for fencers. Here are notable examples:
School | Scholarship Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Notre Dame | Athletic + Academic | Multiple national titles, top-tier men’s and women’s teams |
Penn State | Athletic + Endowed | Fencing-specific scholarships available |
Ohio State | Athletic + Academic | D1 powerhouse with deep support |
St. John’s | Athletic + Academic | Strong East Coast fencing tradition |
Columbia, Harvard, Yale | Academic/Need-Based | No athletic aid but active recruiting and excellent financial aid |
Stanford | Academic/Need-Based | Elite team with strong academic resources |
Sample Outline: Fencing Resume
Section | Example |
|---|---|
Personal | Name, grad year, email, phone |
Fencing | Weapon, rating, experience, club coach |
Results | Top 8 finish, NAC/Summer Nat'l results |
Academics | GPA, SAT/ACT, honors/AP |
Video | YouTube link |
References | Club & school coaches |
Tips for Parents and Fencers
Update resumes each season with fencing results and academic milestones.
Prioritize time management. Top coaches note student-athletes who balance school, fencing, and outside interests are better equipped for college demands.
Encourage your student to be proactive—initiating polite, consistent communication can make a strong impression.
Leverage your network. Club coaches and teammates can offer recommendations and insight into schools and coaches.
With organization, effort, and a clear understanding of the journey from club to college strip, your family can successfully navigate fencing recruitment and maximize your student-athlete’s opportunities for scholarships and collegiate fencing success.
Check out our Fencing Playbooks for Parents for a complete roadmap from club to college.
Are you a parent supporting a young fencer’s dream of competing in college? Building a strong fencing resume and navigating NCAA recruitment can feel daunting—but you’re not alone. This comprehensive guide explains what college coaches look for, how to highlight both athletic and academic achievements, and the steps to connect your student with top collegiate fencing programs and scholarships.
What Should a Fencing Resume Include?
A fencing resume is a one-page document that showcases your student’s fencing and academic accomplishments. College coaches receive dozens each year—make yours clear, complete, and up to date.
Must-Have Sections:
Personal & Contact Info: Student’s name, graduation year, club affiliation, high school, coach contacts.
Fencing Profile: Weapon(s), dominant hand, rating/ranking, years of experience, height.
Competition Results: List national, regional, and major divisional events: dates, placements, and improvements. Include current USA Fencing and international rankings when possible.
Academic Details: GPA, test scores (SAT/ACT), class rank, advanced classes, honors.
Highlights & Awards: Medals, special team results, sportsmanship or leadership recognition.
Video Links: Short highlight reels (2–3 minutes, hosted on YouTube or Vimeo) showing technique, footwork, and composure.
References: Club and school coach emails/phone numbers.
“Coaches look beyond medals—they want student-athletes who show leadership, bounce back from losses, and support their teammates,” says Jennie Salmon, Head Coach at Temple University.
Why Both Competition Results and Academic Achievement Matter
Strong results and rankings show coaches how your student performs on the strip. Participation and success at USA Fencing regionals and Summer Nationals can set your student apart. Keep records of each season’s results, and summarize both progress and consistency.
Academics are essential. All NCAA fencers must meet minimum eligibility requirements. Elite programs (Ivies, top-10 DI) expect strong grades, high test scores, and advanced coursework. Many scholarships combine athletic and academic aid, so a robust academic resume will open more options and increase scholarship potential.
How to Contact and Impress College Fencing Coaches
When to start:
Begin planning the fencing resume by 9th or 10th grade.
Official NCAA recruiting contact with Division I coaches opens June 15 after sophomore year.
Best Practices:
Email coaches directly with your resume, highlight reel, and a short personal message. Address them by name and mention specific details about their program.
Keep communications concise, update coaches after significant tournaments or academic milestones, and be professional.
Build a shortlist of programs that match your student’s skill and academic profile.
Colleges Offering Fencing Scholarships and Opportunities
Many parents wonder which colleges provide scholarships or support for fencers. Here are notable examples:
School | Scholarship Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Notre Dame | Athletic + Academic | Multiple national titles, top-tier men’s and women’s teams |
Penn State | Athletic + Endowed | Fencing-specific scholarships available |
Ohio State | Athletic + Academic | D1 powerhouse with deep support |
St. John’s | Athletic + Academic | Strong East Coast fencing tradition |
Columbia, Harvard, Yale | Academic/Need-Based | No athletic aid but active recruiting and excellent financial aid |
Stanford | Academic/Need-Based | Elite team with strong academic resources |
Sample Outline: Fencing Resume
Section | Example |
|---|---|
Personal | Name, grad year, email, phone |
Fencing | Weapon, rating, experience, club coach |
Results | Top 8 finish, NAC/Summer Nat'l results |
Academics | GPA, SAT/ACT, honors/AP |
Video | YouTube link |
References | Club & school coaches |
Tips for Parents and Fencers
Update resumes each season with fencing results and academic milestones.
Prioritize time management. Top coaches note student-athletes who balance school, fencing, and outside interests are better equipped for college demands.
Encourage your student to be proactive—initiating polite, consistent communication can make a strong impression.
Leverage your network. Club coaches and teammates can offer recommendations and insight into schools and coaches.
With organization, effort, and a clear understanding of the journey from club to college strip, your family can successfully navigate fencing recruitment and maximize your student-athlete’s opportunities for scholarships and collegiate fencing success.
Check out our Fencing Playbooks for Parents for a complete roadmap from club to college.
Are you a parent supporting a young fencer’s dream of competing in college? Building a strong fencing resume and navigating NCAA recruitment can feel daunting—but you’re not alone. This comprehensive guide explains what college coaches look for, how to highlight both athletic and academic achievements, and the steps to connect your student with top collegiate fencing programs and scholarships.
What Should a Fencing Resume Include?
A fencing resume is a one-page document that showcases your student’s fencing and academic accomplishments. College coaches receive dozens each year—make yours clear, complete, and up to date.
Must-Have Sections:
Personal & Contact Info: Student’s name, graduation year, club affiliation, high school, coach contacts.
Fencing Profile: Weapon(s), dominant hand, rating/ranking, years of experience, height.
Competition Results: List national, regional, and major divisional events: dates, placements, and improvements. Include current USA Fencing and international rankings when possible.
Academic Details: GPA, test scores (SAT/ACT), class rank, advanced classes, honors.
Highlights & Awards: Medals, special team results, sportsmanship or leadership recognition.
Video Links: Short highlight reels (2–3 minutes, hosted on YouTube or Vimeo) showing technique, footwork, and composure.
References: Club and school coach emails/phone numbers.
“Coaches look beyond medals—they want student-athletes who show leadership, bounce back from losses, and support their teammates,” says Jennie Salmon, Head Coach at Temple University.
Why Both Competition Results and Academic Achievement Matter
Strong results and rankings show coaches how your student performs on the strip. Participation and success at USA Fencing regionals and Summer Nationals can set your student apart. Keep records of each season’s results, and summarize both progress and consistency.
Academics are essential. All NCAA fencers must meet minimum eligibility requirements. Elite programs (Ivies, top-10 DI) expect strong grades, high test scores, and advanced coursework. Many scholarships combine athletic and academic aid, so a robust academic resume will open more options and increase scholarship potential.
How to Contact and Impress College Fencing Coaches
When to start:
Begin planning the fencing resume by 9th or 10th grade.
Official NCAA recruiting contact with Division I coaches opens June 15 after sophomore year.
Best Practices:
Email coaches directly with your resume, highlight reel, and a short personal message. Address them by name and mention specific details about their program.
Keep communications concise, update coaches after significant tournaments or academic milestones, and be professional.
Build a shortlist of programs that match your student’s skill and academic profile.
Colleges Offering Fencing Scholarships and Opportunities
Many parents wonder which colleges provide scholarships or support for fencers. Here are notable examples:
School | Scholarship Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Notre Dame | Athletic + Academic | Multiple national titles, top-tier men’s and women’s teams |
Penn State | Athletic + Endowed | Fencing-specific scholarships available |
Ohio State | Athletic + Academic | D1 powerhouse with deep support |
St. John’s | Athletic + Academic | Strong East Coast fencing tradition |
Columbia, Harvard, Yale | Academic/Need-Based | No athletic aid but active recruiting and excellent financial aid |
Stanford | Academic/Need-Based | Elite team with strong academic resources |
Sample Outline: Fencing Resume
Section | Example |
|---|---|
Personal | Name, grad year, email, phone |
Fencing | Weapon, rating, experience, club coach |
Results | Top 8 finish, NAC/Summer Nat'l results |
Academics | GPA, SAT/ACT, honors/AP |
Video | YouTube link |
References | Club & school coaches |
Tips for Parents and Fencers
Update resumes each season with fencing results and academic milestones.
Prioritize time management. Top coaches note student-athletes who balance school, fencing, and outside interests are better equipped for college demands.
Encourage your student to be proactive—initiating polite, consistent communication can make a strong impression.
Leverage your network. Club coaches and teammates can offer recommendations and insight into schools and coaches.
With organization, effort, and a clear understanding of the journey from club to college strip, your family can successfully navigate fencing recruitment and maximize your student-athlete’s opportunities for scholarships and collegiate fencing success.
Check out our Fencing Playbooks for Parents for a complete roadmap from club to college.