Fencing exhibition pits old vs. the young

In a three-year tradition, Penn fencing teams will host an alumni match. The fencing program at Penn will be approaching its 100th birthday in the near future. The alumni match is a three-year-old tradition, started by fencing coach Dave Micahnik, that many are looking forward to attending. It is being held this Saturday in the Weightman Gym starting at 1 p.m. The purpose of the alumni meet is very simple, and, while the development aspect is a part of its goal, the main focus is to foster a positive relationship between past fencing teams and the present athletes. It is Micahnik's strong desire to link the generations, which has sparked such a popular event. "Fencing has a terrific tradition, and I would like to have continuity between the fencers and for them to have knowledge of one another," Micahnik said. He explained that there is something tragic about a new team entering without knowing its predecessors. "I want the current team to know and appreciate the people who went before them and how good they are to this day," Micahnik said. The historical meaning of women's fencing at Penn is very enriching. Margo Szabunia, the curator for the Center for the Study of the History of Nursing at the Nursing School, was Penn's first All-American woman fencer during the 1976-1977 season. She remembers the sport treating women differently than the men during her days as a Quaker. She explained how men were allowed five touches, while the women were limited to just four. "Women were not given a choice of weapons and were only allowed to fence foil," Szabunia said. One of her fondest memories is of her coach, Micahnik, who supported members of the women's team who had interest in fencing weapons other than foil. Martha Stachitas, now Director of Alumni Relations at the University, was the first captain of Penn's first women's fencing team in 1973-1974. She remembers trying the sport because of Micahnik's persuasive speech at a Women's Athletic Association meeting some 20 years ago. Stachitas remembers the athletic department being supportive of Micahnik, which led to the addition of the sport for women -- initially as a club sport. "It was fun to be captain, and I did sense a level of extra responsibility," Stachitis said. "I knew Dave was invested in all of us -- we all wanted the program to succeed." And succeed it has. It was due to their early success that the women's fencing club quickly gained varsity status. Micahnik has been instrumental in the outstanding performances of the fencing teams over the years. In his tenure, he has produced 20 male and 10 female All-Americans. This year's captain, senior Liz Cornfield, is able to personally relate to the historical tradition of women's fencing at Penn. She was first introduced to the sport by Quakers legendary fencing coach Maestro Csiszar at the age of 12. Penn was offering kiddie classes taught by the then-coach. Since fencing had been a tradition in her own family -- her grandfather Jules Campos was a prominent European fencer -- Cornfield followed in her family's footsteps. Cornfield said that the team is looking forward to the alumni meet, and she is especially anxious to meet her mother, Flora Cornfield (an assistant dean in the College) in competition. While her mom did graduate from Penn, she did not have the opportunity to fence because the sport was only open to men at that time. Among the alumni spectators can expect to see are 1943 graduate Bob Greenbaum, the men who fenced and won the NCAA for Penn in 1953 -- Frank Bertone, Jack Tori and Bob Parmacek -- 1954 NCAA individual foil champion Bob Goldman, as well as the first man ever to fence on electric foil in 1954 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Micahnik is looking forward to Saturday's event. He also promised to make a special surprise announcement that he says will please fencers both past, present and future to come.