SAVE STANFORD FENCING

Fencing has been a tradition at Stanford University since 1891. Your help is needed to save Varsity Fencing, Cardinal Club Fencing, Pirate Camp, Fencing Camps and fencing for physical education. Due to the current economic situation Stanford University must make some difficult choices. Fencing must become self-supporting by spring of 2010. The Save Stanford Fencing Committee has formed to raise the $250,000 operating budget for this academic year 2009-2010, and next academic year, begin to fund an endowment, and to create an organization of Stanford fencers, past, present and future, called the Stanford Fencing Association.

The first phase of the Save Stanford Fencing Campaign to raise the operating budget. Your donations are needed immediately and urgently. Some people are in a position to make substantial cash donations and those are greatly appreciated. Others have volunteered to hold bake sales and garage sales and donate the profits. Gifts to Stanford Athletics of $100 and more that specify FENCING build credits for our support within the Athletic Department, but no gift is too small. Kids who love fencing have offered their pocket change because of how much fencing means to them. If you can make a donation, follow the giving instructions below or give a check to a Committee Member or Coach who will make sure it gets to the right place. If you can donate time and talent, or you have a fund raising idea, speak to or e-mail a Committee Member or Coach. If you have a Facebook Account you can go to the savestanfordfencing Cause page and register. Stanford fencing alumni can go to Linkedin for networking. The web site for the Stanford Fencing Association is now up at www.stanfordfencingassociation.com.  E-mail Webmaster Christopher Lowman at clowman@gmail.com if you have something to contribute to the web site.

A Letter from Alexander Wood on Keeping Fencing a Varsity Sport at Stanford

January 14, 2010

My name is Alex Wood, and I was a member of the Stanford Varsity Fencing Team from 1996 until 2001, serving as captain in 2000-2001, where I became a three-time NCAA All-American in foil.  Due to current economic conditions, Stanford University has had to make some difficult choices, including dropping funding to maintain its Varsity Fencing Team.  Thus I am writing to ask for your help to save the Varsity Fencing Program.  With your help, we will be able to sustain the only Division I Varsity fencing program on the West Coast, continue to use the Varsity fencing facility for the greater Stanford community's Cardinal Fencing Club, and spread the physical and mental benefits of fencing through physical education classes and fencing camps.

As you might know by now, last April the Athletic Department notified the program that the team must be self-supporting by Spring of 2010 in order for it to maintain Varsity status, which includes (1) raising its $250,000 yearly operating budget for this academic year 2009-2010, and for next academic year, 2010-2011; and to embark on funding an endowment that would help finance future operating budgets.  The Save Stanford Fencing Committee formed last spring in order to meet these demands.  Additional information may be found on this website, including the committee's plan, contact information and donation instructions.  The Committee has currently raised nearly $55,000 and thus is in dire need for additional financial support.  Also, given the vast breadth of talented and creative alumni, club and community members, the Committee would also be very interested in forging any business and sponsorship partnerships.

In addition, the Committee is currently building a network of fencers, called the Stanford Fencing Association, www.stanfordfencingassociation.com, which hopefully will be comprised of past and present Varsity fencers, club fencers, and the families and members of the community who care about fencing, to support each other and the sport of fencing at Stanford.  This group will develop programs and publications to promote and preserve Stanford Fencing for many generations.   Also, a number of connection groups have been created, including Linkedin.com (group "Stanford Fencing Alumni") and on facebook.com (groups "Stanford Fencing Alumni" and "Stanford Fencing Team"; causes "Save Stanford Fencing".)  We would appreciate your support in joining any of these groups.

Fencing has been a tradition at Stanford University since 1891.  Stanford University has produced six Olympic fencing team members and more than 20 All-Americans and National Champions.  More importantly, the Stanford fencing program has allowed young men and women to develop self-confidence, camaraderie, and strength of mind.  The greatest thing that Stanford Fencing gave me was the relationships that were created, molded, and sustained to this day.  With your help, Stanford Fencing will be able to bring people together for many more years into the future.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Alex Wood, Stanford, BS 2000, MS 2001 (Varsity Fencing Team-1996-2001)

Alexandria, VA