STANFORD FENCING
Savestanfordfencing is transitioning to www.stanfordfencingassociation.com
Fencing has been a tradition at Stanford University since 1891. Your help continues to be needed to support Varsity Fencing, Cardinal Club Fencing, Pirate Camp, Fencing Camps and fencing for physical education. Due to the current economic situation Stanford University Fencing must be self-supporting. The Save Stanford Fencing Committee was formed in April 2009 to raise the $250,000 operating budget for the academic year 2009-2010. With the generosity of Mr. Jimi Jung we have the operating budget for this year and four future years. The Stanford Fencing Legends Fund has been created by an anonymous donor who hopes that others will add to the fund until the Fencing Program is secure. We have created an organization of Stanford fencers, past, present and future, called the Stanford Fencing Association.
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 or 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
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.
Alumni fencers, Team members, coaches and club fencers have revived the Stanford Fencing Association, www.stanfordfencingassociation.com, 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
Come meet Alex and other Alumni Fencers, and the current Varsity Team at the Fencing Homecoming Reception on Friday, October 22 at 4 pm-downstairs at the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation at the corner of Galvez and Campus Drive
Write e-mails of support for Stanford Fencing
Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby bowlsby@stanford.edu
President John Hennessy president@stanford.edu
Cardinal Fencing Contact Information for those who have requested it:
Arrillaga Center for Sport and Recreation-downstairs
341 Galvez Street at Campus Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
650 725-3601
www.cardinalfencingclub.com
FENCING AT STANFORD
Stanford University is the only NCAA Division I fencing team on the West Coast
Stanford University Fencing Team is ranked 9th in the Nation
Stanford University Fencing Team contributes to Stanford receiving the Directors Cup
Stanford University attracts scholar-athletes nationally and internationally
Fencing is a sport that is rapidly growing nation-wide
Fencing is an Olympic sport with an increasing number of medals for the United States
Fencing was televised in the last Olympics because the networks recognized increasing interest in the sport
Fencing is a Title IX gender equity sport-equally accessible to men and women
Physical Education fencing is accessible to disabled students, including those using wheelchairs
Fencing is a sport that is accessible to many body types, sizes, ages and personalities
Fencing has a strong tradition of sportsmanship and strategic thinking
Fencing can be a life-long sport
Stanford University Fencing has produced six Olympic fencing team members
Stanford University Fencing has produced more than 20 All-Americans and National Champions
Stanford University Fencing has a long and illustrious history-come look at our medals and trophies!
Stanford University Fencing led the way for women coaches by hiring the first female head coach for a men's Division I team.
Lisa Posthumus, Co-head Coach was just unanimously named NCAA Western Regional Coach of the Year
Stanford University Fencing boasts a new facility that is one of the best in the country
Fencing at Stanford provides a draw for students who would otherwise fence in the Ivy League schools
Finally....They BEAT CAL!!!
Visit the website of the new Stanford Fencing Association at www.stanfordfencingassociation.com
We are delighted to announce that Alumnus Jimi Jung, (Environmental Engineering '04) has given Stanford Athletics a gift of $1,250,000 to support the operating budget for Stanford Fencing. In his presentation announcement Mr. Jung spoke about his commitment to giving back to Stanford and future generations. He encouraged current Team members to remember to give back to Stanford after they graduate.
With the operating budget in place for this and four upcoming years, an anonymous donor has given the gift of $100,000 in seed money to begin an endowment to sustain the fencing program for the future. He has named the endowment the Stanford Fencing Legends Fund. The first four honorees of this fund are George Domolky, Jean Helliwell, Sherry Posthumus and Zoran Tulum. Their biographies will be posted on www.stanfordfencingassociation.com soon. It is the hope of the donor that others will add to this endowment to provide a secure future for Stanford Fencing.
Many donors have made small and moderate donations to Stanford Athletics on behalf of Stanford Fencing. We have received about $75,000 from these donors.
Stanford Fencing Team, Coaches, Club Members, Campers and Committee Members express their gratitude and appreciation to all donors and volunteers. We continue to need volunteers and donations as we work to raise the $5-8 million dollar endowment.
Rumors fly faster than foils in the fencing community. Check this website and www.stanfordfencingassociation.com for accurate information. We are hopeful and optimistic, but the program will not be secure until the endowment is raised.
Rita Comes Whitney, Executive Director of Stanford Fencing Association
Melody Lowman, Vice-president for Outreach
Club and Community Fencing
Stanford University Fencing hosts a strong recreational and competitive, nationally ranked, Cardinal Fencing Club for adults and children
Stanford University Fencing has a 11 year tradition of the over-whelmingly popular children's Pirate Camp
Stanford Varsity fencers serve as camp counselors, instructors and role-modelsHOW TO MAKE A DONATION TO STANFORD FENCING
Please show your support for Stanford Fencing by providing your contact information (click here).
If you want to donate your time, talent and money to Stanford Fencing any Committee Member listed below will be happy to help you.
Cash-Place your donation in a sealed envelope with your name, address and FRIENDS OF FENCING on the envelope. Give it to any coach or committee member. You will receive a thank you and a receipt for your records.
Checks-Make your check out to Stanford Athletics. The memo Line must say FENCING. You can give it to a coach, a committee member or mail it to Friends of Fencing, Gift Processing, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford CA 94305.
Credit cards-Please telephone Jeff Shilling, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at 650 736-8389. He will assist you. You must specify FENCING.
On-line-You may donate on-line at https://givingtostanford.stanford.edu. You must specify FENCING.
Major or Corporate Donors-please contact Abbas Khoshnevissan at akhosh@sbcglobal.net
All donations are tax deductible. We accept pledges and installments. All gifts are appreciated.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your donation within two weeks of donating call or e-mail Melody Lowman
Stanford Fencing Association Officers
Iris Zimmerman, President, Stanford Alumna, Olympic Fencer
Jimi Jung, President of International Communication and Development
Rita Comes Whitney, Executive Director-ravrita@aol.com
Melody Lowman, Vice-President of Outreach-melodymlowmanma@gmail.com 650 493-7707
Abbas Khoshnevissan, Vice-President of Finance, father of Alex and Christopher
Ashley Titan, Captain, Varsity Team Representative, Stanford '12
Chloe Soroquere, Varsity Family Liaison, mother of Turner Caldwell
Christopher Lowman, Stanford Fencing Association Webmaster, Stanford '10
Eva Jellison, Outreach to Social Networks-Stanford '09
Barbra Higgins, Esq., Attorney, Olympic Fencer, Olympic Liaison for SFA
Young Ho Kim, National Coach of Korea, Olympic Liaison for SFA
Lisa Posthumus-Milgram, Co-head Coach, lmilgram@stanford.edu, also representing Pirate Camp
George Pogosov, Co-head Coach, also representing Cardinal Fencing Club
Additonal Committee Members
Max Murphy, Captain
Michelle Paregian, Adult Club fencer
KJ Petsas, father of club fencer, Co-chair for Golf for Fencing Event
If you are interested in volunteering, we want and need your help. Please call or e-mail Melody Lowman
