Club Spotlight: Fencing

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members and offers information on how to connect with the clubs. 

To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or ava.aversa@scranton.edu.

Club: University of Scranton Fencing Club

Meet: Morgan Masters '27, a journalism and production from Jessup, is the Fencing Club vice president.

Role in the club: vice-president /  co-captain

Connect: email morgan.masters@scranton.edu 

Any upcoming plans for the spring semester? Please share details about your upcoming events?

For the spring semester, we want to work on growing our membership. Anyone can show up to our meetings every Friday starting at noon. Everyone is welcome to fence with us, and if you are not ready to fence yet and just want to see what we are about, absolutely swing by.
 
What is the Fencing Club mission?

We want to train our members on the use of épée, foil and saber. We want to ensure members are playing safely and fairly. Everyone will learn the proper way to fence. Something very important is that we make sure all of our members feel welcome and have fun.

What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as a club?

Since we just started back up last semester, we do not have any set events. Our practices are a great way to get to know everyone and have fun. We have some plans in the work for fun events next semester!


Why did you join the club? Why would you recommend someone join?

Last semester, the club did not even exist. It had disbanded due to a lack of interest, but the school still had all the equipment stored away. I was talking to some of my friends on campus, and they mentioned they wanted to do fencing. We searched for the club and hit a lot of dead-ends. Then, one day, I met someone on campus who used to fence and wanted to restart the fencing club. Together, we worked to recruit members and solidify a club spot. I wanted to help bring back the fencing club to learn new skills and create new bonds, and it was such a great decision.

I would recommend people join because trying something new is so great. Before this, I had never fenced a day in my life, and now I find it so fun. We have nurtured a fun, judgment-free environment, and everyone does what they are comfortable with.

When and where does the Fencing Club meet, and how can someone who is interested find out more about it? What topics do you discuss?

The Fencing Club meets from 12 to 2 p.m. on Fridays in the Royals Room in the Byron Complex. If someone is interested, they can email me at morgan.masters@scranton.edu 

We are also starting an Instagram page this semester and will be posting more information on RoyalSync.
This is a physical activity club, so we discuss the rules of each sword, how to use them, the proper ways to use equipment, and, most importantly, safety. We will fence each other and refine our skills, learn new techniques and have fun.

Anything we have not asked about that you’d like to mention?

The school has provided all the club’s equipment, so no one has to bring their own. If you come, just make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes so you can move in. We honestly just have a lot of fun, and we hope to see even more people soon!

Shown from left at the Jan. 31 Student Activities Fair are Enzo Angeloni '27, Morgan Masters '27 Fencing Club president and Lucien Liberato '27, Fencing Club vice president. 

Cameron Moczulski and Liam Clare