USA Fencing’s New Direction
USA Fencing is looking ahead to expand its presence at the collegiate level after a year marked by significant debates around transgender athletes in women’s events and a change in leadership.
In October, former chairman Damian Lehfeldt chose not to run for re-election. He expressed frustrations in a statement, mentioning, “I did not sign up to spend my nights and weekends dealing with lawsuits, death threats, and distractions.” Dr. Scott Rogers, an active athlete and Paralympic medalist, has now been selected as the new chairman, making history as the first active parafencer to take on this role.
The organization shared its commitment to gaining and keeping the trust of athletes, fans, and the wider fencing community. “Dr. Scott Rogers’ election reflects our commitment to athlete-focused governance and the ongoing growth of fencing at all levels,” the statement continued. They also acknowledged the difficulties faced recently, emphasizing their intent to proceed with integrity and a clear vision for the future.
In an exciting development, USA Fencing is growing its offerings at the NCAA level, with Arcadia University in Pennsylvania and Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey set to introduce men’s and women’s fencing teams by the fall of 2027. Brad Sucholski, who oversees membership and growth for USA Fencing, noted, “Adding fencing roster spots is a win for access, community, and the collegiate model, especially when some collegiate programs face cuts.”
Additionally, USA Fencing has partnered with Rosetta Stone, allowing athletes to access language courses at a discounted price to prepare for international competitions.
Over the past few months, USA Fencing has been navigating a challenging landscape, marked by controversies regarding trans athletes. In April, female fencer Stephanie Turner protested the organization’s policy permitting biological males to compete in women’s categories, which sparked a backlash. Turner’s disqualification after her protest led to scrutiny from the federal government, prompting a Congressional hearing where Lehfeldt was questioned about the organization’s policies.
Subsequently, in June, there were accusations against Lehfeldt from former board members regarding misinformation during the hearings, highlighting tensions within the organization.
In October, Olympic fencer Margherita Guzzi Vincenti filed a lawsuit against USA Fencing, alleging that biological male trans athletes competed against women at a recent tournament without informing competitors of their birth gender.
In response to these situations, USA Fencing has revised its gender eligibility policy, now allowing only biological females to compete in the women’s classification. This change aligns with updates from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which recently adjusted their athlete safety policies in line with Presidential directives.
