About SCFC
Fencing is an activity which has been around for a long time, with its origins in the sword fighting duels of old. Nowadays, fencing is purely a sporting event that focuses on improving balance, coordination, strategic thinking and concentration.
SCFC instructors teach basic fencing skills, both offensive and defensive, and they emphasize the positive aspects of the sport, including its high regard for courtesy and chivalry. Beginning fencers learn about the three different weapons (foil, epee, sabre) and how to wield them in an effective and responsible manner.
If you are interested in fencing in Fort Wayne, please join us at the St. Henry Community Center on Tuesday or Thursday evenings, or e-mail scfc@summitcityfencing.org.
To learn more about Summit City Fencing Club membership, classes, and lessons click the “Instruction” link!
Competitive fencers within the Fort Wayne community pay dues to be part of the United States Fencing Association. USFA members may participate in fencing tournaments around the state and the Midwest. They are even able to qualify to fence in national tournaments across the country! USFA members act within a certain code of conduct and share a common idea of what constitutes proper fencing. The Summit City Fencing Club is proud to be affiliated with this organization and encourages all its members to join.
The history of fencing in Fort Wayne
Fencing activities in Fort Wayne trail back into the mists of time. Fort Wayne has a very strong German heritage, and the German school of fencing has been taught in this area for a long time.
In 1972, the Fort Wayne Fencers Club was housed at the Jefferson Adult Recreation Center in Fort Wayne. Henry Wahl taught classes there in conjunction with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. They taught classes and did demonstrations until the building was torn down. Additionally, Henry taught Theatre III at Indiana University–Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW) during this period, which was essentially a sport/theatrical fencing class.
Around 1980, Gregory Wible started a fencing program at St. Francis College and Chapel. There, they did the usual classes, demos, and tournaments. As this program faded in the late 1980s, IPFW classes started. There, led by Heinz Wahl (son of Henry), fencers began meeting in the basement of Kettler Hall. The Fort Wayne Fencing Club formed in 1995 and fenced in the IPFW gymnasium regularly, but a policy change in 1999 requiring all fencers to actually be students and faculty of the university forced some fencers to go elsewhere.
The non-college group, soon renamed the Summit City Fencing Club and led by Jaison Laker (formerly part of Heinz Wahl’s group at IPFW), looked for alternative “hosts” for the club during Summer 1999, finally settling in with the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department through March 2008. The SCFC grew in numbers and equipment, in order to teach the Parks Dept classes and promote competitive fencing. Members since 1999 have included a diverse group from both within and outside Fort Wayne, with interests ranging between recreational and competitive fencing in all three weapons. Steve Koehneke was the creator and first webmaster of www.summitcityfencing.org, and Michael MacLeod designed the original logo. In 2006, the club formally ratified a constitution in February and held the first round of interim elections in March. The first round of club officers included Jaison Laker (president, treasurer), Steve Koehneke (vice-president), Michael MacLeod (secretary), and Tim Hegemier (armorer). These four also served on the first Board of Directors, along with Claire Nersessian for a total of five Board members, with Tim Hegemier acting as chairman. See the current list of officers here.
The SCFC first opened its own club practice area along Engle Road in October 2006 at 4123 Clubview Drive, a storefront which served as our base of operations through June 2008. During this time, Zion Lutheran Academy (2313 Hanna St.) served as our tournament venue. In July 2008, the club had to make a quick transition when the Clubview Drive storefront became unavailable, so the SCFC moved into Zion Lutheran Academy temporarily for practices as well. In September 2008, the club officers established an agreement with Imagine MASTer Academy (2000 N. Wells St.) for the use of their Reception Hall as a practice venue. After a year and another search, the SCFC has made the St. Henry Community Center (3029 E. Paulding Rd.) its current base of operations since June 2009.
The SCFC remains community-based to this day, offering classes for adults and youth. We also promote competitive fencing by holding both local events and USFA-sanctioned tournaments each year. We currently host tournaments at the SHCC and also travel to attend events hosted by other clubs in the Great Lakes Section!
