ATTENTION : THIS IS THE OLD WEB PAGE FOR ON TARGET FENCING. THIS PAGE WILL NOT BE UPDATED AND WILL BE SHUT DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
The ON TARGET Fencing Team of Northern Ohio is a group of Foil, Epee and Sabre fencers from Erie
County, Lorain County, Lake County, Summit County and the west side of Cuyahoga County. We have classes
in Hudson (3 classes), North Ridgeville (4 classes), North Olmsted, Sandusky (2 classes), Strongsville, Westlake, Wickliffe, St Augustine Academy (Lakewood), St Joseph’s Academy (Rocky River) John Marshall High (Cleveland) and North Ridgeville High. Registered with, and insured by the United States Fencing Association, it is an official fencing club. Head Coach Tom Nagy, a 25 year fencing veteran, is certified by the United States Fencing Coaches Association as an instructor in foil. Rich Hamper is epee coach. Joe Fazekas is sabre coach.
ON TARGET has its own Internet Forum on Delphi. Click on the link and come join us to interact with
other club members and to discuss various aspects of the sport of fencing. All fencers and wannabee
fencers are welcome.
Forum
Front Row : Julie Rozman, Steve Hixson, Dale Gallo, Evan Dadisman,
Pete Gallo, Dan Brown, Andrea Wine, Tim Radden.
Middle Row : Astrid Burnett, Chris Loflin, Kevin Brooks, Chris Halke,
Chris Jackson, Mike Dadisman, Steve Dale, Head Coach Tom Nagy, Karla Kellenberger.
Back Row : Men's Foil Captain Ricky Rivera, Epee Coach Rich Hamper,
Women's Foil Captain Beth Brown, Travis Hreha, Men's Epee Captain Tim Ritchie, Dave
Hixson, Scott Pogros, Heiko Luehrs, Sabre Coach Joe Fazekas, Terry Taylor,
Adam Wine.
Not Pictured : Tara Habenicht, Pat Habenicht, Bruce Petro, Jeremy
Janik, Steve Brown, Melissa Roman, Tom Banar, Jeff Rodachy, Dan Limpert, Eric Elmi,
Zach Sweebe, Rich Sweebe, Judy Thompson, Dave Kilgore, Sylvan Jonas, Pete Lalli,
Dan'elle Laurent, Lisa Scharf, Nathan Rychlyk, Andrew Floor, and Morgan Schiller.
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Coaching Staff
Head Coach Tom Nagy Foil
Tom Nagy has been a fencer since 1975, and he has loved every minute of it. Starting as a Freshman at
Cleveland State in 1975, Tom learned the fundamentals and fine points of fencing thru his Coaches; Master
John Szent Kiraly, Master William Reith , Master Kai Czarnecki, and CSU Assistant Coach Doug Phillips. As a
freshman, Tom won the 1st Annual CSU Men's Intramural Fencing Championship. Then, as a sophomore, Tom
(and On Target Epee Coach Rich Hamper) taught a beginning fencing class. Tom taught fencing for 8 quarters
at CSU, and in the meantime earned 4 letters, won the "Most Improved Fencer of the Year" Award during his
sophomore year, was Co Captain (with On Target Sabre Coach Joe Fazekas) during his junior year, and ended
his CSU career with a 129 wins and 60 losses record. Tom was part of the Vikings 1979 1980 season, when they took 4th place at the NCAA Fencing Championships. This still is the highest any CSU Sports Team has ever reached at a National NCAA Championship.
A long time volunteer coach at CSU, Tom was the Assistant Fencing Coach at CSU under Head Coach Bill
Reith for 3 years. Tom also served 2 years as the Bout Committee Chairman for the Northern Ohio
Division of the USFA. In that capacity, Tom was responsible for set up, running and tearing down all local
fencing tournaments. Tom was awarded the Developmental Coach of the Year award for 1999 from the
fencers of the Northern Ohio Division of the USFA. Tom Nagy makes his home in North Ridgeville with his
son, Louis.
Coach Rich Hamper Epee
Our most experienced Coach, Rich has been an Epee and Foil fencer since 1963. Rich, as a first year
Varsity letterman, represented Case Institute of Technology at the 1965 NCAA Fencing Championships.
As a 19th place finisher in Epee, he helped Case earn a 10th place National ranking, the highest ever for a Case
Institute Fencing Team. In the fall of 1965, he transferred to Cleveland State University, where he fenced Epee,
lettering every year until he graduated. In 1968, he represented CSU at the NCAA Fencing Championships,
finishing 24th in Epee.
After graduation, Rich joined the Air Force as an Officer. While stationed at Syracuse, NY in 1969, he
helped coach the Syracuse University Epee squad. In 1970-71, while stationed in Alaska, he conducted Foil and
Epee classes at Campion AFS. In 1974, Rich returned to CSU to complete his Master's Degree in Applied
Mathematics and to assistd Maestro John Szent Kiraly as Epee Coach for the CSU Epee Squad.
During this time, Rich actively competed in AFLA/USFA competitions, attending his last National
Championship in 1979. In 1986, he retired as a competitive fencer and coach, after having coached 11 straight
CSU Epee squads to winning seasons.
In 1993, Rich left his Statistician/Systems Analyst position at Centerior Energy to pursue a career as a
science fiction writer. He lives in North Ridgeville with his wife Fran, his son Scott and his daughter Kim.
In December 1996, Rich was coaxed out of retirement, by ON TARGET Head Coach Tom Nagy to become
ON TARGET's Epee Coach. He is still retired from competition, but his coaching style and insights into the
psychology of fencing competition make him a valuable and interesting addition to our coaching staff.
Coach Joe Fazekas Sabre
Coach Joe Fazekas brings serious sabre fencing to ON TARGET. A sabre fencer since 1974, Joe was a 4
Letter winner at Cleveland State University, where he was the Number 1 sabre fencer every year. Joe
represented CSU at 4 NCAA Fencing Championships during his career. Joe's performance in 1978 was
instrumental in the CSU Vikings 4th place finish at the NCAA Championships, which is still the highest any
CSU Sports team has ever finished in a National Championships. Upon graduation, Joe assisted John Szent
Kiraly with the Vikings Fencing Team. Then in 1985, Joe tooks over the reins at Cleveland State
where he was Head Fencing Coach for 9 years. One of his many notable achievements was the cultivation of
Beth Eggleston, CSU's first Women's Fencing All American.
Professionally, Joe is the General Manager of The Life Start Fitness Center located in Downtown
Cleveland. Marzaleen, Joe and Marzaleen Jr make their home in Parma Hts.
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ON TARGET Practice Schedule (subject to change) :
Practice Schedule Changes
PRACTICE NOTES : Starting on September 12, 2000 until the end of the 2001 school year, Tuesday Night
practices will be held at the North Ridgeville Middle School from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
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Beginners Are Welcome!
Beginners 6 years and older are welcome at ON TARGET. However, as of January 1, 2000, beginners at
the Tuesday Evening practice in North Ridgeville will only be allowed to start practice during the FIRST
WEEK OF THE MONTH. This is so our intermediate and advanced fencers can continue to train in a serious
manner. Beginners will be allowed to observe free of charge practices during the other weeks of the month.
Experienced fencers are ALWAYS welcome.
We can provide you with a practice foil, epee or sabre, jacket, mask and glove, for your use at
one of our practices, or bring your own. We have special protective jackets for ladies.
Private lessons are available on request.
WHEELCHAIR FENCERS are welcome to attend class in Hudson, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville,
Sandusky, Strongsville and Wickliffe, all these sites are wheelchair accessible.
ON TARGET is competition oriented. We will from time to time host our own internal tournaments. These
tournaments may be by age group, with men and women mixed,for example; Under 12, Under 16 and Mixed
Foil with no age limit. Or, the internal tournaments may be men or women only or by weapon. We try to
compete in as many tournaments as possible. Membership in the USFA is strongly encouraged. We have
enough electrical equipment to equip 13 electrical foil fencers, 8 epee fencers and 3 electrical sabre fencers for
tournaments.
SAFETY and FUN are emphasized at all times. All classes are open to parents at all times.
Each ON TARGET class typically consists of :
- 10 minutes stretching/warm up
- 10 minutes footwork
- 35 minutes skills practice
- 5 minutes water break
- 30 minutes bouting practice
- Lesson Plan
ON TARGET recommends that all fencers own their own practice and competition equipment eventually.
We can arrange fencing equipment purchases at any time. Birthdays, Christmas, Hannukah, Graduations, and
Promotions are great opportunities to add to your personal equipment. Catalogs from the major vendors are
available from Coach Tom Nagy at all practices. A beginning mask is $56, a practice foil is $32, a practice
epee is $63, a practice sabre is $61, a men's jacket is $59, a women's jacket with breast plates is $78
and a glove is $18.
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Class Fees
- Class fees for Hudson, Independence, North Olmsted, Sandusky, Strongsville and Westlake are paid at
registration at their administrative offices. Wickliffe fees are paid at the door the first class of the session. See
phone numbers above.
- Class fees for North Ridgeville are either paid in advance or weekly.
Yearly paid in advance North Ridgeville Only
- INDIVIDUAL : $200 per year for 1 class per week, or $300 per year for 2 or 3 classes per week. $50 per
year equipment rental.
- FAMILY : $350 per year for 1 class per week, or $500 per year for 2 or 3 classes per week. $50 per year
equipment rental.
Monthly paid in advance North Ridgeville Only
- INDIVIDUAL : $20 per month for 1 class per week, or $30 per month for 2 or 3 classes per week. $5 per
month equipment rental.
- FAMILY : $35 per month for 1 class per week, or $50 per month for 2 or 3 classes per week. $5 per month
equipment rental.
Weekly paid at door North Ridgeville Only
- INDIVIDUAL : $5 for 1 class per week, $3 for the 2nd class per week, and $2 for the 3rd class of the
week. Equipment rental is $2 per class for weapons, masks, gloves or jackets.
- FAMILY : $10 for 1 class per week, or $5 for 2nd class per week, or $4 for 3 classes per week. Equipment
rental is $2 per class per family for weapons, masks, gloves or jackets.
Personal checks are accepted at all registration sites.
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Planned Demonstrations
- Call Tom Nagy at 440 327 0808 for a fencing demonstration to your group.
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Cleveland State University Men's and Women's Fencing Team
News
Cleveland State University Athletics Web Page
Cleveland State University Men's
Fencing Web Page
Cleveland State University Women's
Fencing Web Page
NCAA Fencing Championships Web Page
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Fencing Equipment to Buy/Sell
- TO SELL : Tom Nagy has ON TARGET T Shirts, VS S M L XL, $10.
- TO SELL : Tom Nagy has ON TARGET Patches, $5.
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Library
Fencing Books for loan to ON TARGET Team Members
- Magnum Libre D'Escrime Big Book of Fencing by Rudy Volkman, 1997, 271 pages, soft cover. Well
written and easy to understand.
- Methods and Practice of Elizabethan Swordplay by Craig Turner and Tony Soper, 1990, 139 pages,
Hardcover. A historical account of fencing, very scholarly.
- Renaissance Swordsmanship The Illustrated Use of Rapiers and Cut and Thrust Swords, John Clements,
1997, 143 pages, Softcover. Good reference books on rapiers. How To Use Rapiers and Cut and Thrust
Swords, Useful for Fight Directors.
- Glossary of Fencing Terms United States Fencing Coaches Association. 1995. 10 pages, pamphlet. 185
Fencing Terms. A standard of correct definitions and usage.
- The Living Sword Autobiograpy of Aldo Nadi. 1995. 412 pages, softcover. Very interesting and readable
autobiography. Nadi retired because everyone gave up trying to beat him.
- On Fencing Aldo Nadi. 1943, 300 pages, softcover. Secrets of the World's Greatest Fencer of the 20's,
30's and 40's. A classic of it's time, but somewhat outdated now. Challenging to read.
- Foil, Epee and Sabre Fencing Garrett, Kaidanov and Pezza. 1994, 227 pages, hardcover. A college
textbook on fencing used at Cleveland State University. Comprehensive and modern. It has "Learning
Experiences" (Drills) and "Highlights" (Test Questions) in every chapter.
- Harnessing Anger Peter Westbrook. 1997, 191 pages. Hardcover. Autobiography of one of America's
Best Fencers ever. Easy to read.
- Complete Fencing Albert Manley. 1979. 311 pages. Hardcover. Fencing instruction from an English
Fencing Master. Solid Fencing book, a little out of date and it has a decidedly British Flavor.
- Taking Foil Groups to the Competitive Level Bradford and Williams. 1994, 82 pages, Softcover Manual.
A handbook for teaching introductory foil to groups. Contains many drills to be used.
- The Legend of Zorro Bill Yenne, 1991, 160 pages, hardcover. A complete history of the Zorro legend.
Includes; comic books, trading cards, movies, tv programs, Movies Posters, Board Games and Plastic Zorro
swords. If you are a Zorro freak, this is as good as it gets.
- Fencer's Start-Up Doug Werner, 1997, 192 pages, softcover. An easy to read and understand book for
beginners or parents of beginners. It is written from a beginners point of view.
- Electrical Fencing Equipment Rudy Volkmann, 1996, 47 pages, softcover. A beginner technicians
manual on how electrical foils, epees and sabres work, what goes wrong, and how to fix problems. A must for
every electrical fencer. Very easy to read and understand.
- Foil Around and Stay Fit Camille Lownds, 1977, 192 pages, softcover. Exercise secrets of a fencer. This
books combines exercise with fencing. One chapter may not be appropriate for younger fencers. Slanted to a
woman's perspective.
- Swords and Hilt Weapons Michael D. Coe and others, 1989. 239 pages. Hardcover. History of swords
from 6000 bc to present. Scholarly with many illustrations and pictures.
- 1999 USFA Fencing Rule Book Updated Fencing Rule Book Translated from the 1998 FIE French
Edition.
- The Fencing Master Arturo Perez Reverte, 1988. 245 pages, Hardcover. Novel about an
old time fencing master caught up in pre-revolutionary spain in 1866. Interesting, has a number
of fencing lessons and duels.
- Fencing and the Master Laszlo Szabo 1977. 300 Pages. Hardcover. According to the United States
Fencing Coaches Association, this book is the best and most important Fencing Book. It is a must read for all
coaches.
- The History of Fencing William Gaugler 1998. 493 Pages. Softcover. A well ordered documentation
of the evolution of fencing techniques from early 16th century through the 20th century. Gaugler not only
identifies the key authors whose treatises have influenced practice, but also describes many of their lessons.
This work allows students to try the different approaches of the French and Italian schools for over the past 200
years. Recommended for someone who is well versed in fencing terminology.
- Secrets of the Sword Baron Cesar de Bazancourt 1998 246 pages Softcover. This book is a series of
evening conversations between French Gentlemen of the late 19th century. It is a discussion of fencing from 3
different points of view; fencing as graceful athletic exercise, fencing as an exact science, and fencing as
practical self defense (dueling). Interesting reading for a fencer who has combat experience and is interested in
the preparations made by duelists before the duel.
Fencing Videos for loan to ON TARGET Team Members
- 1996 National Fencing Team on ESPN
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics Fencing Video Men s and Women s Foil
- 1998 NCAA Fencing Championships Video Men s foil, epee and sabre, featuring Cleveland State
Fencers.
- Deadly Duels History of Dueling. A&E produced program. Great Fun.
- Wheelchair Fencing 1996 USFA Championships
- Swordfighting in the Renaissance Style A detailed study on various Renaissance Swordfighting moves.
- By The Sword A modern fencing movie, pretty good plot. Based in a fencing club in New York City.
Starring F. Murray Abraham and Eric Roberts.
- Scaramouche A fun to watch 17th century swashbuckling story. Stewart Granger stars.
- The Three Musketeers 1940's version. Starring Lana Turner, Gene Kelly and Van Heflin.
- The Three Musketeers Modern version of the classic story. Starring Keifer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen,
Tim Curry and Rebecca DeMornay
- Black Swan Pirates and Swordfighting, fun to watch, starring Tyrone Power and Maureen O Hara.
- Sign of Zorro Great fun, Guy Williams stars.
- Zorro, the Gay Blade Silly story line, but pretty good fencing. Adult humor but not dirty.
Starring George Hamilton, Lauren Hutton and Brenda Vaccaro.
- Mark of Zorro Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone star in this 1940 classic.
- Zorro the Avenger Great Fun, Guy Williams stars.
- Rob Roy 17th Century Scottish Hero, Liam Neeson stars, two good swordfights.
- The Princess Bride Excellent swordfighting with a good story, funny characters.
- Zorro All 78 Disney episodes on 6 videotapes.
- Mask of Zorro 1998 version starring Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins. A must see for any fencer.
- David Tyshler s Fencing School FOIL Technical and Tactical Training. 2 volume set produced in Russia
with English narration. Intended for advanced competive foil fencers who can decipher the narration. Good
for intermediates to see to get new ideas.
- David Tyshler s Fencing School EPEE Technical and Tactical Training. 2 volume set produced in
Russia with English narration. Intended for advanced competive epee fencers who can decipher the narration.
Good for intermediates to see to get new ideas.
- 2000 Junior World Championships South Bend, Indiana 3 women s sabre bouts and 2 men s epee bouts.
- 2000 Women s Foil World Cup Rochester, NY 6 women s foil bouts featuring some of the World s
best women s foil fencers.
- The Duellists 1977 Starring Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel. This film is about two officers in
Napoleon s Army who violently confront each other in a series of savage sword and pistol duels. It explores
the themes of obsession, honor and violence.
- Basic ReWiring, Repair and Troubleshooting Video on how to fix and maintain electrical foils, epees, body cords and reels. Also troubleshooting problems on the strip.
- NCAA Fencing Instructional Video on the very basics of Foil, Epee and Sabre Fencing. Good for parents or brand new beginners to see what fencing‘s all about. Produced in 1986, it is somewhat dated now due to the electrification of sabre fencing and the reversal of lights now showing touches scored.
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