I wish to take my foil, and gouge the entire Athletic department in their collective stupid eyes.
For two years, I’ve been the foil captain of the men’s varsity fencing team. I’ve busted my ass to be at every practice that doesn’t conflict with my classes, and every single meet. I’ve even led practice during the times when we only had a part-time coach.
This year we have a shitty schedule. 6 meets. One of them I doubt will happen; it has been canceled every year. Another one is scheduled against the GREs. I will get to fence maybe 20 bouts this year. 50 is normal.
Also, NCAA rules mean you have to have a physical exam to even practice. Apparently “physicals 5-7:30” on the flier actually means “5-until whenever we arbitrarily decide to close, thereby fucking over the people who had class til 6:20”.
The first person who tries to prevent me from practicing will get my foil so far down his useless throat that he can taste cold scrotum-steel.
Damn man, that really sucks. I fenced for a couple years awhile back… fenced foil, in fact. At any rate, I’m really sorry to hear that you’re busting your ass for nothing. The reason I quit was the authority on the team… but that’s another matter. Good to hear you’re violently “sticking” with it. More powa’ to you.
I feel your pain. I’m an epee fencer, and medieval recreation fencer (S.C.A.), but I can still understand how that feels. I started off fencing foil when I got to college. It sucks to not even be able to practice. For the most part, it sounds like what they are doing to you is pretty ridiculous. If you can’t get any help or satisfaction from the athletic director, is there someone above him that you can talk to? It sounds like you’re a valuable resource for your team. I would think that it would make a difference that you’ve put in as much work as you have. But fencing is, unfortunately, one of those sports that people just don’t care much about unless they’re involved. Best of luck.
