U.S. Fencing Coaches Association
The U.S. Fencing Coaches Association is a national professional association that develops, evaluates, and accredits fencing coaches in the United States.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The U.S. Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) is a United States professional association for fencing coaches and teachers. Established in 1941, it serves as a national academy of the Académie d'Armes Internationale (AAI), an international organization representing fencing masters and related national academies. The association’s work is centered on professional education, assessment, accreditation, and the advancement of fencing instruction rather than on selling consumer products. A central USFCA function is its staged qualification system for fencing teachers. The association tests, certifies, and accredits three principal levels of professional competence. Fencing instructors are qualified to introduce beginners to the sport and teach foundational skills. Prevosts are qualified to coach teams and instruct fencers at an intermediate level. Masters represent the highest accreditation level and are prepared to work with fencers in advanced national and international competitive settings. This structure gives coaches a progression from entry-level teaching through high-performance preparation. The association operates within the broader American fencing ecosystem. It is identified as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and cooperates with the United States Fencing Association, now commonly known as USA Fencing, in supporting the development of fencing in the country. Through these relationships, the USFCA contributes to the educational and coaching infrastructure that supports clubs, schools, colleges, and competitive programs. Its activities are particularly relevant to the continuity of technical instruction and the professional preparation of coaches. USFCA also recognizes achievement in coaching. Its annual Schreff Sword is presented to an outstanding college fencing coach, with the recipient selected by peer voting. The award is represented by an engraved silver Glamdring broadsword displayed on a red velvet cushion. Princeton University head coach Michel Sebastiani received the award in 1994 and again in 2006. The association’s notable coaching community also includes Muriel Bower, who became the first woman to receive Fencing Master accreditation in the United States in 1976, and Nikki Franke, a former Brooklyn College All-American and Temple University coach who was named USFCA Coach of the Year four times. The Swordmaster is the association’s official publication and provides an institutional channel for professional communication. Since 2014, the association has been headed by Peter Burchard. Public reference material describes the USFCA primarily as a professional and educational body serving fencing coaches, with its identity tied to accreditation standards, coaching development, peer recognition, and cooperation with national and international fencing organizations.
History
The U.S. Fencing Coaches Association was established in 1941 to represent and develop fencing coaches in the United States. Its institutional role is distinct from that of a governing body for competition: the USFCA focuses on the professional preparation of teachers and coaches, while cooperating with the broader American fencing structure to support the sport’s growth. The organization became the United States national academy affiliated with the Académie d'Armes Internationale, an international body for fencing masters with national representation across more than twenty countries. This affiliation places USFCA coaching education within a wider tradition of fencing instruction and professional accreditation. The association also has a relationship with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and cooperates with the United States Fencing Association in developing fencing nationally. The USFCA’s principal educational contribution is its tiered accreditation system. Candidates may progress through instructor, prevost, and master levels. The instructor level is intended for teaching beginners; the prevost level covers team coaching and instruction of intermediate fencers; and the master level is designed for the highest levels of national and international competitive work. By defining these stages, the association provides a framework for judging coaching competence and creating a professional pathway for fencing teachers. The association has also used awards and publications to reinforce its professional identity. Its official publication is The Swordmaster. The annual Schreff Sword recognizes an outstanding college fencing coach through peer voting. Michel Sebastiani, head coach at Princeton University, won the award in 1994 and 2006. The organization’s history also includes important milestones in inclusion and representation: Muriel Bower became the first woman accredited as a Fencing Master in the United States in 1976. Nikki Franke, who had been an All-American fencer at Brooklyn College and later coached at Temple University, received the USFCA Coach of the Year award four times, in 1983, 1987, 1988, and 1991. Since 2014, Peter Burchard has headed the association. Available reference material presents the USFCA as an active professional association whose continuing purpose is to improve the quality of fencing instruction, maintain accreditation standards, recognize accomplished coaches, and contribute to the development of fencing programs in the United States.
- 2014
Peter Burchard begins heading the association
[1]Peter Burchard became head of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association.
- 2006
Michel Sebastiani wins the Schreff Sword for a second time
[1]Michel Sebastiani received the association’s college coaching award again.
- 1994
Michel Sebastiani receives the Schreff Sword
[1]Michel Sebastiani, Princeton University’s head coach, was selected by peers as the outstanding college fencing coach and received the Schreff Sword.
- 1991
Nikki Franke receives a fourth Coach of the Year honor
[1]Nikki Franke was named USFCA Coach of the Year for the fourth recorded time.
- 1988
Nikki Franke receives a third Coach of the Year honor
[1]Nikki Franke received the association’s Coach of the Year award for the third recorded time.
- 1987
Nikki Franke wins USFCA Coach of the Year again
[1]Nikki Franke was named USFCA Coach of the Year for a second recorded time.
- 1983
Nikki Franke wins USFCA Coach of the Year
[1]Nikki Franke received the USFCA Coach of the Year award, beginning a series of four recorded wins.
- 1976
Muriel Bower becomes the first U.S.-accredited woman Fencing Master
[1]Muriel Bower became the first woman to receive Fencing Master accreditation in the United States.
- 1941
Association established
[1]The U.S. Fencing Coaches Association was established as a professional association for fencing coaches in the United States.
Products and positioning
A standards-based professional association for fencing educators and coaches, positioned around structured accreditation, technical competence, coach development, and the advancement of fencing in the United States.
Coach education
Instructor accreditation
The entry level in the USFCA’s coaching framework is intended for fencing teachers who work with beginners. It establishes foundational teaching competence and forms the first stage of the association’s professional progression.
Coach education
Prevost accreditation
The prevost level is designed for coaches qualified to lead teams and teach fencers at an intermediate level. It represents advancement beyond introductory instruction and emphasizes broader coaching responsibilities.
Coach education
Fencing Master accreditation
The master level is the highest accreditation described in the USFCA framework. It is intended for professionals working with advanced competitors at national and international levels.
Publication
The Swordmaster
The Swordmaster is the official publication of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association and serves as an organizational communication and professional information channel.
Coaching award
Schreff Sword
The Schreff Sword is an annual award for an outstanding college fencing coach, selected through peer voting. It is represented by an engraved silver Glamdring broadsword displayed on a red velvet cushion.
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