 |
EPEE HEAD COACH - FMFC COACHING COORDINATOR Enrique Alvarez Maestro Alvarez is originally from Oviedo, Spain. He began fencing in high school at 14 years old under Master Marga Sahelices. In college he fenced for the National Institute of Physical Education (INEF) in Madrid under the supervision of Master Enrique Lopez, Alberto Gonzalez and Francisco Saucedo. He was certified in 1999 as fencing coach level 1 by the AEMA (Spanish Association of Fencing Masters). In 2006, Enrique moved to Fargo ND where he graduated in 2008 with a BSc in Electrical Engineering, and in 2012 with a MSc in Electrical Engineering. In 2010, he was certified as Prevot d’Epee (entry level of professional coach) by the USFCA (United States Fencing Coaches Association). The USFCA is the United States national academy of the Academie d'Armes Internationale, (AAI), the world organization of fencing masters. In 2011, he achieved the title of Fencing Master which is the highest level of accreditation by the USFCA and by the International Academy of Arms. Masters are capable of teaching fencers from beginners to high-level competitive champions. Maestro Alvarez is a former member of the Spanish Junior National team, several times Division Champion in Spain and finalist of Junior Nationals as well as a competitor in Epee Junior World Cup. He has fenced since 1996 and has competed in Spain, France, Canada and the US. In 2013, Enrique was named Team Coach/Manager for Team USA at the Junior Pan American Games in Ponce, Puerto Rico. USA Fencing brought back a total of 7 medals. In addition, he is a certified referee in Spain and the USA, as well as certified examiner for the USFCA. |
 |
FOIL HEAD COACH Robert Bianco PhD Coach Dr. Bianco is originally from Bismarck ND. He began fencing foil in 1996 at the University of North Dakota while in graduate school. In 2002, he moved to the University of Iowa to do a postdoctoral fellowship. There he competed in foil and occasionally saber as part of the UI club. In 2006, Dr. Bianco moved to Fargo where there was no fencing. In 2007, he started the Fargo-Moorhead Fencing Club. In 2008, coach Bianco began volunteering his time as the coach for the Minnesota State University Moorhead Fencing club. The growing popularity of fencing prompted Dr. Bianco to start teaching fencing courses at MSUM beginning the spring semester of 2009. Dr. Bianco is a USFA-certified level 1 foil coach as well as Moniteur in Foil and Epee by the United States Fencing Coaches Association. |
 |
ASSISTANT COACH - Jason Powell This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Coach Powell is originally from California. He began fencing with his son at the age of 39 with the Fargo Moorhead Fencing Club. His two daughters joined the within a year making it a family activity. He began going to tournaments in 2011 and began coaching in 2013. Coach Powell is actively working to earn his certification in epee and foil.
|
FORMER COACHES
 |
ASSISTANT COACH Todd Ladwig This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|
 |
ASSISTANT COACH Dellas Herbel, PhD Coach Dr. Herbel first began fencing at a small recreational fencing club in St. Louis, MO in 2004 while completing his doctorate. He subsequently moved to the Red River Valley in 2007. After having taken two years off from fencing to complete his dissertation, he began fencing with the Minnesota State University Moorhead Fencing Club (MSUMFC). In 2010, he began competing in tournaments and became the faculty advisor to MSUMFC. That same year, he earned his certification as an Assistant Moniteur (USFCA). He remains MSUMFC faculty advisor while coaching concurrently with FMFC. In 2011 Coach Herbel earned his certification as Moniteur of Epee. |
 |
ASSISTANT COACH Aron Velde Coach Velde, is originally from Fergus Falls, MN. He began his collegiate career studying Secondary English Education and Coaching at NDSU, in 2007. While attending NDSU he competed in NCAA D1 football as well as track and field for the Bison. In 2009 Coach Velde transferred to MSUM to continue his degrees and compete for the Dragon track and field team. In 2010, he began fencing epee for the MSUM fencing club. Velde has coached high school athletics since 2008. He began with the Fergus Falls Otter track team. He is currently the wide receiver/defensive backs coach for the Fargo South football team, as well as the triple/long jump coach for the Bruin boys track team. His accomplishments as a coach include multiple all-state and all-conference selections for his wide receivers and defensive backs, as well as a North Dakota state football championship. Many of his young athletes have moved on to compete in NCAA D1,D2 and MIAC athletics. In 2011 Coach Velde earned his certification as a Fencing Assistant Moniteur. |
 |
ASSISTANT COACH Jen Neuteboom Coach Neuteboom is originally from Layton Utah. She began fencing foil in 1998 at Weber State University. After moving to Vermillion South Dakota with her husband, she eventually came to Fargo in 2005. A student at Minnesota State University Moorhead, she is majoring in both History and English. She is also president of the MSUM Fencing club and began competitive fencing epee as well as foil in 2009. Jen is a certified Assistant Moniteur by the United States Fencing Coaches Association. |
