The Magic of USFCA: Networking That Transforms Careers
- Grace Buchanan
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
When people think about fencing, they picture blades, bouts, and tournaments. But the real magic of USFCA isn’t just on the strip — it’s in the connections you build with fellow coaches. The right conversation, mentor, or chance meeting can change your entire coaching path.
Here’s how networking through USFCA has shaped mine.
1. The Parking Lot Lesson That Changed Everything
I walked into my first USFCA seminar nervous, underprepared, and wondering if I even belonged. I walked out with a mentor who would change my life.
That mentor was Witold Rak. At the time, I thought he was just a kind man willing to share some advice. Only later did I learn his résumé: M.S. in Exercise Physiology, Olympic staff roles in Los Angeles and Atlanta, founder and coach at multiple clubs, and decades of experience at the highest level.
Luckily, I didn’t know all that when I met him, or I would have been too intimidated to even say hello. Instead, we connected human-to-human — in the most unassuming place possible: a parking lot saber lesson. That chance meeting sparked a mentorship that continues to shape me as a coach.
2. Curriculum Networking: Lessons in Foil (and Kindness)
I’ve always believed foil should come first for new fencers — even if it wasn’t my personal favorite. Back in the early 2000s, when my daughter Megan and I were fencing South Texas tournaments, this belief introduced us to some familiar foil opponents… and eventually to Gary Murray.
Gary became not just a colleague but a lifeline. I’ll never forget traveling on a shoestring budget to the Junior Olympics, only to have Megan’s epee fail inspection. I had no money and no idea how to fix it. In the crowd, I spotted Gary. Without hesitation — even though our fencers might later compete — he fixed the blade himself and sent us back on strip.
That’s the kind of generosity that leaves a mark. Over his career, Gary founded the Round Rock Fencing Club, coached for 40 years, and helped shape USFCA’s curriculum for blind and visually impaired athletes. His foil games still energize my beginner classes today, proving that kindness and good pedagogy never go out of style.
3. Saber, Tech, and the Next Chapter
After relocating to the Rio Grande Valley post-Covid, I wanted to restart my club the right way. Enter Paul Schimelman — a saber coach, tech-savvy visionary, and one of the most generous colleagues I’ve met.
Paul didn’t just help me with drills, curriculum, and the finer points of saber. He forced me to think bigger: What did I want my club to stand for? How would I present it to the world? With his guidance, I’m not just polished for my Prevost practicum but also built a brand, a logo, a website, and an online presence that grew my club faster than I thought possible.
Within four years, we expanded across Brownsville, South Padre Island, and Harlingen, even running demonstrations for SpaceX. Today, Paul is Vice President of the South-USFCA and still supports me — even now as I launch a new chapter with Northshore Fencing Club in Louisiana.
The Takeaway: Networking Is the Secret Weapon
Every fencer knows the importance of blade work, footwork, and drills. But what about relationships? My career has been built not just on what I’ve learned, but on who I’ve learned it from.
Witold showed me the power of mentorship.
Gary showed me that kindness and curriculum go hand in hand.
Paul showed me how to think beyond the strip and embrace technology.
That’s the real value of USFCA. If you want to grow, don’t just train harder — connect smarter. The right mentor can make all the difference.
Grace Buchanan
Past Treasurer USFCA
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