Buckeyes Celebrate 100 Years of Ohio State Fencing
5/1/2023 9:49:37 AM | Fencing
The 100th year of an Ohio State athletic program is cause for celebration, and the Buckeye fencing program did just that with a gala in the Archie Griffin Ballroom of the Ohio Union April 15 .
More than 150 guests gathered to celebrate the program and its history, with attendees including current and former student-athletes and coaches along with supporters of the program. Fencers from each decade starting in the 1950s were in attendance at the gala and supporters from across the country made the trip to Columbus to attend the celebration.
As guests arrived at the event, current Buckeye fencers were there to greet them and escort them to their table. Attendees had time to socialize, with some teammates catching up in person for the first time in more than 20 years. Displays recognizing highlights from each decade allowed alumni and others to reminisce and recollect people and moments in Ohio State fencing history.
Three former coaches attended or were represented at the gala. Ninety-six year old Charles Simonian, head coach from 1964-83, was in attendance, as was Csilla Smith, daughter of the late Charlotte Remenyik. Remenyik’s career at Ohio State began in 1978-79 as the women’s head coach and in the fall of 1980 she also took over the men’s program. She served as head coach for both programs through 1999. Kit Boesch, who joined the fencing staff in 1973, returned to campus. During her tenure with the Buckeyes she also coached women’s track until 1976, when Mamie Rallins was hired to lead the track team and Boesch was able to shift to only coaching women’s fencing. She led the Buckeye fencers through the 1978 campaign.
Once all guests were seated, current head coach Donald Anthony, Jr., welcomed the group, followed by dinner service. The formal program resumed with a highlight video of the 2022-23 season, a year in which the Buckeyes claimed the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference men’s and women’s titles and placed fifth at the NCAA Championships. Julieta Toledo, from Mexico, addressed the group and talked about the impact Ohio State fencing, and its staff, has had on her life. A video followed that celebrated and showcased the 100 years of Ohio State fencing. Toledo, a film studies major who will graduate this spring and remain in Columbus to continue training with the Ohio State staff and work toward an Olympic berth, created both videos.
Two current Buckeyes were presented with awards that night. Bence Bende, a graduating senior epeeist from Hungary, is the recipient of a Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award, with one male and one female Big Ten senior on each Big Ten campus recognized for exceptional achievement in academics, athletics and civic service. Stephen Chou, a graduating sabre fencer from New Jersey, is the Barbara Williams Memorial Award recipient. The honor is presented annually to the Buckeye fencer who best exemplifies the values of Ohio State Athletics ‘The People. The Tradition. The Excellence.’
The fencing program would like to send a special thank you to the supporters of the gala: Joseph Guinan/Advantage Futures LLC, Michael Broidy, Mary and Dr. Donald Boger, Dr. Joseph Crawford, Rhea and James Williams, Sunil Sabharwal, Roy Rodney, Megan Price, Jason Fan and Lynn Peng, Jonathan Feinberg and Katherine McVety, Evelyne and Robert Gibson, Ron and Neera Antal, Selina Kaing, all donors that wish to remain anonymous and everyone who has supported Ohio State Fencing for the past 100 years.
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