En Garde! Detroit

So recently, I have been asked how I got into fencing and why I started this company. I decided to copy an email conversation and share with my readers. Consider this the first of many blogs to come.

Dear “Parent”,

Well, it all started at basketball try-outs for my new high school. I quickly realized I would not make the team and had to choose another sport to remain in the school. Something about being 5’9 just didn’t sit well with the coach.

Fencing was my next logical choice because I had excelled in chess in years prior. Honestly, the chess skills came from being bored & locked in our 1 bedroom apartment at a young age. My mother refused let me play outside because the gangs controlled the streets, so I had to entertain myself. While attending St. Benedict’s Prep., in Newark, New Jersey I started fencing my freshman year.

Little did I know I was joining a championship team who had not lost a state title in 14 years! My competitive nature quickly took over and I became obsessed with understanding the game. I worked hard to increase my knowledge and skills quickly. My motivation was a tournament held at the end of the year called, the Freshmen Open. I ended up being ranked 6th in the state among all the freshman participants. Brought to tear by not taking top 3, the fire built and I needed more training.

After that, I traveled to New York City to fight for a chance to join the Peter Westbrook Foundation. And when I say fight I mean it. My first day there Peter Westbrook himself said, “Oh another Benedict’s kid, lets see what you got.”

6 challengers later, I remained undefeated for the day and he offered me a chance to become a member of his non-profit. Later, he advised me to not let the events of the day go to my head, as those were only his cadet fencers. That organization changed my life by removing the financial road blocks and allowing me to train to my hearts content.

And train I did; I regularly attended high school practice to keep my scholarship. Then after team practice, I would travel to NYC via 2 trains & a bus to practice with some of greatest American fencers of our time. My coach was Mika’il Sankofa, who to this day has never fenced me!

I would always inquire about our much awaited match, and in his fine Italian dress shoes he would simply reply, “take a USFA Final and maybe I’ll consider it”. I think he knew I was hyper-competitive, and used it against me.

After a brief 2 years with the PWF organization, I left and was accepted to Wayne State University were I became a part of the Men’s Sabre Team. And the story continues…

Now I have decided to dedicate my life to giving this sport back to the community and to children who might pick up my baton. If it wasn’t for fencing, I honestly would not have had the experiences with help cultivate me into a well-rounded adult. I owe a lot to the sport, the least I can do is give the gift to a few kids who might be better than I ever was.

Kind Maurers yan etkileri justin bieberRegards,

Bobby C. Smith
Founder & CEO