Today we’d like to introduce you to L. Stacy Eddy.
L. Stacy Eddy began his fencing career in college with an Intro to Fencing course, once he picked up a weapon it became part of him; he has also been involved with the Society of American Fight Directors since its inception in the early 1970’s. He owes his dedication to the art of the sword to two Masters; Alex Beguinet, Maitre d’Armes and Head Coach of Duke Fencing and David Boushey, founder and Fight Master Emeritus of the Society of American Fight Directors.
Bay State Fencers was established in 2004 to provide a home for the urban fencer. We take great pride in being the first Fencing academy and club in the metro area since the 1960s, We were the first single weapon club in the Metro area. Bay State is both a fencing academy and club, serving fencing enthusiasts in and around Boston. Our students and members come from a wide range of communities including Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, Watertown, Arlington and beyond.
Coach Eddy is certified by the United States Fencing Coach Association (USFCA) and the United States Fencing Association (USFA) Coaches College; he is a Coach of all three weapons and a Prevot de Armes in Epee.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The process of opening and running a Fencing club/academy has had its glitches. It has been a labor of love and a journey of great fun. When we opened in 2004 I was the only coach and there were a couple of students. The first six months were hard, but we gradually gathered kids and Adults and the club grew.
I taught at Brookline Adult Ed and Cambridge Adult Ed along with running after-school programs in Cambridge Public Schools. Finally, it got to the place in 2010 where I could let go of some of the off-site programs because our programming had grown and I had a couple of coaches working with me.
Bay State Fencers – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We offer a home for the urban fencer. It’s a little “old school”, no you can’t live there but you are welcome to come and train and leave the problems of the day to day outside our doors.
We have a strong adult program and a substantial youth program for our size; we have six fencing strips which is about 2,400 square feet of open space.
We are proud of our fencers and their results, we have students that have gone to Brown University, Stanford University, Duke and several others. We have a Veteran fencer that has been on the USA Fencing Veterans World Team two different times.
What makes us different? “This is the best club I have fenced at…” is how our members feel about their experience with us. We have been involved with fencing since 1975 and plan on several more to come.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As a competitive club, results are a benchmark. However, those results must be gauged on the individual’s expectations. Not everyone has the stuff to be an Olympic fencer, but everyone should work to their highest potential.
The desire to work, being coachable, being on time, commitment and just a few of the things we look for in athletes.
Having students become successful in whatever field they choose to pursue, being great athletes and great people.
Pricing:
- Intro to Fencing Adult or Youth $80.00 per month 1 class per week
- Foray Into Fencing is a 1.5 hour one time class $30.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 561 Windsor St., Ste A 401 Somerville MA 02143
- Website: www.baystatefencers.com
- Phone: 617-591-0101
- Email: director@baystatefencers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baystatefencers/
- Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/Bay-State-Fencers-119741161520782/?business_id=425936334489777
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