By Monty Siekerman
No matter what interests an ONU student has, there are probably clubs and organizations for then...even fencing.
Northern has 240 clubs and organizations for professional, social, or just plain fun activities.
The Fencing Club organized a few years ago and is now at the point of scheduling bouts with students from other campuses beginning next year.
The club provides the equipment, but some students buy their own. The group meets three evenings a week to practice foil, saber and epee fencing.
Students become interested in the sport because it is an individual sport, not a team sport, where they learn how to to be aggressive or defensive, enjoy learning footwork, and develop their own individual style.
Etiquette is a big part of fencing. Competitors salute each other before a bout, even salute the judges. In other sports the judges, or officials, aren't looked upon so kindly.
Presently, about 20 students are active in the fencing club, about equally divided between men and women.
In the fall, Ohio Northern sponsors a get acquainted day for incoming freshmen so the new students can become familiar with the organizations that are available.
This week, 27 of the clubs had representatives on hand in McIntosh Center to introduce their organization to any student who may be interested. The Fencing Club was one of those groups.
