World's Largest Collegiate Fencing Event to be Hosted in Fort Wayne

Visit Fort Wayne and Turnstone Center are excited to welcome the United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs for their 2023 National Tournament on Saturday, April 1 through Sunday, April 2.

More than 40 men's and women's teams are expected to participate in the event hosted by Turnstone in their Plassman Athletic Center, anticipating 1,100 attendees for the two-day event.

"The United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs is excited to welcome over 700 student athletes, coaches, and fencing enthusiasts from across the country to the Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone for our annual National Championships. The event features men's and women's fencing in all three weapons and allows us the opportunity to foster collegiate club fencing nationwide," said USACFC President, Joanna Klatzman Higgison.

This event is new to Fort Wayne, and Visit Fort Wayne and Turnstone are looking forward to hosting this unique sport. Hosting events like this help build Fort Wayne’s resume within the sports industry, opening doors for our city to host even more new events.

"The United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC) was established in 2003 to educate and promote fencing at the collegiate level throughout the United States. The organization began with 13 teams and has grown to over 45 teams since its inception." www.usacfc.org

Considering the overall economic impact this group brings to Fort Wayne, along with the potential for a repeat opportunity to host, the tournament qualified as a recipient of a sports grant that Visit Fort Wayne manages on behalf of the City of Fort Wayne.

"We are thrilled to welcome the best collegiate fencing athletes from across the country to Turnstone and Fort Wayne in pursuit of the 2023 National Championship title," said Mike Mushett, Turnstone CEO. "Turnstone's Olympic and Paralympic Training Site facilities are a great match to the largest college fencing event in the world."

For additional information, please contact:

Jazmin Zavala, Visit Fort Wayne Sports Sales Manager

jazmin@visitfortwayne.com

(260) 424-3700

-or-

Stasha Carrasquillo, Turnstone Chief Marketing Officer

stasha@turnstone.org

(260) 484-5059

-or-

Joanna Klatzman Higgison, USACFC President

president@usacfc.org

(908) 432-4872