Yes siree, it's been a busy semester, for real! Seems like the gang all got together for the first practice just a couple of weeks ago. The weeks that passed since that day in August has seen much accomplished thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of all involved. The Spring Semester likewise promises good things for the club and fencers at MSU. Our current membership is one of the most active in recent memory, participation is on the rise and the future looks good.

New officers for the year were elected including candidates to fill some formerly vacant positions. This year's officer corps constitutes an energetic and capable group of individuals. Allen Foy accepted the duties of Apprentice Armourer. His effort to date has benefited virtually every fencer on campus. By taking on the responsibilities of this office Allen frees his fellow officers to pursue a variety of other important tasks in a more efficient manner than was previously possible. As one who formerly shouldered responsibility for the condition of equipment I must compliment him on his industry and the diligent approach he employed in his work. Kristin Horan continues in her role as Secretary/Treasurer at least until her graduation in December. Kristin has been a member for quite some time and served in this position during past years. The quality of her contribution renders her difficult to replace. As chief financial officer, keeper of records, "safety mom," instructor, senior female member, and all around contributor she is a "team player" and indispensable contributor who can always be counted upon to pitch in and get the job done. In addition to greatly enhancing the functioning of all club business, she's a well-rounded fencer who won't hesitate to assist an opponent in quickly exiting the strip. Steve Hughes takes over at the vice-president's desk. This is Steve's first season as a MSUFC fencer. He's quickly developing a competent proficiency and as a southpaw presents as a difficult opponent to us right- handers who only occasionally cross blades with a lefty. Through default I remain at my post as President. Who else would be crazy enough to take this job? Washing jackets, equipment manager serving all novices, "fencing-dummy" to every would be broadsword welding barbarian that comes down the pike, spittoon supervisor, chief flunky, head bottle washer and individual bearing responsibility for any and all flaws, mistakes and deficiencies. This job equals pure unadulterated glory tempered with the excitement and splendor of a fame that carries prestige across the globe. All kidding aside, it's been a privilege to assist in the promotion of sport fencing at MSU and I thank everyone involved for their confidence and support. Many have heard me say this in the past, "there's a great deal more to fencing than what takes place on the strip." Being at the helm for two years has been an OJT crash course in Advanced Applications in Fencing.

We've adopted a revised constitution in an attempt to clarify areas that were vague in the old document while at the same time creating a structure that will more efficiently contribute to the orderly conduct of club business. While desirous of maintaining a straightforward organizational format we hope the revisions will lend themselves to the benefit of an increasingly active membership. You may expect to see this posted on our web site soon.

Our annual fall tournament, "Racer's Edge," is slated for Saturday, November 20. In years past this tourney was hosted out of the North Gym of Carr Health (a venue somewhat akin to the back forty). Nice surface and plenty of room but lacking in that ever popular accouterment, spectators. This year's event will be orchestrated out of the Curris Center's dance lounge with the intent of maximizing awareness and interest. This competition has historically served to introduce novice fencers to the formal tournament environment and electric scoring equipment. I look forward to a very competitive event as this semester's crop of new swashbucklers has progressed splendidly in their studies. Several of us "old vets" will be present to administer that sound thumping so appropriate in those instances when youngbloods become overly enamored with their own untested prowess. A baptism under fire administered for their greater good and proper development.

Allen Foy, Tim Adams and myself traveled to the University of Mississippi at Oxford Saturday the 23rd of October to compete in their annual open electric foil and epee tournament, "Electric Mayhem." Allen and I competed as novices while Tim slugged it out against the big boys. Actually, all competitors fenced against each other without regard to classification but we privileged novices were accorded an opportunity to take home some hardware, awarded essentially for placing a the very bottom of the stack. In an up and down day marked by mediocrity I managed to take second in foil. My crowning achievement (of which I am pleased as a pumpkin) occurred during the preliminary foil bouting when I handily defeated our own blade master and resident cutthroat, Tim Adams. This tournament represents the first opportunity I've had to be paired with Tim in an officially sanctioned USFA event. I cannot resist the urge to further inform my readers that he soundly thrashed all other opponents in his pool. Losing to an underling like myself is a stain on his prestige that will take some time to cleanse away (I intend to personally see to the matter). He can take solace in the reality that glory is only a passing thing. My second place finish came at the hand of a blade wizard commanding only the tenderest of years (by my reckoning, maybe 9 or 10). I cannot emphasize to you enough just how difficult it is to score against a well-schooled opponent with a target area no bigger than a shoebox standing about four feet off the ground! To make a long story short, I couldn't get a blade anywhere near his slippery young a_s. Jamming me up repeatedly with his tenacious in-fighting skills I was dismantled in rapid fashion then left to wonder at the misery of my misfortune. I salute him and his instructor while taking comfort in the knowledge that he bagged a limit of adults on this outing. Though coming up empty in the victory column, Allen acquitted himself well against fencers of vastly superior skill and experience. Likewise, there was no extra clank, jingle or rattle heard from Tim's luggage during the long journey back to Murray. Nevertheless, he acquitted himself well advancing to respectable positions in the direct elimination round of both foil and epee. We all three enjoyed ourselves immensely and benefited from exposure to the superb skills of unfamiliar opponents. We extend our gratitude and congratulations for a job well done to all those who participated in the hosting of this event.

Congratulations are in order for Jason Purcell in his capacity as organizing committee member for Spring Steel 2000. Through his hard work and personal energy we have secured the establishment of a business relationship with Triplette Competition Arms Company. TCA, a retail supplier of fencing equipment head quartered out of Elkins, N. C., has committed to providing scoring equipment sufficient to operate as many as 24 strips over the course of the two-day event. This arrangement includes scoring boxes, floor cords and risers along with the services of an upper-tier armourer. In addition, they will operate a booth offering their line of merchandise for sale to the public. The realization of this arrangement represents a tremendous accomplishment for the committee. By virtue of his authorship Jason is also entirely responsible for MSUFC's membership in "Flash of the Blade." This site is devoted to the dissemination of fencing information to the general public as a further means of reaching the public and creating interest. As an information resource to both novice and veteran contemporary Western fencers along with those who engage in Easter fencing, period fencing, and theatrical fencing FOB strives to give a more complete view of contemporary swordplay than that found at the club's site. Jason's resourcefulness and ability mark him as a contributing creative force of high caliber.

A great big, hearty "thank you" goes out to Dr. Brookhiser and her staff for their critical assistance in securing significant funding for new classroom equipment. Though the club does not benefit directly as a result of these purchases our interests are advanced in as much as a healthy, viable classroom environment represents our primary source of potential new members. The armoury is now more fully stocked than at any time in the last several years. The class is now able to outfit an entire roster of beginning fencers with safe, attractive and highly functional gear. Further, the scope of classroom instruction is broadened in supplement to the instruction given in foil by virtue of the inclusion of four new practice sabres and epees.

In closing, I'll take the opportunity to extend my praise and congratulations to this semester's class of aspiring blade mongers. I've assisted Jason Purcell in the classroom through three semesters of instruction. This group has advanced more rapidly than others have during that period of time. Through a combination of hard work, attentiveness and application they are rapidly developing their skills to a commendable level. We've all had a good time so far and look forward to the class tournament, "Slingin Steel," at semester's end.

Til next time, "In your eye mates. Harrrr"