2000.02.23

Murray State University Fencing has long shared the gymnastics rooms with other university organizations and classes. Thanks to the new Student Health Center, that's all changed.

What was previously the men's main weight room is now home to MSU Fencing. Though the new facilities are somewhat smaller and offer fewer mirrors than the gymnastics rooms, the trade-off is a welcome one:

"Until now, we've never had the luxery of easy-access to our equipment because we've always had to use a glorified closet that was far removed from the main gymnastics room. Now, we can store all of our equipment in the practice area," spouted senior instructor Jason Purcell, "and it's much easier to perform repairs and dress out due to the increased working area."

If that were the only advantage of moving to the new room, it would have made the transition worthwhile; but there are others:

"Our equipment is more secure in the new room, and we were able to easily construct racks for weapons and masks within the walls of the practice area, essentially using no more space than we would have used without them. We can finally create a fencing salle atmosphere by hanging photographs, plaques, signs, and other fencing-related memorabilia on the walls, and we've brought in a weight set and a small refrigerator for club and class use."

The new facilities were granted by Dr. Judy Brookhiser, the MSU Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department Chair.

"Dr. Brookhiser has always been a proponent of the fencing program. In fact, she fenced a year while in college. She's been tremendously supportive in both word and deed, and we don't take such support lightly."

Only one major problem has arisen from the move:

"Since the ceiling is so low — and since it slopes downward both north and east, there's only a small area that's suitable to fence sabre. But hey, I haven't heard anyone complain!"