Guest: Deep Patel
Deep walked onto the men’s fencing team at Haverford College after discovering fencing through a PE class, and quickly became one of the team’s leaders. He now coaches sabre at Badger Fencing Club and is part of a new generation of coaches helping make fencing more accessible.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- How Deep discovered fencing in college (and why a PE class + a “why not?” mindset changed everything)
- What transfers from soccer/lacrosse/cricket — and what fencing forces you to “rewire” (upper/lower body separation, individual accountability, body language)
- The steep learning curve: terminology, right-of-way, and why Deep urges new competitors to actually read the rule book
- A turning point moment: the first big win that made the progress feel real
- Competing as a D3 athlete against lifelong fencers — and why it can feel empowering, not just intimidating
- Leadership and culture: how Deep became captain by contributing beyond his own bouts (rides, armory basics, energy, motivation)
- Coaching development: what it was like entering Tim Morehouse Fencing Club’s Fencing Corps and becoming a “small fish” again
- The “UN ambassador lesson” story: how to make a first fencing experience fun, memorable, and meaningful
- Building something new at Badger: what it’s like joining a developing club — and why Badger matters nationally as a Club Incubator success story
- Post-college fencing: why it doesn’t have to be “stop now, maybe come back at Vet 40”
- Growing the sport: Deep’s idea of making fencing feel more like drop-in recreation leagues while still preserving the competitive ladder
Haverford roster (Deep Patel): https://haverfordathletics.com/sports/mens-fencing/roster/deep-patel/9407
USA Fencing: Badger Fencing Club launch (Club Incubator): https://www.usafencing.org/news/2024/september/16/club-incubator-program-celebrates-successful-launch-of-wisconsin-s-badger-fencing-club
USA Fencing: Badger success story (0 to 100 members): https://www.usafencing.org/news/2025/november/20/club-incubator-success-story-badger-fencing-club-rockets-from-zero-to-100-members
USA Fencing Club Incubator Program info: https://www.usafencing.org/club-incubator
Club Incubator overview article: https://www.usafencing.org/news/2024/june/06/club-incubator-program-a-new-grant-opportunity-to-turn-fencing-passion-into-a-profession
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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing
Host: Bryan Wendell
Cover art: Manna Creations
Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn
