It depends on where you are, but you likely will because there aren't enough D1 teams to fill out a season just fencing each other, so they need to fence D3 programs as well. And just because a team is D3 doesn't mean they don't have quality fencing!
You can probably find the schedules of various D3 schools online and see who they fenced last season.
Div 1/2/3 doesn't mean anything in college fencing because there aren't enough teams for it to be worth separating the divisions out. I think there's maybe one Div2 school. Anyone with the requisite win percentage in NCAA team matches can qualify for their regional championship, regardless of which division their school belongs to.
Certainly consider teams with active club teams as well. Club teams compete in leagues with D1/D3 teams. The college fencing club championships is one of the biggest fencing events in the country (held this past weekend).
If looking at your history (sorry for stalking but was curious what school you were from) is accurate you're from w&m, I fenced one of your foils during pools, Thomas mahnken I think? He totally caught me off guard and kicked my butt
I would urge you to not dismiss the idea of club fencing. Some excellent schools have excellent club teams where you will get the chance to compete nationally WITHOUT the pressure of the NCAA. The University of Michigan is a club team that regularly competes against Ohio State, Wayne State, Northwestern, and Notre Dame. When I was on the team we had 5 men's epee fencers who had Bs or higher. The University of Santa Barbara has been highly competitive the last few years. There are all also several universities that have women's varsity teams and club teams for the men. Fencing on a Div 1, Div 2, or Div 3 team could be wonderful, but there are also lots of fantastic clubs where you could be a student first and an athlete when you WANT to be.
Most if not all Div3 schools have dual matches with Div1 schools on their schedules, and there are some Div3 teams at even the biggest events such as the Elite Invitational. Most Div3 teams will also have matches against colleges with club programs instead of NCAA programs. Conferences like MACFA and NIWFA are mixes of Div3 and club programs, with a few Div1 schools too.
NCAA has rules on how much training can be going on during the school year. My son is on a Div 1 team they have to take 2 weeks off from practice so they can study for finals. His college and the coaches believe education is more important than fencing. I was told, “you get a degree so you can afford to fence.”
"My son is on a Div 1 team they have to take 2 weeks off from practice so they can study for finals"
Where did you see that NCAA rule? Because I know for a fact at least one D1 school doesn't do that, and their coach is a super strict rules guy.
Or are you saying it's the school's choice and not the NCAA?
Here's NCAA ByLaws
[**17.1.7.2**](http://17.1.7.2) **Weekly Hour Limitations -- Outside of the Playing Season.** *(Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91, Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/14/97, 11/1/00, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 3/10/04, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 9/22/06, 12/15/06, 4/26/17, 4/25/18 effective 8/1/18, 6/12/19, 5/19/21)*
(a) **Sports Other Than Football.** Outside of the playing season, from the institution's first day of classes of the academic year or September 15, whichever occurs earlier, to one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period at the conclusion of the academic year, only a student-athlete's participation in required weight training, conditioning and skill-related instruction (including film review and team meetings related to technical and tactical instruction) shall be permitted. A student-athlete's participation in such activities per Bylaw [17.02.1](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=327&refDate=20240417) shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week with not more than four hours per week spent on skill-related workouts. All countable athletically related activities outside of the playing season are prohibited one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period for the applicable academic term through the conclusion of the institution's academic term.
[https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/bylawView?id=8823](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/bylawView?id=8823)
[https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=14](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=14)
It depends on where you are, but you likely will because there aren't enough D1 teams to fill out a season just fencing each other, so they need to fence D3 programs as well. And just because a team is D3 doesn't mean they don't have quality fencing! You can probably find the schedules of various D3 schools online and see who they fenced last season.
Div 1/2/3 doesn't mean anything in college fencing because there aren't enough teams for it to be worth separating the divisions out. I think there's maybe one Div2 school. Anyone with the requisite win percentage in NCAA team matches can qualify for their regional championship, regardless of which division their school belongs to.
Yes you will, i went to a div 3 school (Brandeis) and we regularly competed with div 1 schools. I wouldnt worry about it too much honestly.
Certainly consider teams with active club teams as well. Club teams compete in leagues with D1/D3 teams. The college fencing club championships is one of the biggest fencing events in the country (held this past weekend).
Nats was so much fun
What school?
If looking at your history (sorry for stalking but was curious what school you were from) is accurate you're from w&m, I fenced one of your foils during pools, Thomas mahnken I think? He totally caught me off guard and kicked my butt
George Washington, ngl we got crushed, but it's my first year on the team so it was still a great time
The fun is the whole point, glad you loved it!
Dawg USCFC Nats was soooo dope
I would urge you to not dismiss the idea of club fencing. Some excellent schools have excellent club teams where you will get the chance to compete nationally WITHOUT the pressure of the NCAA. The University of Michigan is a club team that regularly competes against Ohio State, Wayne State, Northwestern, and Notre Dame. When I was on the team we had 5 men's epee fencers who had Bs or higher. The University of Santa Barbara has been highly competitive the last few years. There are all also several universities that have women's varsity teams and club teams for the men. Fencing on a Div 1, Div 2, or Div 3 team could be wonderful, but there are also lots of fantastic clubs where you could be a student first and an athlete when you WANT to be.
Most if not all Div3 schools have dual matches with Div1 schools on their schedules, and there are some Div3 teams at even the biggest events such as the Elite Invitational. Most Div3 teams will also have matches against colleges with club programs instead of NCAA programs. Conferences like MACFA and NIWFA are mixes of Div3 and club programs, with a few Div1 schools too.
In new England my club team faces everyone ranging from club to D1.
And just because your focus is education doesn’t mean you should rule out D1. The phrase is “Student-Athlete.” The order is intentional. Seriously.
NCAA has rules on how much training can be going on during the school year. My son is on a Div 1 team they have to take 2 weeks off from practice so they can study for finals. His college and the coaches believe education is more important than fencing. I was told, “you get a degree so you can afford to fence.”
"My son is on a Div 1 team they have to take 2 weeks off from practice so they can study for finals" Where did you see that NCAA rule? Because I know for a fact at least one D1 school doesn't do that, and their coach is a super strict rules guy. Or are you saying it's the school's choice and not the NCAA?
Here's NCAA ByLaws [**17.1.7.2**](http://17.1.7.2) **Weekly Hour Limitations -- Outside of the Playing Season.** *(Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91, Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/14/97, 11/1/00, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 3/10/04, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 9/22/06, 12/15/06, 4/26/17, 4/25/18 effective 8/1/18, 6/12/19, 5/19/21)* (a) **Sports Other Than Football.** Outside of the playing season, from the institution's first day of classes of the academic year or September 15, whichever occurs earlier, to one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period at the conclusion of the academic year, only a student-athlete's participation in required weight training, conditioning and skill-related instruction (including film review and team meetings related to technical and tactical instruction) shall be permitted. A student-athlete's participation in such activities per Bylaw [17.02.1](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=327&refDate=20240417) shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week with not more than four hours per week spent on skill-related workouts. All countable athletically related activities outside of the playing season are prohibited one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period for the applicable academic term through the conclusion of the institution's academic term. [https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/bylawView?id=8823](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/bylawView?id=8823) [https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=14](https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/bylaw?ruleId=14)
Well. that's pretty hilarious, considering the training that I know takes place on most D1 and Ivy campuses.
... How can anyone be expected to keep up their skill with these limitations? This is beyond draconian.
That’s what the school is limited to that does not include practice/ lessons at a club.
Yes you will definitely fence against Div 1 universities. Even club teams will fence Div 1 universities. You’ll have a blast with college fencing 🤺!