I was a varsity fencer, though nowhere near as good as some of the people listed in this article. I have met numerous parents over the years who got their kids

I was a varsity fencer, though nowhere near as good as some of the people listed in this article. I have met numerous parents over the years who got their kids into fencing because it would look good for college. There is a stereotype of the SAT prep book next to a fencing bag. Most of these kids quit fencing as soon as they start college. A few stick with the university team, but quit as soon as they graduate. It is rare to find someone who continues fencing at the age of 22 and isn't trying to make the Olympic team. (Which is ironic because fencing is an individual sport that can be done the rest of someone's life.) Like the article states, there are very few fencing spots available, primarily because there are very few universities that are serious about it. Anytime a parent asks me what the chances are their kid gets a scholarship, I always ask, "What's your kid's world ranking?" From plenty of first-hand observation: if a kid isn't in the top 100 of the world, that kid isn't going to be recruited. (A walk-on spot will still be available for people who want to fence, but forget about getting a phone call from a coach.)