Epic History of the AADS

(To the Duelists: Apologies to those of you whose names are forgotten, misremembered, misspelled or overlooked. None of the Epic Historians are perfect with names. If you're offended, find Martin, Bill, or Stuart, and we'll discuss this with steel.)
 

From small beginnings...

The Ann Arbor YMCA offers a number of recreational classes to the community. Among them for over a decade have been beginning and continuing fencing classes. Originally, the Y was the home of the Ann Arbor Sword Club, with classes under the tutelage of David Hoornstra. When the Y's plans for the class conflicted with the Sword Club's own plans, the Sword Club relocated. This left the Y with a void: they had fencing classes, but no fencing instructor. In stepped Jason Radine, a student of David Hoornstra. Jason taught an active youth program for a number of years, but the adult program dwindled.

In January 1994, Dr. John Gosling joined the class, and was instantly hooked. His son, John Jr., had asked if he could take fencing classes, and they joined as a father-son activity. John Jr. has since moved on to other interests, and fences only occasionally; but not so Doc. He stuck with Jason at the Y and watched as the class size dropped nearly to nothing. Doc was often the sole student during the summer. Ever the dedicated duelist, when the YMCA threatened to close the class unless seven or more students enrolled, Doc added some ghost students -- using names of his relatives. When Doc ran out of relatives to enroll, he used the names of deceased former patients.

The circle grows

In September 1994, a new class cycle began; and as usual, a number of newcomers arrived to try out the ancient art of fencing. Typically, the newcomers would all lose interest, and Jason would have only Doc for a student by the end of the two-month cycle. Doc would then enroll more dead folks as ghost students, so the class could run again. This time, however, three students stuck it out, encouraged by Jason and Doc. These were Tom Lavey, Linda Huff and Martin Shoemaker. Tom had dabbled in fencing in college; Linda and Martin were complete novices. But like most of the AADS, each was fulfilling a life-long dream to pick up a sword and test their mettle with metal. Jason introduced an old Sword Club tradition: post-class trips to the Old Town Tavern. There and on the fencing strip, the club formed an easy-going social circle; and the decline of the Y fencing program was halted.

In November 1994, we acquired two new regulars: Linda's friend Marie, and Patty Branam. In early 1995, they were joined by Terry Krueger. Then Steve Gregory, a former student of David Hoornstra, returned to the Y as a break from his studies. Dean Lin, a student from the youth class, decided he needed bigger challenges, and he joined the adult class. We began competing in local tournaments.

 
 

A little newsprint goes a long way

Patty's husband Judd Branam, a reporter for the Ann Arbor News, wrote a story about the group, and several new people were inspired to join us. From this were gained two more regulars: Mike Rappaport and Bill Emerson. Mike and Bill are two Michigan State University alums; despite this, they were graciously allowed to participate in a fine and growing Ann Arbor institution. (Or as Mike and Bill tell the story: for the sake of fencing, they lower themselves enough to travel to the environs of the obnoxious University of Michigan.)

Another person appeared due to the Ann Arbor News story: David Hoornstra returned. He fenced with the group for a while, then announced that he was reviving the Ann Arbor Sword Club at a nearby facility. That left the group without a name. Because Jason had originally been a member of the Sword Club, he had thought of his students as connected to the Sword Club through him. Now they could not use that name without being confused with Dave's club; and Dave had the legitimate right to the name. Thus we acquired our current name. (I can't pretend we nominated alternatives and voted; the AADS is just not that formal. We got together over drinks at the Olde Town, bounced some ideas around, and settled on the Ann Arbor Dueling Society.)

That summer, the Duelists began searching the midwest for fencers worse than us. The season of road trips began with a trip to the Cleveland Cooler tournament in August.

That Ann Arbor News story just kept bringing fencers out of the woodwork. Jim Vesper, the University of Michigan fencing coach, arrived with a student whom he wanted to teach over the summer. Basically, he wanted to use the Y's space, and he offered to compensate with individual lessons. His student moved on; but somehow, Jim stuck. When we get too arrogant, Jim is sure to deflate an overinflated ego by showing the difference between real skill and just dumb luck. He also provides excellent lessons, but always at a cost. Jim believes in the converse of the Heinlein adage: "Anything free is worth what you pay for it." To Jim, anything you don't pay for has no value to you. If you're motivated to pay for a lesson, you may be motivated to learn. (Either that, or Jim just likes for us to buy his beer.)

Into the breach

In the Fall of 1995, the newly bolstered ranks of the AADS began an ambitious road schedule (searching far and wide for fencers worse than us) beginning with the Remanyk Open on the beautiful campus of Northwestern University. The brave Duelists were relegated to the last page of the results sheets, but vowed to improve for the 1996 tournament. So they continued the march to better themselves against foreign competition.

The constant references to "road schedule" and "foreign lands" stem from the fact that very few tournaments in 1995-6 were hosted by institutions in Michigan. Thus, the Duelist had to travel far and wide to "find fencers worse than us." 
 
 

More faces change

In January 1996, Jason Radine took a sabbatical to Israel. Steve Gregory took over the task of instructor. During the Spring and Summer following Divisionals and Nationals, the changes at the AADS kept right on rolling. A fella named Jon Beland joined up, doubling the average foot speed of the club. Tom's brother, Dave Lavey, also donned fencing whites saying, "They tell me it makes the beer taste better."

Épée Bill's girlfriend, Joelle Hoover, against her better judgment, started hanging out with the Duelists in June of '96 after her student teaching stint in Battle Creek ended. They were married on September 6, 1997. And Joey later entered active duty, fencing at two tournaments in '98.

In keeping with the AADS tradition of attracting fellow drunken reprobates, while at a tournament in Columbus the Duelists were approached by a left-handed nomadic fencer, by the name of Stuart Bernstein. The duelists offered Stuart a beer after the tournament, and like a stray kitten that you give milk to, he followed them home to Michigan the following September. Stuart initially wore the Grosse Pointe Condottiere patch upon arriving in Michigan, they clearly had the edge in instructors and skilled fencers. However, he has recently jumped ship and now proudly wears the AADS crest -- we have it all over them in fun, fellowship and bar time.

A wandering minstrel, make that music therapist, Geoff Nostrant joined our ranks at this time as well. Thus, in the period of a couple months TRIPLING the amount of left-handed fencers in the club!

 Despite fencing left-handedly, Geoff plays classical guitar right-handed and has often provided accompaniment to our practices (and parties!!).

 Geoff would also like to invite any attractive, single, female fencers to send him email.

The new year

Once again the Remanyk tournament rolled around and, now armed with a year of experience, the Duelists went into the '96-'97 season with new confidence and new members. Every Duelist improved his or her placing over the previous year (except Stuart, who was in "equipment hell" that day). And thanks to the logistical wizardry of Susan Krueger, the Duelists were housed in the very lap of luxury, enjoyed the finest entertainment and best brunch buffet in Chicago! Yay, Susan! Also that year, Tom Lavey's green lame finally failed inspection, to the mixed reactions of the club members. Tom has lost an edge over his opponents, but sometimes we're his opponents!

Between tournaments Tom keeps the new lame preserved in a glass case with an inert argon atmosphere. He still fences us with the non-conductive green cheezy lame.

That set the tone for continued improvements during the next few tournaments (especially those that didn't inspect Tom's old lame, it's amazing how often people hit Tom off target), and more Duelists earned (or requalified) ratings. The '96-'97 season also proved to be one of the most active in Dueling Society history due to efforts many Michigan-based clubs, most notably the Great Lakes Sword Club of Lansing, to host more events. Thanks to this push for more in-state events, Michigan fencers have had more outlets for their competitive arts.

 
 

In January of '97, as ever, the Ann Arbor Y started another cycle of fencing classes, attracting more new fencers to the sport. This time, only two rookies made the commitment to good fights between good friends: Amy McManus and Teresa Musial. This marked the largest infusion of female fencers into the AADS. Actually, it was the FIRST infusion of female fencers in the AADS, as it's hard to call less than two an "infusion." Amy, who was interested in fencing for "her whole life" was coerced into joining by her then boyfiend (not a typo), Paul. Amy at once fell in love with fencing and the Duelists, and out of love with Paul. This apparently was not the first lady love that Paul had lost to fencing. Amy has proven to be "a natural," and in the course of just over 3 months of fencing, she has been successful at both Épée and foil tournaments.

In March of '97, the AADS was forced to deal with the loss of one of its charter members. Martin Shoemaker, the original webmaster and Epic Historian of this page, found it necessary to preserve his sanity (and marriage) by taking a job in Gland Rabids. This job added to his paycheck and cut his commute by over 100 miles. So, with heavy hearts, the Duelists bid adieu to Martin while Stuart and Épée Bill took over as "Web Thingy" and "Epic Historian" respectively.

Idle hands

In March of '97 several Duelist were in a snit over wrongs done to them (both real and imagined) over their fencing careers. To exact a measure of revenge, Stuart, Amy, and Épée Bill dreamed up the "Pissed Us Off" section of this web site. This is sort of a Hall of Shame that, while vindictive and biased, will provide a sort of accountability to the fencing community...we hope.
 


 

Time to train

As the '96-'97 season wound down, the Duelists found themselves at a cross- roads: We had a couple E-ranked fencers, but little other distinction. That the summer, more of the club started to hang out at Dave Hornstra's Tuesday night practices. These covert sessions are hidden away in a non-descript Grange Hall on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. Knock twice at the back door and mention the name 'Salvatore'.

Must be Fall...

It must have been fall, because the newbie tree was full of fruit, and we got some real peaches. Kevin Bloom arrived and instantly became a fixture at Y and at the Olde Town. John and John also showed up and have not shown the good sense to leave yet.

And, lastly, Gary Hayenga, a highly ranked fencer from (at that point) Milwaukee, joined our group. The Y was all of three blocks from his significant other's house, and while Veronica has thus far been immune to the allure of fencing, Gary has been with us, raising the bar considerably.

 Between Gary's lessons and the extra training over the Summer, the club was ready for the new season. (With exception of Epic Historian, Epee Bill whose job kept him on the road too often to fence consistently) However, the Michigan Division was not nearly so prepared. The number of tournaments in '97-'98 plummeted from the previous season. So the duelists went back on the road for what Ohio and Indiana could offer us.
 
 

Things get interesting.

On August 28, 1998, the AADS held its first ever tournament at the Ann Arbor YMCA. Over 40 fencers came to the party we threw, which included a C-rated men's Epee draw. But, being our usual selfish selves, we made sure most of the goodies stayed in Ann Arbor: Terry medaled in every weapon, Patty took first in women's foil and Steve took third in men's foil.

 Also in August, Stuart and Amy exchanged vows, rings and wrist-shots and got married. To make matters worse, they then moved to Nashville! Something about Stuart getting a teaching job at a university down there...


Back to Chi-Town

Suddenly Bernstein-less, we forged on to the Remanyk at Northwestern University. Results were mixed, no medals but we had fun and it just warms your heart to see 200 fencers in one room. This marked the first time we had fenced on Halloween and the second time we used this tournament as an excuse to go to Medieval Times.

Faking Respectabilty

Toward the end of the 98-99 season, the Michigan Division was looking for some new blood and found a couple lucky bleeders in the AADS. Terry was elected as Vice Chair (after all who has more vices than Terry) and Epee Bill took on the job of secretary. Now firmly part of the fencing establisment, the AADS started become a respected part of the fencing community. (Yeah, right!) But, we did appear well-respected at the beginning of the 99-00 season, when enough Epee fencers showed up to make the Duelist Open Part Deux a Group II event! Whoo-hoo! We threw another party and everyone came!

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