Like many young people, the first thing I wanted to do when I was old enough was move out of my hometown — in my case, South Bend, Indiana.
I think Notre Dame is simply in my blood. Five national championships in 34 seasons. A career record of , for a winning percentage of. As he put it, other than my grandmother — his beloved Polly — his children, his grandchildren, and his fencers, his most cherished time was spent with the student-athletes across the campus. The professors trusted him and the athletes respected him. And sometimes feared him. This was a wonderful position that seemed made for me — a position designing and teaching local community-based learning at the College of Business, supported in part by the Center for Social Concerns.
After his retirement, one of his most important accomplishments was successfully helping to woo our current Head Fencing Coach, Gia Kvaratskhelia. Gia is an absolute gem on our campus, leading our Irish to multiple national championships, earning several ACC Coach of the Year designations, and winning Olympic Coach of the Year accolades, among other recognitions. Most admirably, Gia treasures his fencers and inspires their success on the fencing strip and in the classroom.
He also supports a local fencing club with classes for children and adults at a beautiful facility in Mishawaka, Escrime du Lac EDL I hope that name sounds familiar! Like all of my faculty colleagues, I have many of our marvelous student-athletes in my classes.
I am inspired by their hard work — starting their days while many of us are sound asleep, going to workouts, heading to class for hours, and then more practice in the afternoon, followed by studying and with luck, some sleep. I hope that I honor my grandfather every day that I am blessed with this opportunity to teach these students who give so much of their time and talents to our university community.
