Collection inventory

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Syracuse University Fencing Club Collection

An inventory of the collection at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Halsey Van Allen
Date: 2023

Revision history:

Historical Note

Fencing has existed as at Syracuse University since the turn of the twentieth century. By 1946, the fencing club had disbanded and re-formed at least four times, often because of the departure of key personnel such as coaches relocating and players graduating. Around 1950, there was a push to create a competitive varsity men's fencing team, coached by Benjamin Burtt, professor of chemistry, and N.L. Rice, professor of fine arts. Alexander Dako's time as coach beginning in 1958 marked one of the only years the fencing club qualified to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships. During this time, fencing was designated a minor sport, which included some players receiving scholarships in 1967. However, by 1986, fencing had been designated a club sport. By the 1990s the club had become coed. As of 2023, the fencing club remains a coed club sport at Syracuse University.

Scope and Content Note

The Syracuse University Fencing Club Collection contains three series.

Within the Awards series are unmarked medals, a blank service award, and plaques commemorating competition placement.

The Records series contains materials relating to the club's history, administration, and relationship with the University. This includes a notebook with rosters and practice attendance, fliers to advertise the club, and correspondence with alumni and the University. Additionally, there are general materials distributed to club sports such as a handbook, certification, and facility assignments.

The Photographs series contains photographs and negatives of the fencing club practicing and competing as well as team composites and individual headshots.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The University Archives Clipping Files Collection has files for both men's and women's fencing that provide historical information for the club, as well as clipping files for coaches Alexander Dako and Benjamin Burtt.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University Fencing Club.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

College sports.
Fencing.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Awards.
Brochures.
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence.
Fliers.
Handbooks.
Medals.
Negatives (photographs)
Photographs.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Syracuse University Fencing Club Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Syracuse University Fencing Club in 2022.

Processing Information

Items were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. For storage and preservation reasons, photographs were removed from frames where applicable.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically.

Table of Contents

Awards

Records

Photographs

Inventory