While many athletes may take a breather during their off seasons, such is not the case for the Hawks on the Hunter fencing teams that are trying to raise money to purchase better equipment and fund future trips.
Several team members in late March explained this initiative at the teams’ first fundraiser, a bake sale, March 17, a Monday. Members of the men’s and women’s teams worked outside the third-floor cafeteria selling baked goods to help raise money for next season. An assortment of treats at a table, such as brownies, cookies and even lasagna, were offered. The teams were hoping to raise about $800 by the end of the spring semester.
This past season the men’s team competed in about 30 contests. Fencers who want to make it to the regional level of competition had to have competed in at least 21. However, team members can’t make it to every bout because of classes, personal commitments and sometimes injuries.
Captain Joshua Lopez, a 21-year-old sociology major and third-year student, who resides in Woodhaven, Queens, said in an interview via e-mail, “We want to provide better opportunities and refreshments during long meets.” The refreshments are light snacks while team members wait for their bouts. Lopez, who started fencing while doing stage fencing for the play “Hamlet” in high school, subsequently fell in love with the sport. He came to Hunter because it had a team. As captain, he hopes to “show them my fire and passion to get them excited and into the game as well,” he said.
Team unity and high spirits generate unity. Jose Somora, a 19-year-old first-year student, convinced teammates to wear purple and gold socks during their competitions. Somora, who was interviewed on the phone and in a subsequent e-mail, lives on the west side of Manhattan. He said that funds were needed to pay for both food and hotel rooms “so that the team can fence against MIT, one of the varsity schools in Boston.” Hunter provides transportation with one of the school vans, which seats about 16.
Why were the fencing teams so pressed for cash? Amanda Birro, a 19-year-old first-year student on the women’s team, who was dressed casually on the afternoon of the bake sale in jeans and a sweatshirt, offered a few ideas. “We don’t get much from the school because we are a division three team, and there are so many teams at Hunter,” she said. Birro, who lives in Centereach, Long Island, said she was unsure of how much financial support the team got from the school, but it wasn’t enough, saying “fencing is an expensive sport.”
Costs of equipment, travel and hotel rooms as well as food have to be taken into consideration in order for the teams to compete seriously. Coach Tibi Sala was asked via e-mail how much was allotted to the team from the athletic department, but had yet to reply as this article was being readied for publication.
Assistant coaches Randy Brasil and Gianina Ventura worked with Sala, and the teams also practiced together Monday through Friday. Biro said that the teams “always get together and help each other out.”
In the future, the fencing teams plan to fundraise at other Hunter sports events. Lopez said the fencers would be joining the softball team in the future for a bake sale. With the help of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, the team hopes to be able to do as many fundraisers as possible, Lopez said.
The WORD’s Marguerite Rogers can be reached at maroger@hunter.cuny.edu.