Introducing USA Fencing’s Lunge Program, Offering Career-Focused Mentorship for National Team Athletes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fencers know the path from the podium to a fulfilling career isn’t always a straight line. Enter Lunge, USA Fencing’s new mentorship initiative that’s designed to connect national-team fencers with industry pros who can turn athletic grit into career gold.

“We’ve watched USRowing’s Currents program create genuine post-sport opportunities for rowers, and Lunge brings that same winning formula to fencing,” says Phil Andrews, USA Fencing CEO. “Our athletes give everything to represent Team USA. This program gives back — making sure the discipline that wins bouts also opens doors in the workplace.”

• One-on-One Mentorship: Each athlete (or mentee) is paired with a mentor whose professional background matches the fencer’s interests — like technology, finance, healthcare, media and more.
• Are you a leader who would enjoy mentoring an athlete in your area? Reach out below!
• Employment Connections: Partner companies offer internships and entry- to mid-level roles that flex around a fencer’s rigorous training and competition schedules.
• Are you an employer who wants or can host an athlete? Reach out below! 
• Résumé & Interview Coaching: Mentors provide feedback sessions, networking tips and mock interviews so athletes present their best selves on and off the strip.

• Mentees: Lunge mentors can be anyone who has traveled internationally to represent Team USA. Please note, however, that where opportunities are limited, Senior and Para national team members will be prioritized.
• Mentors: Professionals — inside or outside the fencing community — ready to share expertise, expand networks and champion the next generation of champions.

• National-Team Athletes: Reserve your place in the inaugural cohort by completing the Mentee Interest Form.
• Prospective Mentors: Help transform fencing talent into workplace leadership by filling out the Mentor Application.
• Prospective Employers: Help employ a Fencer as they continue on their athletic journey and enter the workplace form, and see more information below.

Many of USA Fencings’s athletes are balancing the demanding schedules of Olympic and Paralympic training with the pursuit of meaningful work. There’s still a pressing need for flexible remote positions that align with our athletes' unique demands. Specifically, athletes benefit from:

• Remote/fractional roles with flexible, part-time schedules (50-75%), and can accommodate international event travel.
• Working hours that fit around training (e.g., 10:30 AM–3:30 PM)
• An understanding of their travel commitments for training camps.

If your company, community, or extended network has opportunities that fit this profile, we’d love to hear from you! 

Elite athletes are highly educated, motivated, disciplined and adaptable—making them incredible assets to any organization. These positions allow them to gain valuable work experience while staying committed to their Olympic and Paralympic goals.

Many USA Fencing athletes are in technical subject areas such as Finance, Engineering, Legal, Science tracks or similar and ideally are likely to seek employers that can lead to, and support, their career. 

Here are examples of fields that can accommodate remote work:

• Writing and Content Creation
• Marketing and Communications
• Consulting and Research
• Technology and IT
• Sales and Customer Support
• Education and Training
• Finance, Business, and Nonprofit Work
• Creative, Administrative, and Sports Industry Roles

If you have leads, opportunities, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to fill out the form or contact Phil at p.andrews@usafencing.orgto discuss how we can help athletes together.

Join Lunge today and help Team USA fencers continue their winning ways off the strip.