Vet Team becomes the Road Scholar Vet National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Fencing is proud to announce that the Veteran World Team will now compete as the Road Scholar Veteran National Team, a partnership built on a shared belief that the best journeys don't end at a certain age — they just get more interesting.

Road Scholar is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel. For veteran fencers — athletes ages 40 and older who bring equal parts athleticism, strategy and perspective to every bout — that mission hits close to home.

This partnership marks a first for the veteran fencing community, bringing new visibility and support to athletes who exemplify learning in action. Through this collaboration, Road Scholar is helping shine a spotlight on veteran competitors as they prepare for the Veteran World Championships — highlighting the resilience, focus and spirit of discovery that define learning at every stage of life.

"Veteran fencers embody what it means to be a lifelong learner," says Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. "They chase podiums and rack up frequent flyer miles, but they also chase growth. Anyone who has spent time watching these competitors see how they’re refining their game, studying new opponents and proving that competitive fire doesn't fade with age. Road Scholar gets that, and we're thrilled to have them in our corner."

The timing couldn't be better. 

Team USA's veteran fencers delivered a headline-worthy performance at the 2025 Veteran Fencing World Championships in Manama, Bahrain, leading the medal count with 33 total medals, including 10 gold. After Bahrain, the bar is officially high.

The Road Scholar Vet National Team pathway runs through three key national events in 2026:

• February 2026 North American Cup in Cincinnati
• April 2026 North American Cup in Richmond, Va.
• 2026 Summer Nationals in Portland, Ore.

The Veteran fencers with the top results across those three tournaments will represent Team USA as members of the Road Scholar Veteran National Team at the 2026 FIE Veteran Fencing World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, and the 2026 Pan Am Youth and Veteran Championships.

“At Road Scholar, we believe the spirit of discovery doesn’t fade with age, it evolves,” says Steve August, VP of Marketing at Road Scholar. “This partnership reflects our belief that lifelong learners continue to push themselves, explore new challenges, and age adventurously. We are proud to support these remarkable athletes as they represent this mindset on the world stage.”

Road Scholar's mission depends on connecting lifelong learners with the world's great destinations. The best way our community can support this partnership — and keep funding growing for our veteran athletes — is to enroll in a Road Scholar learning adventure.