Election 2026

USA Fencing Sets Hall of Fame Ballot for Class of 2027, With Member Voting to Take Place in May

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by Bryan Wendell

The USA Fencing Hall of Fame Committee has set the official ballot for the Class of 2027 across six categories. Voting will take place in May alongside the Board of Directors election. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Class of 2027 Hall of Fame ballot is here — and it features some of the most accomplished and beloved names in the history of American fencing.

The Hall of Fame Committee, chaired by Kamilla Gafurzianova OLY, reviewed an initial list of 47 qualified nominees across all categories before arriving at the final ballot. The committee evaluated each candidate against strict criteria, including objective scoring metrics, mandatory retirement periods and overall impact on the sport. These nominees represent a highly curated group of individuals who unequivocally meet the caliber expected of a Hall of Fame inductee.

Eligible members will vote in May, and their votes will help determine who earns a place in fencing immortality. In most categories, member voting results are combined with objective scoring criteria to determine the inductees.

The Class of 2027 will be inducted at the 2027 Summer Nationals.

How Many Will Be Inducted? 

The Hall of Fame Committee has recommended the following induction caps for the Class of 2027:

  • Olympic Athlete: 1
  • Paralympic Athlete: 1
  • Veteran Athlete: 1
  • Coach: 1
  • Contributor: 2
  • Legacy: 2

That brings the total Class of 2027 to a maximum of 8 inductees.

Hall of Fame Nominees, Class of 2027 

Olympic Athlete (1 to be inducted) Objective Scoring + Membership Vote

  • Tim Morehouse OLY (Saber)
  • Ibtihaj Muhammad OLY (Saber)
  • Nicole Ross OLY (Foil)

Paralympic Athlete (1 to be inducted) Membership Vote

  • Carol Hickey PLY (Epee/Foil)
  • Gerard Moreno PLY (Foil/Saber)
  • Mario Rodriguez PLY (Foil/Epee/Saber)

Veteran Athlete (1 to be inducted) Objective Scoring + Membership Vote

  • Elizabeth Kocab (Epee)
  • Anne-Marie Walters (Foil)
  • Joe Streb (Saber/Foil)

Coach (1 to be inducted) Membership Vote

  • Gary Copeland
  • Mark Masters
  • Gil Pezza

Contributor (2 to be inducted) Membership Vote

  • Gerrie Baumgart
  • Meredith Delgado
  • Jon Moss
  • Sean Shumate PLY
  • Christy Strong Simmons

Legacy (2 to be inducted) Membership Vote

  • Herb Cohen OLY (Foil)
  • Joseph B. Freeman OLY (Foil)
  • Steve Kaplan OLY (Saber)
  • Sally Pechinsky OLY (Foil)
  • Dick Pew OLY (Epee)