USA Fencing

Fencing at the NCAA Division I level requires a student-athlete to navigate through a series of challenges, on and off the strip. 

Cindy Long has taken on those challenges with distinction. The Warren, N.J., native is a sophomore at Temple University and a fixture in the epee lineup for the Owls.

Long started fencing at age 11 and fences out of the Medeo Fencing Club in Bridgewater Township, N.J. — roughly midway between New York City and Philadelphia. She knew early on she wanted to fence at the collegiate level.

“I wanted to fence in college because I always heard it was such a great experience — meeting teammates and meeting new people," she says. “I guess what brought my me specifically to Temple was that the team energy was really amazing. It sounds like a cliché, but we’re like a family because you’re spending so much time with each other. And all of the girls on the team are wonderful, they’re helpful, they won’t ever let you down, and they’re always there to help you.”

When she first arrived at Temple, Long took on the task of adapting her mindset of an athlete competing in an individual combat sport to the team concept.

“It was a little weird in the beginning,” she says, “because fencing is individual, and the first half of your development is mostly things you can work on, usually with a coach. But on a team, it’s more like collectively working together for the betterment of the team and the energy you bring to the team really affects everyone.

"So, if you bring positive energy, and everyone on the team thinks you’re great and amazing, it should be a great practice.”

There were adjustments to be made in the classroom as well. Long admits she struggled at first while striving to balance her academic responsibilities with the demands of being a Division I athlete. As it turned out, the key to her subsequent academic success lie in the realm of time management.

“It was difficult for me in the beginning,” Long says, “just because of how much time there is to dedicate to fencing, especially on a team.

“I really had to learn the hard way to manage my time well. In freshman year, I’d always be, ‘I still have time, I still have a week to do this. I can put this off and do something else.’ But now, I really try to do the work ahead of time. Even if it’s assigned that day, I’ll try to get part of it done.

“And, especially with competitions on the weekend I make sure to finish all my work ahead of time, so I don’t have to think about it during the competition or worry about it later.”

First-year Temple coach Jennie Salmon, who competed for Temple herself as a student-athlete, returned to her alma mater this season to succeed the legendary Dr. Nikki Franke as the Owls’ head coach.

Salmon says Long embraces the team concept.

“Cindy is a very team-oriented and collaborative personality,” she says. “She is always willing to give her teammates feedback, and she takes feedback well.

“She’s on time, works hard, and pushes herself to be better. I’ve been here for about three months and I’ve had several conversations with her about ‘What are we working for, and towards?’ Because she has that passion and she’s a forward-looking fencer as far as her own development.

"And when Cindy is not fencing at a competition, she’s fully engaged and supportive of her teammates.”

Salmon notes that Long works as hard on her academic work as she does on the strip.

“Her first semester here as a first-year, she really had to find her footing and work it out,” Salmon says, “and this past semester, her first semester of her sophomore year, she’s definitely hit her stride. 

"So, whether it’s as a student or an athlete, she is someone who is looking to grow and develop, not only as an individual but alongside her program. She brings a lot of joy to the team.”

For her part, Long, who plans to major in Computer Science, says the worth ethic that has helped her succeed as a fencer has also enhanced her performance in the classroom.

“Thinking about work in a positive way is something that has also affected me academically,” she says. “I used to dread writing essays because I would always put it off, but now that I try to think more positively I always try and get it done ahead of time for example.

“But, I think the biggest thing is I always try my hardest, no matter what it is. I’m only going to give 100 percent, whether I’m it’s sitting at a desk or I’m on the strip.”