USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Fencing is thrilled to welcome two accomplished professionals, Nicole Kirk and Shannon Daugherty, as the newest additions to our team. 

Their talent and passion will significantly enhance our support for regional event organizers, enable us to tell the stories of fencers at all levels, and provide better service to our members.

We hope you’ll welcome these two newest team members the next time you interact with them by email, on the phone or in person at one of our USA Fencing events.

Nicole Kirk joins USA Fencing as a crucial member of our Communications team, bringing with her an impressive portfolio of sports media experience. 

She previously served as an Assistant Athletics Communication Director for Fighting Irish Media at the University of Notre Dame, where she managed social media, content and media relations for several sports, including the national championship fencing teams in 2022 and 2023. This specific experience with fencing will be invaluable as she moves from one winning fencing program to another.

Before her tenure at Notre Dame, Kirk worked for the University of Northern Colorado, contributing to content creation for all sports.

Kirk earned both her bachelor's degree in mass communication and a master's degree in sports management from Frostburg State University in Maryland. As a student, she played four years of field hockey and later served as a graduate assistant.

"I am ecstatic to join USA Fencing,” Kirk says. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the stories of world-class athletes competing at the highest level alongside an excellent team of professionals."

Shannon Daugherty is joining USA Fencing's Events team, bringing with her a wealth of experience in team logistics and operations. 

She’s worked in a National Governing Body (NGB) environment before, having spent four years with USA Wrestling. There, she developed a deep passion for the Olympic and Paralympic movement, which she is excited to foster further at USA Fencing.

In her previous role, Daugherty honed her skills in team coordination, logistics planning and operational execution. This expertise will be instrumental in planning and executing successful regional and national fencing events, ensuring a smooth experience for fencers, coaches, officials and fans.

Daugherty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University. 

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of USA Fencing," Daugherty says. "I'm looking forward to delving into a new sport, getting to know the people in this community and learning how I can serve them in my position."