U.S. Fencing Foundation Fête
Thursday, May 28, 2026 — New York Athletic Club
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the legacy and future of collegiate fencing in the United States.
The U.S. Fencing Foundation Fete is the event of the year, bringing together Olympians and Paralympians, coaches, alumni, families, and friends for an inspiring night of community, connection, and impact. This is more than a celebration, it raises critical funds that fuel the future of fencing.
Your support directly powers:
- High-performance athletes and coaches
- Officials and Bout Committee development and support
- Collegiate and club program support and expansion
- Access programs for those with financial need
The evening will feature a live auction and appeal, as well as a special award ceremony and an online silent auction.
Together, we’re building the next generation of champions, on and off the strip.
The fundraising gala will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at The New York Athletic Club.
- Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m.
- Dinner and a celebration will follow at 8 p.m.
- Business/Cocktail Attire
Hotel information
New York Hilton Midtown | (212) 586-7000
1335 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Group Rate Available under USA Fencing through April 26, 2026.
Special Thanks
Special thank you to our Organizing Committee for making this extraordinary event come to life:
- Joe Inzerillo
- Victoria Voytek
- Selina Kaing
- Yana Kravtsova
- Jeffrey Weber
- Robin McGraw
- Don Anthony
- Lilly Huang
- Sunil Sabharwal
- Gary Lu
Thank you to our Sponsors
CO-PRESENTING SPONSORS
- The Allan and Betty Ruben Trust
- The Donald C. McGraw Foundation
GOLD SPONSORS
- Pierre and Amy Chao, on behalf of Wellesley College
- Rosa Campa Hearne, on behalf of Wagner College
- Jimmy Kuhn, on behalf of Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Kurtis Fechtmeyer & Alison Townley OLY, on behalf of Harvard University
- Sean Simon, on behalf of Boston College
- Valerie Asher/USA Fencing Veterans Committee, on behalf of Yale University
- Masters Academy International, on behalf of Boston College
- The USA Fencing Collegiate Coalition
- Victoria Voytek & Robert Fogelson, on behalf of the University of Notre Dame
SILVER SPONSORS
- Fencers Club, donated by Neil Rifkind
- Jeffrey & Stacey Weber
- The New York Athletic Club
- Lancet Fencing Equipment, donated by Joe Inzerillo
- Foundation for Sport Leadership/Absolute Fencing Foundation, donated by Sunil and Gabby Sabharwal and Gary Liu
- Robert Parisien
- Will Chang, on behalf of Stanford University
BRONZE SPONSORS
- Phil Andrews
- Upper Right Marketing
- Blue Gauntlet
- Day Pitney LLP
- Hope Cone
- INGENIUS Prep
- Lilly Huang, on behalf of Stanford University
- Selina Kaing
- Victoria Voytek and Robert Fogelson, on behalf of Manhattan Fencing Center
Yale Fencing Alumni Association, in honor of Coach Henry Harutunian (two tables)
Wine Partners
Thank you to Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Domaine Drouhin, En Garde Winery and Mai Vino who will provide their award-winning pours at this year's Fete!
Announcing Our 2026 Emcee: Sydney Persing
We’re thrilled to announce that Sydney Persing will serve as emcee for the 2026 U.S. Fencing Foundation Fête.
Persing is a local news anchor and reporter and a former NCAA fencer for the University of North Carolina. She currently serves as a weekend evening anchor at Fox 5 in Washington, D.C., and has previously reported for ABC in Dallas and CBS in Fort Myers. During her time in Dallas, Persing won an Emmy for her reporting on the growth of fencing in Texas.
A two-time captain of the women’s fencing team at UNC, Persing helped lead the Tar Heels to their first-ever ACC championship. She was recruited and coached by the late Ron Miller during his final years at the helm of the program and trained earlier under Marcos Lucchetti and Dan Bass.