On July 8, 2020, Stanford University announced its devastating decision to eliminate 11 varsity sports programs, including its storied Men’s and Women’s Fencing program. The U.S. fencing community is saddened and stunned, but we believe that we can still convince Stanford to reverse their decision.

The Olympic sport of fencing has been a fixture at Stanford since the school's founding. Stanford’s student-athlete fencers over the years have represented the best in their sport – with six Olympians, nine NCAA Champions, and more than 30 All-Americans.

Stanford’s program is prominent within the sport of fencing, attracting some of the highest- caliber student-athletes. As an athletic department that served as a leader in utilizing an inclusive, student-centered approach this is a significant shift in philosophy that crushes much of what has made Stanford special to the greater fencing community. 

The sport of fencing has experienced rapid growth in the U.S., with participation doubling over the past decade. Fencing has great diversity and attracts a large international student body. It also provides a great opportunity to bring a diverse group of student-athletes with varied cultural backgrounds to your university. By eliminating the sport, you will be losing an opportunity to help create a diverse student-athlete population.

By signing this petition, you are showing your support, not only for the reinstatement of both Men’s and Women’s Fencing as varsity teams at Stanford University, but also for College fencing’s future. We thank you for helping us preserve this valued community.

Let your voice be heard and support Stanford Fencing’s reinstatement. Help us petition President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Provost Persis Drell, Director of Athletics Bernard Muir and the Board of Trustees to reinstate Stanford Fencing. 

All who sign, please join our Save Stanford Fencing Facebook page and follow us on IG @savestanfordfencing.

If you want to do more, consider contacting the following people to express your opinion and demand fencing’s reinstatement:

- Bernard Muir, Director of Athletics, 650-723-4596, bmmuir@stanford.edu
- Marc Tessier-Lavigne, President, (650) 723-2481, marctl@stanford.edu
- Persis Drell, Provost, (650) 723-3938, persis@stanford.edu
- Stanford's Board of Trustees