About Us

About Us – STL Fencing Club

At STL Fencing Club, fencing isn’t just a sport — it’s a place where individuals can grow, develop confidence, and belong. We welcome fencers of all ages and skill levels, from first-timers to seasoned competitors, and provide an environment where each student can progress at their own pace.

Head Coach Tran Nguyen has been fencing for over 20 years, beginning his journey at DeSmet Jesuit High School. Unlike traditional team sports, fencing allowed him to thrive by working independently, building decision-making skills, and developing self-awareness.

In 2008, Tran founded the Saint Louis University Fencing Club. He returned in 2012 to serve as Head Coach, leading the program for more than a decade and introducing countless athletes to the sport.

In 2024, Tran brought his expertise to the Paris Olympics as the personal armorer for Canadian Olympian Eleanor Harvey, who won the Bronze Medal. This role provided him with firsthand insight into the preparation, precision, and mindset required at the sport’s highest level — experience he now brings to STL Fencing Club, which he opened in 2023.

Today, Tran coaches with the same passion that first drew him to the sport, sharing fencing with the next generation and helping every fencer discover their own path to success.