PASO Coaching Conference Staff Coaches
FOIL: HEAD COACH - BUCKIE LEACH, ASSISTANT COACH - BREDEN RICHARD
Buckie Leach
Buckie's remarkable success with the Rochester Fencing Center garnered worldwide attention. He was the first to produce an American World Champion, and was an Olympic Coach in 1996 and 2000. With fencers winning over 20 medals in Junior and Senior World Cup Events as well as numerous National and NCAA championships, he has redefined the standard of successful performance in the United States.
Notable students:
Ann Marsh - 1992, 1996 (6th place) and 2000 US Olympic Team, 1994 and 1995 National Champion.
Jacqueline Leahy - finalist at 2002 Cadet World Championships, 2001 & 2002 Junior Olympic Champion.
Felicia Zimmermann - Bronze Medalist 2001 World Championship Team, 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2000 US National Champion, 1996 and 2000 US Olympic Team, Junior World Cup Champion.
Iris Zimmermann - 1995 and 1997 Cadet, and 2000 Junior World Champion, Bronze Medalist 1999 World Championships, 2000 US Olympic Team, Bronze Medal 2001 World Championship Team, 2003 National Champion.
Josh McGuire - Gold Medalist 2000 Cadet World Championships.
Brenden Richard
Brenden Richard is Head Coach and President of the South Coast Fencing Center. Brenden ran the fencing program at UC, Irvine for 8 years before opening Reál Fencing in 1999 to better serve Orange County and the surrounding areas. Since then, the center has grown to over 150 fencers and changed its name to the South Coast Fencing Center (SCFC).
Brenden began his training in southern California in 1991 before joining the UEA british collegiate team in 1993. Continuing to head the UC, Irvine program in the mid-90's, he later returned to Europe for additional trainining. In 2001, Brenden moved to Madrid, Spain, to train with their Olympic team for 5 months. During this time, Brenden also traveled to Holland to study under 3-time World Champion Sergei Golubitski.
In addition to his time in Europe, Brenden is certified by the United States Coaches College (USCC) as a fencing instructor and continues to return to Colorado Springs each year for additional training. He is a lifetime member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association.
Brenden is also a member of the United States Fencing Officials and is an active referee at the National level, having officiated in many North America Cups (NACs) and National Championships. He holds a national Referee rating in both foil and épée.
In addition to his coaching and refereeing responsibilities, Brenden is currently serving as the Regional Youth Coordinator for the United States Fencing Association (USFA) for southern California, Nevada and Hawaii. He is tasked with developing and overseeing regional youth competitions in the southwest.
Brenden's coaches include Sergei Golubitski, Jesús Esperanza, Daniel Costin, Ed Richards, Al Couturier, and Sud Deland.
SABER: HEAD COACH - ANDY MA, ASSISTANT COACH - TBD
Andy Ma
Since 1994 Andy Y. Ma has been the President and Head Coach at FASJ. A member of China's 1988 Olympic team, he previously coached fencing at the University of Pennsylvania and at Beijing University of Physical Education in China. While in Beijing he developed China's Junior National Saber Champion, who participated in the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He has a Master's degree in Sport Psychology from Ohio State University.He produced seven U.S. World championship team members with one world champion and four U.S. National champions from FASJ. Mr. Ma was selected Development coach of the year in 2005. and also is President of the USFA South Jersey Division.
Besides coaching fencing, Mr. Ma also teaches tai chi and Ping Pong. He teaches both Yang and Chen styles, and hand, sword, and fan forms.
