USA Fencing All-Academic Team Program Information

Mission Statement

Recognizing and rewarding academic achievement in junior fencers is paramount to the success of USA Fencing.

The Junior Program is designed to provide a training ground for the development of young athletes. While physical development is obviously important, the program must also stress development of values, morals and social skills, which will remain with these future citizens all their lives.

Encouraging a high level of academic achievement in our young athletes is as important as encouraging their athletic achievement. Motivation for this achievement, while intrinsically driven, can be enhanced through recognition by USA Fencing.

USA Fencing has therefore established the following Academic All-American Recognition Award Program to be presented annually at the Summer Nationals Championship.

Program

There are three program levels open to all students enrolled in an accredited high school program. Home schooled athletes are also eligible.

1. Athletes do not have to qualify to Junior Olympics or Summer Nationals to be eligible.
2. First Team USA Fencing All-Academic Team - students with a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher shall be named "First Team USA Fencing Academic All-American".
3. Second Team USA Fencing All-Academic Team - students who demonstrate the scholastic ability to post a cumulative GPA of 3.7 to 3.84 shall be named "Second Team USA Fencing Academic All-American".
4. Honorable Mention USA Fencing All-Academic Team - students who demonstrate the scholastic ability to post a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.69 shall be named "Honorable Mention USA Fencing Academic All-American".

Application Procedure and Deadline

1. A minimum of two letters of recommendation and an essay are required to receive this recognition. One letter must be from the athlete's personal or high school coach and the second letter must be from one of the student’s high school teachers, the high school counselor or principal. In lieu of a school recommendation letter, a letter may be submitted from an individual who is familiar with the student's academic performance, who may or may not be a member of a school staff. The essay should be written by the athlete.
2. The applicant’s GPA must be certified by the school counselor and should appear on the application, in all cases, converted to a 4.0 scale.
3. The required application, recommendation letters and certification must be submitted to USA Fencing by May 13, 2011, with a $35.00 per athlete processing fee. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
4. Appropriate forms are available from USA Fencing website.

 For more information please email info@usfencing.org

USA Fencing All-Academic Team FAQ

What is the program?

USA Fencing High School Academic All-American Program is a means to recognize the academic      achievements of our high school-aged athletes.  USA Fencing has many members who excel in the classroom, as well as on the strip.  This program is designed to help highlight the importance of such accomplishments and that, while physical development is important, a solid academic background that    will remain with our athletes for the rest of their lives is even more so.

Is there a scholarship associated with this program?

Yes! For the 2010-2011 Season, Absolute Fencing Gear has pledged a scholarship for one male and one female participant in this program. More information on this scholarship will be posted on the USA Fencing website in October 2010.

My high school uses a scale other than 4.0 for GPA calculations.  Is that okay?

All GPAs must be converted to a 4.0 scale before being used for calculating the recognition earned through this program.  This conversion must be certified by the athlete’s school counselor.

What is the deadline?

All application materials, including the application form, fee, biographical sketch, and letters of recommendation must be submitted to USA Fencing by May 13, 2011. Award recipients will be recognized at the time of the Summer Nationals Championship in July of each year.

Do I need to qualify for Junior Olympics to be named to an Academic All-American Team?

No.  All high school-aged members of USA Fencing are eligible to receive recognition for their academic achievements.

I’m home schooled or attending a non-traditional school.  Can I still qualify for this program?

Yes. USA Fencing will require a letter or email, in addition to the application form, from the accrediting agency for the home school program that verifies that the athlete is a participant and attesting to the accuracy of the grade point average.  USA Fencing also will require the accrediting agency or parent to convert all GPA’s to a 4.0 scale. Because students who are home-schooled may not have a grade-point average that can be verified by an outside organization, they may submit alternate evidence of their academic performance, such as official scores on a state assessment or recognized college entrance examination.

Do grades earned before high school count?

Only courses taken in High School should be reported as a part of the cumulative GPA used for this program.

Do all classes taken in high school count?

Yes.

I’ve never heard about these awards before.  Are they new?

Yes.  USA Fencing introduced this program for the first time in the 2009-2010 fencing season.