The Point Fencing Club & School was established in 2004 to spread the joy of fencing to beginners and to help good fencers get better.

The club was started by an array of volunteers, mostly college students and some professors from the U of I and Parkland, including international members.

Rebecca Schneider and Michael Vitoux provided direction as the Club started up. Before moving the club to the 500 N Walnut address, the Fencing Illini Club practiced and competed at the Armory on the U of I campus.  Sharing this facility became problematic during the busy winter months, and another space was sought to start the Point Fencing Club & School in 2004, when space became available in the 500 N Walnut facility. In 2020 the Point moved to a much larger location at 401. N Vine in Urbana.

• Martin Bohn Board President

  Martin wished he had started fencing as a Cavalier, but instead he began his “fencing career” as a Veteran.  He joined the Point Fencing Club in 2006 and developed into a competitive foil and epee fencer.  Martin competes regionally and nationally and is ranked in both weapons.

• Michael Vitoux Board Treasurer and Club Founder

  Michael is the Founder of The Point Fencing Club & School, and currently serves as Board Vice President and Treasurer. He was on the 1966 Illinois Big Ten Championship team and competed in Epee for the 1968 Illinois Big Ten Championship team. Michael has competed at the state, national and international levels for the past 30 years, and is a rated fencer in Foil and Epee--and competes in sabre as well.   Michael teaches the Beginners Plus classes which support continuing students who have taken the beginning foil class at The Point.

• Michel Bellini Board Secretary

• Ann Swanson Club Manager

• Judy Van Cleeff Club Armorer & Director of Competitions

  Judy serves as the club armorer charged with maintaining the club equipment and all electrical components needed for the competition. She is also the Director of Competitions; coordinating all aspects of our local competitions. Judy is an avid foil fencer and assists with some adult class instruction.

Cavaliers

• Jack Hou

• Rick Mouche

• Ann Swanson

Adults

• Martin Bohn

• Judy Van Cleeff

• Michael Vitoux

• Michele Bellini

The Point Fencing Club & School has made National Fencing Club Rankings Honor Roll for “Best Fencing Clubs”.

This year NFCR has greatly expanded their rankings to include the comparative performance between U.S. clubs in the European Cadet Circuit, Junior World Cup and the Senior World Cup, which includes World Cups, Grand Prix, and the Senior World Championships.

The Point Fencing Club & School National & State Rankings:

• # 31 Veteran Men's Saber Top 16 Placements

• # 37T Veteran Men's Saber Top 8 Medal Points

• # 59T Veteran Men's Epee Top 16 Placements

• # 1 Illinois Veteran Men's Saber Top 16 Placements

• # 3 Illinois Veteran Men's Saber Top 8 Medal Points

• # 4 Illinois Veteran Men's Epee Top 16 Placements