Staten Island Fencing Club finally has a home to call its own

Updated: Jan. 03, 2019, 9:15 p.m. | Published: Dec. 09, 2010, 8:16 p.m.

 

By Stephen Hart | shart@siadvance.com

 

CHARLESTON -- If you don't believe nomadic tribes still exist, then you don't know the history of the Staten Island Fencing Club.

 

During the club's 30 years, its members have zigzagged all across the borough in search of a place to don the lame' and take to the strip – from a church basement and a now-defunct health club to a grammar school gym and a college cafeteria, and several other stops in between.

 

But the quest for stability may finally be at hand.

 

"We finally have a home," beamed club founder and instructor Steve Khinoy, referring to the Staten Island Fencing Center, located in the Taranto Plaza at 4295 Arthur Kill Road. "Hopefully, we make it work, and we're here for the foreseeable future.

 

"From the time I came to Staten Island in 1978, this has been my dream," added Khinoy, the retired College of Staten Island professor and current McKee/Staten Island Tech fencing coach. "I just needed someone like Susan, someone with the same vision, to help accomplish this – along with all the club's senior members, who have been so supportive."

 

The Susan in question is Susan Monardo, who took over the mantle of club president about a decade ago so that Khinoy – a fencer since his college days at Harvard and Johns Hopkins – could concentrate on his role as instructor.

 

Like Khinoy, Ms. Monardo is "very excited to have a place to call our own for the first time."

 

"We started renovation in April and opened in the beginning of June," said Ms. Monardo of the center, which takes up much of the building's first floor. "It's customized for fencing. The floor is newly built; there's a changing room; and a pro shop/armory where we can fix and build blades."

 

Ms. Monardo, who also doubles as instructor for the club's youth fencers, approximates that volunteers – made up primarily of club members – put in about $20,000 worth of labor into the facelift.

 

"It was a tremendous volunteer effort, and it's a tremendous facility dedicated to the fencer," added Khinoy, whose wife, Barbara, lends her fix-it talents to the armory. Khinoy also cited the handiwork of Byron Igoe – father of nationally ranked sabre fencer Ben Igoe of New Brighton – who designed the floor among many contributions.

 

"I think it's terrific," said Dave Setlow of Willowbrook, a member for seven years. "It's big, spacious and has lots of light. There are three strips and one practice strip. It's exactly what we want."

 

The patrons (about 30 members and 20 non-member regulars) are certainly happy with the new digs. But for most of them, as they've proved in the past, they'll fence anywhere.

 

For many, the uniqueness of the sport is a major drawing card.

 

Thirteen-year-old Frederica Bruno of Dongan Hills has already been fencing for six years. "It's such a neat sport and it's so different," said the St. John Villa Academy eighth grader. "Once you do it, you can't back down. It's an individual sport, not a team sport, so it's all on you."

 

When he was 7 years old, Thomas Murray saw an ad for the club. Four years later, the Oakwood resident has won numerous trophies and medals in foil competitions.

 

"When you're in second grade, you usually don't get the opportunity to use a sword," smiled Murray. "For someone that age, it was something really new, the idea of swordfighting.

 

"Fencing sharpens your mental ability – you have to think of what your opponent is going to do next – and you have to be fast on your feet. It's a really fun thing." And for his mother, Karen Murray, fencing has an economic appeal.

 

"It's a misconception that this is an expensive sport. You might need a new weapon every so often, and that's only about $40," she said. "It's reasonable. I've heard from hockey parents that they pay about five times as much."

 

According to Ms. Monardo, "for between $265-$285, you'll have everything you need to fence. And the first visit comes with a free lesson, and we loan the equipment for beginner classes."

 

Once you're ready to commit, membership cost is $400 for the year, which includes numerous extras including discounts on equipment, equipment repairs and private lessons.

 

That investment could pay off not only in enjoyment but in a possible college scholarship for some of the club's teen members.

 

"I'm looking at Rutgers, Penn State, Sacred Heart and UMass," said 17-year-old Evan Arbeitman of Rossville, who – after only three years with the sport – recently finished second in the PSAL city individuals in the epee competition representing Tottenville HS.

 

Tottenville resident Seika Robinson became interested in the sport after talking with LaGuardia High School fencers. The 16-year-old junior is now a LaGuardia starting fencer who is looking into colleges with fencing programs.

 

"I hadn't really heard of it before. But it's fast-paced and interesting," said the foil fencer, who now finds herself trying to recruit classmates for the team. For the 54-year-old Setlow, however, fencing represents the past – not the future.

 

"It's sort of like living out a fantasy," said Setlow, who, like many, are fans of swordfighting movies. "It's as close to it as I'll get."

 

But for the 69-year-old Khinoy – who'll return to competitive fencing next July at the USA National Fencing Championships in Reno, Nev., in the 70-plus age division – the fantasy of a permanent home for the club is now a reality.•