Mike Brown

The "Mike Brown Award" is named for Michael Brown, who was chair of the Capitol Division from 2005 to 2007. An epeeist, Mike coached the epee squad at UMCP during the early 2000s and assisted the team in transitioning from a purely recreational club to a more competitive club within both the USFA and the NCAA. As chair of the Capitol Division, Mike helped make the annual Cherry Blossom Open into a major event and was honored by the Capitol Division with the "Arrogant Bully Award" for his efforts.

Mike passed away on August 24, 2007, after losing a fight with cancer. In his honor, the Capitol Division created the "Mike Brown Award", a 1-year competitive membership in the Capitol Division of the US Fencing Association, to recognize his insistence on greater accountability in the conduct of meets and his support for upgrading the quality of the referees for all tournaments. The "Mike Brown Award" is awarded annually to the most promising fencer at the University of Maryland.

Award nominations should be made by the University of Maryland fencing team directly to the Executive Committee or the Chair.

Award Criteria

The Mike Brown Award is given annually to the “most promising new fencer” at the University of Maryland, College Park campus. It is given by the Capitol Division at the discretion of the Executive Committee, but the recipient should normally be nominated by a committee comprising the officers of the fencing club at the University of Maryland (with input from their coaches).

The division suggests that the term “new fencer” should normally be construed as a fencer who is new to fencing; however, an experienced fencer who is new to the University of Maryland may also be considered. To ensure that the nomination is based on a sufficient record of performance, nominations for a given season should not be made until at least four weeks into the second semester but at least one week before the Cherry Blossom Open.

“Promising” should be interpreted as showing potential for excellence as a fencer. Enthusiasm for the sport and team leadership should be considered as well.

Other factors to consider include the following:

  • sportsmanship

  • leadership

  • skill as a fencer

  • degree of improvement

  • attendance at team events and at practice

  • helping to plan, promote, or organize events that build the club

  • willingness to teach less skilled fencers

  • willingness to direct, especially in foil and saber

  • skill and knowledge as a referee

  • support for events (when not fencing)

  • service as an armorer