patron coach
Leslaw J. Stawicki
Patron and Former Head Coach
- Former Head Coach of the Ukrainian Saber Team
- Head Coach of the Polish National and Olympic Teams from 1972-1990.
- Over seventeen of Maestro Stawicki’s students, from the Louisville Fencing Center, have become National Champions in Youth, Cadet, Veteran and Wheelchair fencing
- USA Head Coach for Olympic Wheelchair fencing from 1996 to 2016
- 2016, inducted
Program Coaches
Head Coach Dawn Wilson, Saber
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Head Coach Dawn J. Wilson is a distinguished 2-time Veteran Women's Saber Champion (2014 and 2015) and a 2-time member of the US Veteran Fencing World Championship team (2017, 2018). She has been coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2014, bringing over six years of experience to her students. Dawn joined LFC in 2004 and served
Head Coach Dawn J. Wilson is a distinguished 2-time Veteran Women's Saber Champion (2014 and 2015) and a 2-time member of the US Veteran Fencing World Championship team (2017, 2018). She has been coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2014, bringing over six years of experience to her students. Dawn joined LFC in 2004 and served as Secretary on the board of the US Fencing Association's Kentucky Division from 2006 to 2008. Since 2013, she has been the Kentucky Division Chair, actively promoting fencing across the Commonwealth.
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Jim Martin is a Moniteur d’Armes (Level 3 Fencing Coach) with over a decade of experience coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center, where he has been guiding students since 2012. In addition to his coaching, Jim plays a vital role in the broader fencing community, serving on the USFA Safe Sport Resources Team and the USFA Disciplinary B
Jim Martin is a Moniteur d’Armes (Level 3 Fencing Coach) with over a decade of experience coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center, where he has been guiding students since 2012. In addition to his coaching, Jim plays a vital role in the broader fencing community, serving on the USFA Safe Sport Resources Team and the USFA Disciplinary Board. Since 2021, he has also been an officer for the USFA Kentucky Fencing Division, contributing to the development and safety of the sport at the state and national levels.
Coach Jacek Biesiada, Foil
Jim Martin, Moniteur d'Arms Coach Epee
Coach Jacek Biesiada, Foil
Coach Biesiada has been shaping the talents of young fencers since 2018. Trained under the esteemed Maestro Leslaw Stawicki as both a saber fencer and foil teacher, Jacek's coaching approach is grounded in technical excellence and a deep understanding of the sport, as demonstrated by one of his saber students achieving third place in bot
Coach Biesiada has been shaping the talents of young fencers since 2018. Trained under the esteemed Maestro Leslaw Stawicki as both a saber fencer and foil teacher, Jacek's coaching approach is grounded in technical excellence and a deep understanding of the sport, as demonstrated by one of his saber students achieving third place in both the Y12 and Y14 Women's Saber categories in 2024.
In addition to his coaching duties in Louisville, Jacek is the founder and manager of the Louisville Fencing Center's Cincinnati Satellite Program, expanding access to high-quality fencing training in the region.
associate coaches
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Coach Kent recently achieved the Prévôt D'Epee, Level 4 coach, a coaching rank just below Fencing Master. This certifies proficiency in training fencers of all levels - from national competitors to beginners - and mentoring aspiring coaches. A B-rated epee fencer and former high-level foil competitor, Coach Kent brings extensive competit
Coach Kent recently achieved the Prévôt D'Epee, Level 4 coach, a coaching rank just below Fencing Master. This certifies proficiency in training fencers of all levels - from national competitors to beginners - and mentoring aspiring coaches. A B-rated epee fencer and former high-level foil competitor, Coach Kent brings extensive competitive experience to coaching.
The coaching journey began in 1992 at US Fencings Coaches College, learning from Ed Richards and Maestro Alex Beguinet, and then training under Maestro Gene Gettler in Atlanta. After an initial missed opportunity for further growth, Coach Kent's dedication was rekindled through intensive study and direct supervision under Maestro Les Stawicki over the last three years, leading to his USFCA certification. This milestone reinforces Coach Kent's commitment to fostering continuous learning and improvement in all students.
Dirk Martin, Moniteur D'Arms
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Dirk is a USFCA certified Moniteur d’Armes (Level 3 Fencing Coach) who has been coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2012. He also works with after-school fencing programs, LFC Fencing Camps, and the Oldham County Fencing Program.
Tom Monarch, Saber & Foil
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Tom Monarch, Saber & Foil
Coach Monarch began his fencing journey in 2003, competing regionally and nationally in foil and saber for six years. He fenced for the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University’s collegiate teams. In 2012, Tom transitioned to coaching under Maestro Stawicki, leading children’s groups in local after-school programs. At the Lo
Coach Monarch began his fencing journey in 2003, competing regionally and nationally in foil and saber for six years. He fenced for the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University’s collegiate teams. In 2012, Tom transitioned to coaching under Maestro Stawicki, leading children’s groups in local after-school programs. At the Louisville Fencing Center, Tom teaches saber and foil, while also providing individual lessons in saber.
Matthew Kent
Dwain Kent - Prévôt D'Épée Coach, Foil & Epee
Tom Monarch, Saber & Foil
Matthew has been coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2022, working with several after-school fencing programs and LFC Fencing Camps.