Club Legacy: MEET THE MAESTRO

Leslaw Stawicki is one of the most decorated fencing masters in the world. Known affectionately as "Maestro" or "Leszek," his career spans over five decades, shaping champions on two continents and revolutionizing the sport of parafencing in the United States.

European Foundations & Olympic Success

Maestro Stawicki’s journey began in Poland, where he studied at the prestigious Academy of Physical Education (AWF) in Poznań. A world-class sabreur, he trained under the legendary János Kevey, the master who redefined the Polish school of fencing. 

Before coming to America, Stawicki established himself as a premier international coach:

• Ukrainian National Sabre Team (1968–1972): Recruited to lead the Ukrainian program, he coached icons such as four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Sidjak and World Champion Sergey Prichodko.
• Polish National Sabre Team (1973–1990): For nearly two decades, he led the Polish national program, mentoring Olympic silver medalists Ludomir Chronowski and Janusz Olech 

The Move to Louisville

In 1991, Maestro Stawicki was personally recruited to relocate to the United States by Michael Massik (former chairman of the Louisville Fencing Center and later the longtime Executive Director of USA Fencing) to help develop a national coaching education program in the United States.

After participating in the inaugural USFA Coaches College at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Massik recognized that Stawicki’s world-class pedigree was the key to establishing a high-performance fencing destination in Kentucky.

After accepting the invitation to develop a program in Kentucky, Maestro moved to Louisville and founded the Louisville Fencing Center (LFC) in 1992.

A Legacy of "Integrated" Excellence 

Maestro Stawicki’s most enduring contribution is his "integrated" training philosophy. Under his direction, LFC became a pioneer in training wheelchair fencers alongside able-bodied athletes on the same strips. This approach turned Louisville into a powerhouse, producing:

• Over 17 National Championship Titles across Youth, Cadet, Junior, Senior, and Veteran categories.
• Multiple World Championship and Paralympic medals.
• Successful athletes such as Curtis Lovejoy, Susan Benson, Terri Cecil-Ramsey, Sean Shumate, and Cat Bouwkamp.

The Father of Parafencing

Beyond our club, Maestro Stawicki served as the U.S. Paralympic Head Coach for 24 years, leading Team USA through six consecutive Games:

• Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.

His foundational work earned him the title "Father of Parafencing" and an induction into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame in 2016.

Honors & Retirement

In 2023, Maestro Stawicki officially retired from full-time coaching at the Louisville Fencing Center. His legacy is honored through numerous accolades:

• USA Fencing Hall of Fame (2016)
• Ray Miller Award (2011) for outstanding service to the sport.
• The Leszek “Maestro” Stawicki Parafencing Award, established by USA Fencing in 2022 to recognize excellence in athlete development.

Maestro Stawicki currently resides in Easton, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Lucy. He remains an active mentor and technical advisor to the Louisville Fencing Center, providing remote guidance to ensure the standards of excellence he established in 1992 continue for generations to come.

Today, Maestro Stawicki remains the patron of the Louisville Fencing Center, ensuring that his standards of discipline, technical mastery, and inclusive spirit continue to inspire every fencer who steps onto our strips.