Coaches
Elsayed Emara
Coach Emara is our Epee, Foil and Sabre Head Coach. Emara is a member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association. Emara began fencing at the age of 13 at the Alexandria Fencing Club in Egypt. He was also a 7-year member of the Egyptian National Fencing team and competed in many national and international tournament. He is highly experienced and has been coaching for over 15 years.
- La Touche Fencing Club,
Head Epee and Foil Coach, 2004 - Salle Mauro Fencing Center,
Epee Head Coach, Foil Assistant Coach, 1999-2003 - Rice University,
Epee and Foil Assistant Coach, 1999-2000 - United Fencing Center,
Head Epee and Foil Coach, 1998-1999 - St. Mark’s School,
Head Foil and Epee Coach, 1998-1999 - Hockaday School,
Head Foil and Epee Coach, 1998-1999 - Lone Star Fencing Center,
Assistant Epee, Foil and Saber Coach, 1995-1998
- United States Fencing Coaches Association, Moniteur(Epee, Foil, Sabre), 2007
- United States Fencing Association, 1995
- Federation Francaise D’escrime, 1993
- Federation Royale Marocaine D’escrime, 1993
- Federation Francaise D’escrime, 1988
Travis Fox
Travis Fox is a USFCA/AAI certified Moniteur d'Armes (2009) in Foil and Epee. Coach Fox is an Assistant Head Coach at PFA. Coach Fox began fencing December 2005 and has fallen in love with this sport ever since. Over the past few months, he has taken it to the next level and has competed in many tournaments with USFA. Coach Travis is also an experienced horse-riding instructor. He breaks and trains horses and regularly conducts shows in and around Illinois. Coach Travis teaches beginner and intermediate classes. He has a great rapport with kids.
Matt Maughan
Matt Maughan is a USFA/AAI certified Moniteur d'Armes(2009) in Foil and Epee and is an Assistant Head Coach at PFA. Matt started fencing in Illinois Central College in 2006 and devoted his time to learn about the sport. Coach Matt has a natural talent for interacting with and teaching the sport to young fencers.
Dr. Chris McCarthy
Dr. McCarthy is a USFA/AAI certified Moniteur d'Armes(2009) in Foil and Epee. He started fencing in 2007 at Peoria Fencing Academy. Dr. McCarthy has competed in many USFA Tournaments and has also devoted his time to teaching fencing classes and to providing complete armory services for all three weapons.
Liz Mayerich
Liz Mayerich is a USFA/AAI certified Moniteur d'Armes in Foil and Epee (2009). She started fencing in 2002 as a student at Texas A&M University and was an officer and active fencer. In 2005 she joined Salle Mauro Fencing Academy in Houston, TX, as a fencer and as one of the coaches for their youth fencing program. In 2009 she moved to Illinois and joined the Peoria Fencing Academy staff. She is also the head youth coach at the Point Fencing Club and School in Champaign,IL and a certified Epee referee.
