Coaches

Leslaw J. Stawicki

Maestro Stawicki is the former Head Coach of the Ukrainian Saber Team and served as the Head Coach of the Polish National and Olympic Teams from 1972-1990. Born in Lvov, Poland, Maestro has received many prestigious titles, including “Eminent Coach of the Republic” from the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Poland.

In 1992, Maestro accepted an invitation to create and develop a world-class, international fencing center in Louisville, KY. Seventeen athletes from the Louisville Fencing Center have become National Champions in Youth, Cadet, Veteran and Wheelchair fencing. Currently, Maestro is the USA Head Coach for Olympic Wheelchair fencing and continues to develop and inspire the next generation of competitive fencers.

Some of his students include:

• Maestro Ed Korfanty, Coach of 2 times Olympic Gold Medalist Mariel Zagunis
• Serge Prichodko 1970 World Champion
• Victor Sidiak, 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist, Munich
• Ludomir Chronowsi, 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist, Moscow
• Janusz Olech, 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist, Seoul
• Terri Cecil-Ramsey, 4th in Epee at the Atlanta Paralympics, 1996

Dawn Wilson (Assistant Coach and USFA Kentucky Division Chair)

Dawn J. Wilson is a 2x Veteran women Saber Champion (2014 and 2015) and a 2x member of the US Veteran Fencing World Championship team (2017,2018) who has been coaching students at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2014. (6+ years). She joined LFC in 2004, and joined the board of the United States Fencing Association’s Kentucky Division as secretary from 2006 to 2008. She presently serves as Kentucky Division Chair since 2013, promoting fencing throughout the Commonwealth. Coaching under Maestro Les Stawicki, she has taught after – school and community center programs at LFC, teaching Saber and assisting with introductory Foil and Epee, while also providing individual lessons. Dawn has also worked with wheelchair students.

Jim Martin (M.S. Moniteur d’Armes)

Jim has been coaching students at the Louisville Fencing Center since 2012. Jim assists Maestro Stawicki with classes at LFC, runs several after school fencing programs and supervises the Oldham County Fencing Program. Jim holds a masters degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Louisville

Tom Monarch (M.S. Moniteur d’Armes)

Tom Monarch began fencing in 2003 and competed both regionally and nationally for six years in foil and saber. Tom has fenced for the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University’s collegiate teams. In 2012, Tom turned to coaching under Maestro Stawicki and led children’s groups in the local after school programs. At the Louisville Fencing Center, Tom teaches Saber and introductory Foil and Epee while also providing individual lessons in Saber and Epee. Tom Also provides armory services as needed under LFC Armorer Mike Reynolds.