A Lasting Legacy: Support Empire United Fencing to Build a Permanent Home
A Message from Greg Chang
My name is Greg Chang. I’m a radiologist, and I was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Fencing Team. I’ve known Sean McClain, the head coach of Empire United Fencing, since we were 12 years old. We grew up together as friends and competitors.
Those of us from that fencing era were in awe of Sean as an athlete – an individual NCAA Champion at Stanford and two-time U.S. National Champion. We believed he represented the future of American fencing.
Little did we know that his greatest impact on American fencing would occur after he retired as an athlete and became a coach.
Sean created Empire United Fencing in 2007, along with Jed Dupree, one of my 2004 Olympic teammates. Over the last two decades, Sean has passed his knowledge on to generations of fencers. Year after year, his fencers have achieved success on the local, national, and largest global stages. This includes Lauren Scruggs, a recent Harvard graduate who is the reigning Olympic Team Champion and Individual Silver medalist in women’s foil.
However, more important than creating talented fencers, by creating EUF, Sean built a community – one that has helped individuals chase their dreams and become their best selves. It’s a community that has supported its members through ups and downs, taught discipline and integrity, and helped people reach their full potential both on and off the strip to positively impact the world.
Empire United Fencing: A Labor of Love and the Opportunity to Build a Permanent Home for the Future
EUF has been a labor of love for Sean. From its first location on 30th Street and 7th Avenue in 2007, to Jersey City, to shared spaces, to its current temporary location on 28th Street, Sean has always found a way to keep the spirit of the club and the EUF community alive, even when times were tough.
EUF is being led into the future by Sean, Coach Adam Mathieu, and Coach Mikhail Petin. Adam, who was coached by Sean since childhood, became an NCAA Champion at Columbia and individual National Champion, and he has stood atop World Cup podiums as a member of Team USA. Mikhail, who I have known for 30 years, has personally developed World Championship and Olympic medalists starting from individuals who walked into a fencing club in New York City for the first time. This team of coaches combined with their experience and dedication to their students cannot be matched.
There is a unique opportunity now to build a permanent home for EUF in midtown Manhattan – a place where the current generation of fencers can train together consistently, where kids can grow confidently as fencers and people, and where a community can set down its roots for future generations.
Our Goal of $150,000 and How You Can Help
Our goal is to raise $150,000 to help build the permanent home of EUF. These funds will be used to transform a raw, but promising space into the future club where a devoted community of fencers and parents can come together and thrive.
If your life has been touched by EUF or if you are part of the broader fencing community and understand this story, please consider donating to and informing others of this worthy cause.
With great appreciation, thank you for your support.
From the Empire United Team:
Construction on EUF's permanent home at 22 w32nd st begins June 1st, and the space will be ready for fencers by August 15th, in time for the fall season.
The lease is signed and our plans are drawn. What we need now is the community that has always shown up for each other to show up one more time.
If you are reading this, there is a good chance this community gave something lasting to someone you love. Now is the chance to give that same gift to the next generation of EUF fencers.
Where your donation goes
We want to be fully transparent about how these funds will be used. Every dollar raised goes directly into transforming this raw space into a world-class permanent training facility.
Electrical work and lighting
$40,000
Flooring
$43,000
14 competition fencing strips
$21,000
Bathroom renovation
$20,000
Lobby, Study Room and Parent Room
$20,000
Total goal
$150,000
Please donate today. Share this page with anyone who has ever worn an EUF jacket, competed on one of our strips, or cheered from our bleachers. Construction begins June 1st. Every dollar raised before then becomes part of what we build together.
With deep gratitude for everything this community has given and everything it is about to become.