South Coast Fencing Center

Mary Rafanelli began her fencing career at Stevens Institute of Technology under coach Linda Vollkommer. She fenced on the Stevens foil squad for her four years at the institution, and served as the fencing team’s captain her senior year. That year was the first in which women’s fencing was an NCAA-national-championship event, and under Mary’s leadership, Stevens’ team qualified to the national championship. Although the fencers from Stevens represented a Division-III school and were competing against several Division-I schools with far greater resources, they finished 6^th at the national championship tournament.

After a several-year hiatus, Mary returned to fencing as a customer and student at South Coast Fencing Center, where she eventually became Front Office Manager. Her responsibilities include customer relations, sales and records management, weapon repair, and occasional teaching duties. On any given day, Mary can be found working in SCFC’s armory, helping customers, or at the front desk ready to greet patrons with a smile.