BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Long Island University President Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, in conjunction with LIU Director of Athletics, Dr. William E. Martinov Jr., today announced the addition of a men's fencing program to their athletics department, with immediate recruitment and competition beginning in 2022-23.
 
Current women's fencing head coach Ivan Lee will be elevated to Head Men's and Women's Fencing Coach, and has hired Dwight Smith as a full-time assistant coach for both teams.
 
With the addition of men's fencing, the LIU program is now eligible to compete for an NCAA team championship. While the Sharks have been able to compete as individuals for NCAA championships in their weapons, since 1990, NCAA team championships in fencing have been awarded as a co-ed sport.
 
"It's exciting to bring the sport of men's fencing to our Shark athletics family," Dr. Martinov said. "Our women's program has shown the highest level of success winning an individual national championship and three All-Americans in 2021. We feel that our new men's team will be just as successful under the leadership of our coach, Ivan Lee. Coach Lee continues to bring his successful coaching and competitor experience that will guide both our women's and men's program toward national prominence."
 
Lee, a USA Fencing Hall of Famer, is a world champion and Olympian in his own right. Collegiately, he won two individual NCAA championships in sabre, and led St. John's to a team NCAA title in 2001. In his time as head coach for the Sharks, he produced LIU's first-ever national champion, Laura Fekete, and the program's first three All-Americans, Fekete, Chejsa-Kaili Seck and Anna Szántay.

"It is an absolute honor and privilege to lead this group of women and men," Lee said. "We are looking forward to building a legendary program here. I'm really excited to have Coach Dwight Smith on board. He is a rising star in this sport, and I can't think of anyone better to help create a powerhouse here in Brooklyn. It is indeed a great day to be a Shark!"
 
Smith, who is still fencing professionally, was a three-time All-American while at Columbia, and a four-time National Team member. In 2021, he was an Olympic alternate for USA fencing, and traveled with the team as a training partner to Tokyo. He has medaled at multiple national championships, including a silver in 2015, and bronze at the 2019 North America Cup Olympic qualifier. He has also coached fencing in New York City with the Peter Westbrook Foundation, and is a member of the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice.
 
Potential future student-athletes are encouraged to fill out this questionnaire to connect with our coaching staff regarding opportunities to become a Shark.
 
LIU is home to an exceptional Division I athletics program, fielding 37 athletics teams on two campuses. LIU's NCAA Division I program builds on a foundation of excellence and tradition. In LIU's history, its teams have combined for 23 national championships, 220 conference championships, and 379 All-Americans.
 
About Long Island University
LIU, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education through innovative programs, prestigious faculty, experiential learning opportunities, and cutting-edge research. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best National University, and Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning, LIU offers more than 350 academic programs, with a network of over 265,000 alumni including industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.