Meet Coach James
Coach
Bay Area Fencing Club is proud to feature Coach James, an accomplished fencing instructor who perfectly blends a lifetime of competitive experience with an elite professional background. Joining BAFC in May of 2025, Coach James leverages his deep strategic understanding of the sport to develop and elevate our next tier of competitive athletes.
A Lifelong Commitment to the Strip
Coach James brings over 30 years of fencing experience to our training halls, having been deeply involved in the sport since his collegiate days. His notable background includes:
- Serving as the Santa Clara University Fencing Club President from 1988–1989.
- Earning his official credential as a certified Moniteur d'Epee.
- Maintaining active USA Fencing (USFA) coach certification while currently working toward his advanced Prevost certification.
- Deeply understanding the developmental pipeline, making him the perfect mentor to transition intermediate fencers into advanced competitors.
Coaching Philosophy
With advanced degrees in both the human mind and analytical systems, Coach James approaches fencing as a highly tactical discipline. His coaching style focuses on:
The Mental Game
Utilizing his specialized psychological background to help fencers build focus, emotional resilience, and sharp decision-making under pressure.
Systematic Problem Solving
Breaking down complex tactical sequences into clear, structured movements that athletes can easily digest and execute.
Dual-Weapon Precision
Fostering versatility and strong fundamental mechanics as our primary intermediate coach for both foil and epee.
Academic & Professional Distinction
Mirroring BAFC's commitment to developing brilliant scholar-athletes, Coach James represents the pinnacle of balancing athletics with high-level academic and professional success. He holds:
- A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from Santa Clara University.
- A Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Santa Clara University.
- A Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.
- A distinguished, recently completed corporate career as a retired executive in the high-tech cybersecurity field.
"Fencing is an exquisite puzzle where physical execution meets rapid psychological strategy. My goal is to equip intermediate fencers with the structural technical skills and mental fortitude they need to outsmart any opponent on the strip."— Coach James