Scott Tunderman has coached fencing at Smith for over 20 years (since 1997!) and has been fencing since he joined his own collegiate team as an undergrad at Hampshire College. In his first years coaching at Smith, he built up the program from a handful of “junior varsity” fencers to a thriving team with over twenty members, and the team has continued to grow and prosper with his guidance ever since.
Scott was nominated for 1998-1999 Coach of the Year in the Northeast Fencing Conference in recognition of the strong growth of the Smith program and his leadership in the development of women’s sabre. He is a certified Moniteur d’Armes with the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association and continues to develop his coaching expertise through clinics and on-going study. In 2016, Scott became the President of the United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs Board and continues to hold the position today.
In 2000, Scott opened the Northampton Fencing Center in response to the growing demand for a place for the broader public to fence. Now known as Riverside Fencing Club, the club is today home to national title-winning fencers and several athletes on Team USA. Scott also coached fencing at Mount Holyoke College from 2007 to 2015 and at Hampshire College from 1992 to 1996 and from 2008 to 2013.
Scott leads our practices, offers private lessons, and coaches us at away meets. The driving force behind Hell’s Belles, we are proud to have him as a coach and he is a valued member of the greater Smith College Club Sports community.