Coach Info

Head coach Alex Beguinet will enter his 38th season at the helm of the Duke program in 2023. Beguinet has compiled a 778-570 (.576) overall record in his 37 years with the Blue Devils and has coached two NCAA Champions.

In Beguinet’s time at Duke, the women’s program has compiled a 367-320 record under his direction and produced one three-time NCAA Champion and 15 All-Americans, while the men’s program has posted a 411-250 mark with 27 All-Americans and one NCAA Champion. Beguinet has helped Blue Devil fencers reach the NCAA Fencing Championships in 36 of his 37 years while sending over 100 participants to the national championships.

Beguinet mentored one of the most successful fencers in NCAA history in three-time NCAA Saber Champion Becca Ward. Ward, who won the bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, reached the NCAA Championship match in each of her four seasons. She won the 2009, 2011 and 2012 NCAA titles while finishing as runner-up in 2010. Beguinet also mentored 2007 Duke graduate Ibtihaj Muhammad. Muhammad, who won bronze in women’s team saber at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, was a three-time All-American and finished her college career ranked 15th nationally among senior women’s saber.

Beguinet served at US Fencing’s annual summer Junior Olympic Training Camps as a staff member for 10 years, served as coach for several International Cadet Championships and World Championships, and also participated as a coach at the fencing events for seven Olympic Festivals.

Alex Beguinet was the Director of the US Fencing Association’s coaching education program, Coaches College, from 1993 until the program was dissolved in 2011, and was a member of the education staff since the program, held annually at US Olympic Training Centers, was first implemented in 1985.

Born in Toulouse, France, Maitre Beguinet received his Master of Arms Degree from the National Sports Institute in Paris in 1976. Beguinet came to Duke after serving eight years as the head fencing coach at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore.

Beguinet was the owner/director of Salle La Boessiere in Portland from 1980-84. While there, in addition to coaching for Lewis and Clark College in Portland, he coached at Portland Community College, Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore., and instructed for the city of Portland’s Park Bureau.

Fencing School Name11:

Duke University

NCAA Team:

Mens, Womens

NCAA Division:

Division 1

Head Coach:

Alex Beguinet

Épée Coach:

Christophe Duclos

Foil Coach:

Darius Wei

Saber Coach:

Jacek Huchwajda

Other:

Sports Psychologist, Nutritionist, Athletic Trainers, Sports Performance, Tutoring

Department Email:

darius.wei@duke.edu

Phone Number:

585-329-9258

Department Address:

PO Box 90555C

Men's Fencing Dept Website:

Click here

Women's Fencing Dept Website:

Click here

School Info:

Exceptional academics, enviable spirit, and supportive community: there's no school like Duke. Endowed in 1924, we're a student-driven university with the ambition and audacity to make a global impact. We're Cameron Crazies and ballet dancers. We're lemur researchers and social entrepreneurs. We're hospital caregivers and public policymakers. We're Nobel laureates and National Champions. With more than 50 majors, Duke will provide you with limitless intellectual opportunities to develop your mind through programs like Bass Connections and Focus.

Team Info:

2018/2021 Men's ACC Champions
2021 Women's ACC Champions
2021 NCAA 3rd Place

Training Info:

Schedule, Regiment

Monday:

3:00-6:00pm - Fencing + Plyometrics

Tuesday:

3:00-6:00pm - Fencing + Weight Room

Wednesday:

3:00-6:00pm - Fencing + Yoga/Pilates

Thursday:

3:00-6:00pm - Fencing + Weight Room

Friday:

3:00-5:00pm - Fencing

Fencing Scholarships Available:

Yes

Financial aid:

Currently Recruiting:

Yes

Walk Ons Accepted?:

Yes

Tournaments Attending:

Season Schedule:

Click for Season Schedule

Team Positions Available

Season:

Type: Female

Weapon:

Team Positions Available

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