Club & Staff
Davis Fencing Academy maintains a 4,000 square foot facility that includes seven full length (40 feet) strips, with reels and two coaching strips. Electronic scoring is available on all fencing strips. Also available is a small armorer station, wall target boards, and other practice tools, as well as an observation area with large screen TV for active tournament standings.
Club equipment of jackets, masks, gloves, and non-electric weapons are available for members during their lessons. A limited quantity of lames and electric weapons, with body cords, are also available for use during lessons.
Simon Pitfield
Fencing Master, Owner
Simon started fencing in 1995, while attending UC Davis. In 1998 he was the co-founder of the City of Davis fencing program and opened the Davis Fencing Academy in 1999. In 2000 he received his Maître d’Armes (Fencing Master) degree from the French Academy of Arms in Paris. Simon is the owner and head coach of the Davis Fencing Academy and a National Team Coach for USA Pentathlon Multisport.
Maestro Lucchetti
Fencing Master
Maestro Lucchetti represented his home country of Argentina in foil in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As a coach, he has worked for Princeton, Ohio State and Stevens Institute of Technology among other schools and private clubs. While working at Davis Fencing Academy in its early years, he coached Nat Burke to his #3 ranking in U.S. Men’s Epee, Max Williams to a 5th place finish at Cadet World Championships, multiple fencers to Youth Pan American medals and started Eileen Grench on her Olympic career. Recently returned from London, he is once again creating elite fencers in Davis.
Ryan Servis
Coach
Ryan was one of the first students at Davis Fencing Academy. After high school, he attended Willamette University where he ran the fencing club. When he returned to Davis, Ryan reconnected with the club where he coaches a variety of classes.
Dick Berry
Coach Emeritus
Hometown – Highland Park, MI
Dick has fenced since 1948 (starting at the age of 16) and is a five-time National Champion. At 75+ years of age, he finally retired from competition. He is still active at the club helping new and experienced fencers improve their skills and encouraging all to have fun.
- Michigan State University Hall of Fame, Class of 2000
- 1952 All-American
- 1952 NCAA runner-up in individual epee
- Two-time Big Ten Champion (1952 Epee/1953 Foil)
- 1959 Pan American Games
- 2-time US National Epee champion 1957 & 1958
- USA Fencing Hall of Fame 2020