Tom Nagy has been a fencer since 1975, and he has loved every minute of it. Starting as a Freshman at Cleveland State in 1975, Tom learned the fundamentals and fine points of fencing thru his Coaches; Master John Szent Kiraly, Master William Reith , Master Kai Czarnecki, and CSU Assistant Coach Doug Phillips. As a freshman, Tom won the 1st Annual CSU Men's Intramural Fencing Championship. Then, as a sophomore, Tom (and On Target Epee Coach Rich Hamper) taught a beginning fencing class. Tom taught fencing for 8 quarters at CSU, and in the meantime earned 4 letters, won the "Most Improved Fencer of the Year" Award during his sophomore year, was Co Captain during his junior year, and ended his CSU career with a 129 wins and 60 losses record. Tom was part of the Vikings 1979 1980 season, when they took 4th place at the NCAA Fencing Championships. This still is the highest any CSU Sports Team has ever reached at a National NCAA Championship.
A long time volunteer coach at CSU, Tom was the Assistant Fencing Coach at CSU under Head Coach Bill Reith for 3 years. Tom also served 2 years as the Bout Committee Chairman for the Northern Ohio Division of the USFA. In that capacity, Tom was responsible for set up, running and tearing down all local fencing tournaments. Tom was awarded the Developmental Coach of the Year award for 1999 from the fencers of the Northern Ohio Division of the USFA. Tom Nagy makes his home in North Ridgeville with his wife Kim Bregar.
Our most experienced Coach, Rich has been an Epee and Foil fencer since 1963. Rich, as a first year Varsity letterman, represented Case Institute of Technology at the 1965 NCAA Fencing Championships. As a 19th place finisher in Epee, he helped Case earn a 10th place National ranking, the highest ever for a Case Institute Fencing Team. In the fall of 1965, he transferred to Cleveland State University, where he fenced Epee, lettering every year until he graduated. In 1968, he represented CSU at the NCAA Fencing Championships, finishing 24th in Epee.
After graduation, Rich joined the Air Force as an Officer. While stationed at Syracuse, NY in 1969, he helped coach the Syracuse University Epee squad. In 1970-71, while stationed in Alaska, he conducted Foil and Epee classes at Campion AFS. In 1974, Rich returned to CSU to complete his Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics and to assistd Maestro John Szent Kiraly as Epee Coach for the CSU Epee Squad. During this time, Rich actively competed in AFLA/USFA competitions, attending his last National Championship in 1979. In 1986, he retired as a competitive fencer and coach, after having coached 11 straight CSU Epee squads to winning seasons.
In 1993, Rich left his Statistician/Systems Analyst position at Centerior Energy to pursue a career as a science fiction writer. He lives in North Ridgeville with his wife Fran.
In December 1996, Rich was coaxed out of retirement, by ON TARGET Head Coach Tom Nagy to become ON TARGET's Epee Coach. He is retired from competition, but his coaching style and insights into the psychology of fencing competition make him a valuable and interesting addition to our coaching staff.
Jeff Rodachy first came to us as a student in 1998, after being introduced to fencing via his alma mater Bowling Green University where he earned a Bachelor's degree, majoring in Theatre and Computer Science. Since then he's developed into a fine competitive fencer . . . and an excellent coach. Always patient, and with a sharp sense of humor, Jeff has a knack for breaking through a student's learning problems where other coaches have difficulty. From 2004 to 2008 at On Target, Jeff has acted as an assistant epee coach as well as helping to keep the saber program alive. During that time he's worked with many students, traveled with some of them to tournaments, and coached most of them through those competitions . . . always encouraging, always supportive. He's constantly challenged and still challenges our students to think and to excel . . . and to have fun. Several years ago he blew out his knee. Since then, he has slowly and methodically come back from that injury, setting a high standard for persistence and patience when coping with adversity. He works hard at his fencing and it shows. He challenges others to do so by his example. As one of the areas highest ranking fencing referees, Jeff also brings to On Target a thorough knowledge of the rules of competitive fencing, a highly developed sense of fair play, and an ability to explain the rules to fencers puzzled by them. Jeff's insights into the challenges of fencing are always interesting, often entertaining, but always helpful and well-meaning. Henceforth, as an "official" coach for On Target, we expect Jeff to continue to do what he already does so well.