In May 2010, the All-American Fencing Academy is awarded a small business grant from Idea Cafe. The grant was used to purchase practice equipment for students. In 2008, the All-American Fencing Academy previously applied for the grant, but only made the semi-final cut.
Megan Connell begins coaching foil and sabre. Megan was referred to us by Paul Hovey. She stayed with the AAFA for about a year.
For about a year, Alexandra Socha, Olympic Polish Fencing team member, begins teaching sabre classes for the AAFA.
Shortly after opening, Coach John joins the Academy and also begins teaching classes and giving lessons.
The All-American Fencing Academy becomes and LLC on May 6, 2008 and opens in it’s current location Downtown Fayetteville, NC.
Jon Charles, a Penn State fencer and grad, lends a hand with some coaching and our transition to our new location in Downtown Fayetteville.
Coach Gerhard begins working on Fort Bragg and the fencing club is relocated to Albritton Middle School. The club also changes it’s name to the All-American Fencing Academy.
Harry Rulnick, WWII Navy Veteran, UNC fencing alumni, and Fayetteville native, learns of the Cumberland County Fencing Club and donates $100 to support fencing in Fayetteville. He continued to donate $100 for the annual Harry Rulnick Open until his passing in 2009.
Paul Hovey joins the AAFA while still in elementary school. He will stay with the AAFA until he graduates from high school and continues to fence at UNC. Paul also helped coach classes and summer camps.
Coach Gerhard was a center director at Pine Forest Recreation Center (PFRC). Fencing classes start at PFRC as the Cumberland County Fencing Club, a satellite site to the North Carolina Fencing Development Program.