Charles Schmitter

Charles R. Schmitter

Coach of Michigan State. Co-founder of the NFCAA (1941). He was the first recipient of the coach of the year award (1957). He was one of those responsible for the growth of fencing in the Midwest.

"A native of Detroit, Charles Schmitter began fencing while a student at the University of Detroit. He helped organize the school's first fencing team and began coaching the Detroit team in 1929. It was during these years that he began to collect fencing books. In 1938 he began his long association with MSU, becoming the school's full-time fencing coach in 1940. He was named "Fencing Coach of the Year" by the National Fencing Coaches Association in 1957. He has served on the fencing committee for the Olympic games several times. In 1956 Charles Schmitter, for whom the Schmitter Fencing Collection is named, became the first native born American to achieve the prestigious Italian Masters Diploma in fencing." - taken from the Michigan State Library

The Great Lakes Sword Club, of Michigan, holds an annual memorial tournament named after Charles Schmitter. GLSC's Annual Schmitter Memorial honors Maestro Charles Schmitter and his innumerable contributions to the sport of American fencing. The first American to receive a maestro's diploma from the Italian School of Fencing, Schmitter was also president of the Olympic Fencing Committee, coached Olympic athletes, developed and adapted a treatise on fencing, and was several times Michigan State Champion in all 3 weapons.

As listed in the Spartan Sports Encyclopedia, by Jack Seibold, "In a traditional post-season display of dominance over his pupils, Coach Schmitter single-handedly defeated the nine-man varsity squad, 18-9. His scores were 7-2 in foil, 7-2 in sabre, and 4-5 in epee."

Inducted into the United States Fencing Association USFA Hall of Fame in 1974.

External links

• Hall of Fame Listing
• Schmitter Fencing Collection at Michigan State University