Oct. 13, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame fencers Alexander Coccia (Columbus, Ohio) and Marta Stepien (South Amboy, N.J.) have been tabbed Notre Dame fencers of the month for September, it was announced by head coach Janusz Bednarski.
In what looks to become a new tradition for the Irish going forward, the University of Notre Dame fencing coaching staff will begin selecting one male and one female fencer of the month, based on both leadership on the strip as well as off.
With the Irish not having competed in any events during the month of September, both Coccia and Stepien were named fencers of the month based upon service to the community as well as leadership to the team. Coccia and Stepien each represent Irish fencing on the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), with Stepien also serving on the career development committee and the blue and gold committee, which was formed to help drive attendance to a variety of Notre Dame sporting events.
In addition, both Irish fencers also were key organizers in this year’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) walk in the South Bend community as well as unifying the fencing team in participating in a flag football league for kids in the area.
Coccia is preparing to enter his sophomore year of competition with the Irish while Stepien is set to begin her junior campaign.
–ND–