Olympian Daryl Homer Joins Irish Staff as Volunteer Assistant

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Two-time Olympian and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Daryl Homer has joined the University of Notre Dame fencing coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia announced Friday.

The No. 2-rated sabreur in the country, Homer competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. His silver medal finish in 2016 marked the first American men’s sabre medal since Peter Westbrook won bronze in 1984 and the first silver since 1904.

“I’m excited to provide myself as an athletic resource for the student-athletes at Notre Dame, and hope to motivate and inspire them as they head towards this season’s meets and the ACC and NCAA Championships,” Homer said. “I’m also looking forward to working with Notre Dame’s elite coaching staff and athletic facilities.”

“I’ve known about Daryl’s athletic achievements — both for St. John’s and the USA National Team — for his entire career,” said Kvaratskhelia. “He’s arguably one of the greatest fencers in U.S. history. What has impressed me the most in the process of having him join us is learning of his kindness and humility and his desire to help others. Words can’t describe the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes.”

A 2013 graduate of St. John’s University, Homer captured NCAA men’s sabre titles in 2010 and 2011 and was a four-time First Team All-American. He has competed at nine Senior World Championships and, in 2015, became the first American man to win a medal in sabre when he claimed the silver. Also in 2015, he and Team USA claimed team gold at the Pan American Games. 

Originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Homer and his family moved to New York City when he was 5 years old. He began fencing at the Peter Westbrook Foundation and took up sabre after meeting the club’s namesake. He is currently a member of Fencers Club in New York.

Homer joins Margherita Guzzi Vincenti as volunteers on the Irish staff. Guzzi Vincenti joined the Irish in 2018 as an accomplished epeeist. She graduated from Penn State in 2013 after earning All-America honors four times and winning an NCAA title in 2010. A native of Milan, Italy, she earned her green card in 2014 and competes as a member of Team USA.

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