ACFA Coach Howard Benefit Tournament

The 1st Annual Coach Richard Howard Benefit Tournament is hosted by Amarillo Competitive Fencing Association (ACFA), the largest fencing club in the Texas panhandle.  ACFA is a 501(c)(3) organization and any donations beyond the cost of the tournament will be tax deductible. Coach Howard Biography: Richard E. Howard has been coaching fencing for over 30 years and is currently Head Coach Emeritus at ACFA. He is certified by the United States Fencing Coaches Association and the Academie d' Armes Internationale as a Moniteur D' Escrime in foil, epee, and sabre. Coach Howard was initially trained by his maternal grandfather, Mr. T. E. Anderson, who was a student of Ralph Faulkner at the Falcon Studios in the late 1920's and early 1930's. As a young teenager, Coach Howard's grandfather placed him under the tutelage of Maestro Nick Toth in Colorado Springs in 1960. Coach Howard has helped develop the talent of numerous fencers, producing nationally ranked fencers and a national champion. Coach Howard is retired from Amarillo College where he taught biology for many years. He still serves as the curator of the AC Natural History Museum. He also is a concert pianist and has composed a suite for piano called "Prairie Visions," which was professionally recorded and is available in CD. Over the last few years, Coach Howard has been fighting Parkinson's disease. All the proceeds from this tournament will go toward a special fund to help Coach Howard with his ongoing medical bills and his fight against this terrible disease. DATE April 30 - May 1, 2011 LOCATION Amarillo College Carter Fitness Center Corner of 24th Street & Washington Amarillo, TX 79109 BOUT COMMITTEE The Bout Committee will be chaired by Gerrie Baumgart. EVENTS SCHEDULED SATURDAY APRIL 30th 9:00 am Y14 Mixed Foil Senior Mixed Epee 12:00 pm Y10 & Y12 Mixed Foil Junior (U20) Mixed Foil SUNDAY MAY 1st 9:00 am Y14 Mixed Epee Senior Mixed Foil 12:00 pm Y10 & Y12 Mixed Epee Junior (U20) Mixed Epee 12:15 pm Senior Mixed Saber REGISTRATION & EVENT FEES Registration $10 Senior events $20 Junior events $15 Youth events $10 ALL fencers who are NOT pre-registered on Ask Fred by April 23, 2011 will be assessed a $5 LATE REGISTRATION FEE for each event in which they are not pre-registered. USFA RULES All USFA rules will be enforced in the tournament. Please bring proof of USFA membership or you will not be allowed to compete. New USFA membership applications will be available at the tournament. COMPETITION FORMAT Standard USFA pool format with 100 percent advancing to direct elimination, with no repechage. AWARDS The top 4 will receive medals. Third place will NOT be fenced off. ARMORER The tournament will have an armorer to check fencing equipment before each competition and to assist with equipment problems during the tournament. HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS There are many hotels in the Amarillo area that will fit your budget. Since we are currently unable to guarantee a certain number of rooms, we do not have a special rate arranged at any specific hotel. Virtually every national hotel chain is represented in Amarillo so you have lots of options. ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING FOOD IN THE VENUE The Carter Fitness Center does not allow food and drink (other than water bottles) on the floor of the gym where the competition is being held. There will be an adjoining classroom where all food must be kept and consumed. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: ACFA Acfencer@gmail.com (806) 553-0115 Our club website is located at http://www.acfencers.com.