Fencing for Life
The mauve cap or maroon derby always gives him away. Paired with his traditional tan khakis and light-blue button-down team shirt, Hugh Teel, Waterford High School’s head fencing coach, often stands out at eastern Connecticut meets. Scanning the scene while keeping a close eye on the competition, Teel repeatedly walks around the event venue, assessing the strategies being employed by his fencers in foil, epee, and the occasional saber bout.
At age 71, the retired Waterford police officer knows a thing or two about assessment. Having witnessed the best and worst of humanity in his 25+ years on the force, Teel fully understands the importance of assessing the chain of events in every situation – what specifically led to the current reality and how could it have been avoided or resolved better? Perhaps that is why fencing appealed to him. Aside from its cool mix of participants (from theatre, music, business, engineering, biology, and every future major in between), the sport’s emphasis on strategic thinking and discipline necessitates understanding the chain of events as fencers essentially play “chess at 100 miles an hour,” as some have described it.
And that’s a perfect match for a man like Teel, who thrives on intellectual engagement, discipline, and challenge as evidenced by his career paths and interests, including flying planes, traveling, cooking, studying history, watching movies, and survival instruction. (He also appreciates a good, freshly ground cup of coffee with none of those chemical-laden creamers – just use evaporated milk, he advises.)
Stepping out of his comfort zone is common for the man born in the “Big Easy” (a.k.a. New Orleans), as is embracing a mindset for success in each chosen path – something fencers on his team learn quickly. To him, the “meet mindset” doesn’t begin when fencers enter a competition space. It starts the moment they wake up. Did they sleep well or struggle to rest? Did they eat a good breakfast before they headed out the door? Are they hydrated? Did they bring all their equipment? Are they focused on the task ahead? Each link in the chain matters, and nothing gets done without determination and a deadline, he has been known to say.
How might this look on a meet day? When he resorts to pilot lingo and tells the team that it’s “wheels up at 8 a.m.,” he means it. No dawdling. No messing around. Fencers should report to the bus well before that time. Not there? Expect a call with words to the effect of: “Will you be joining us today?” Upon entering the gym or arena, all fencers also must know their own bout times and strip numbers – no lists from him to check against. Moreover, they are expected to support their teammates, so much so that some graduates even return on breaks to offer advice and cheer on the next generation of fencers.
Such high expectations are the norm under Teel, and together, they have resulted in considerable success. Waterford has won five team state championships and one individual, as well 11 Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) championships, with Teel being named the 2024 Domino’s ECC Coach of the Year. Among the reasons for the honor: excellence in developing young fencers, including building strong character and fostering sportsmanship. As more than one fencer has been told by him: “I see potential in you.”
Behind the scenes, Teel also handles tasks for which there are no awards. Broken blades, malfunctioning cords, beat-up masks, and more are personally fixed by him in his home office, and his uniform policy, which embraces a pass-it-on approach, ensures fencers have what they need regardless of cost.
Additionally, during the off-season, Teel has worked tirelessly to build a fencing community, including a local club option through Thames River Fencing in East Lyme, CT, which has opened up opportunities for several fencers to compete nationally. On top of these impressive outcomes, Teel also hosts a huge annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch at his home for past and present fencers and their families. No one ever goes hungry under his roof as several variations of slow-cooked corn beef, sauerkraut, and side dishes line his kitchen counters for his 50-60 guests each year.
Acts like these and the others that often go unseen speak to Teel’s ability to create connections among players that last far longer than a fencing season. Yet, it’s his coaching style, one layered with commitment, directness, and a little bit of adulting 101 thrown in, that defines Teel. At each practice, in each bout, and across every competition, he seeks to ignite a spark in students that goes on to shine brightly, not only when the team wins trophies and titles, but throughout each fencer’s life.
And that’s a light that leaves the best legacy.
– Karen Gerboth/Quality Float