Order from the Chaos

All the posts

Indulging in Imagery

by Doug Nichols | Nov 18, 2019 | Blog Post, Coaches, Coaches K - O, McDougall, John

I have to face the fact that there is, for me, a certain romance in the imagery associated with fencing. This has been true for me as far back as I can remember.

More Time with Jerry Biagini!

by Doug Nichols | Nov 11, 2019 | Baker, Jack, Biagini, Gerard, Blog Post, Coaches, Coaches F - J, Coaches K - O, Coaches P - T, Coaches U - Z, Fencers, Fencers A - E, Fencers K - O, Halberstadt, Hans, King, Harriet, Marki, Ferenc, McDougall, John, Mori, Torao, Nadi, Aldo, Piller, George, Visconti, Edward

There is nothing in the world quite like Jerry Biagini’s greeting to me when I visited him about two weeks ago. Me: “Mr. Biagini, how are you?” Jerry: “I’m 90 years old and cranky!”

The Spartan Women, Part One

by Doug Nichols | Nov 4, 2019 | Blog Post, Bradford, Vinnie, Clark Skillman, Laurel, Coaches, Coaches A - E, Coaches F - J, D'Asaro, Gay, D'Asaro, Michael, Ellingson,Joy, Fencers, Fencers A - E, Fencers K - O, Halberstadt, Hans, Johnson, Stacey, King, Harriet, Northern California, San Jose State University, Schools/Clubs, Stanford

The last article I wrote, which featured Michael D’Asaro’s time in San Antonio and the Army, got me thinking about one of the reasons I decided to attend San Jose State to train with him. That reason was the awesome strength of his Women’s foil program.

Michael D’Asaro Goes To Texas

by Doug Nichols | Oct 21, 2019 | Blog Post, Brownlee, Laurance, Coaches, Coaches A - E, Coaches P - T, D'Asaro, Michael, Fencers, Fencers A - E, Northern California, San Jose State University, Schools/Clubs, Selberg, Charles

It's like fate or an inexorable draw. Or karma. That might be too strong. But if you're named Michael D'Asaro, you eventually move to Texas. Maybe it's the bbq. That would be the last entry on the 'go' side of my go/no go list. The Junior D'Asaro recently moved...

A Newfound Respect

by Doug Nichols | Oct 14, 2019 | Angell, Tommy, Baker, Jack, Blog Post, Brownlee, Laurance, Coaches, Coaches A - E, Coaches F - J, Coaches P - T, D'Asaro, Michael, Fencers, Fencers A - E, Fencers K - O, Halberstadt, Hans, Mitchell, Maxine, Northern California, Pannonia Athletic Club, Piller, George, Schools/Clubs

It’s so much fun to have your expectations and assumptions blown to bits. That happened to me this week when I had the great fortune to meet the daughter of long-time Letterman fencer Colonel Laurance Brownlee.

In His Youth, Bill O’Brien

by Doug Nichols | Oct 7, 2019 | Blog Post, Brownlee, Laurance, Coaches, Coaches F - J, Coaches K - O, Fencers, Fencers A - E, Funke, Erich, Halberstadt, Hans, O'Brien, William

The founder and long-time fencing master at The Letterman Fencers Club was Dr. William O’Brien. The club’s home was a gymnasium in San Francisco’s Presidio, a windy patch of green near the southern foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.