Event History

What is “University New Hanster”?

When epee coach Michael Grosse moved to sunny Florida in 2017 from the snowy northeast, he was not ready to join a new fencing club. It was hard to let go after 13 years of representing the University of New Hampshire as a fencer and a coach.

As fate would have it, a series of miscommunications and a deep commitment to the philosophy of let's-see-how-far-we-can-take-this would create a new club for him.

This is the story as told by me, Michael Grosse...of how a very real UNH morphed into a very fake UNH and how for one day each year it becomes another UNH entirely: The University New Hanster Open!

The Miscommunication

Nearly a year after my relocation to Florida, a technical snafu set the stage for the perfect mistake.

During check-in at a small event in Miami, a glitch with the askFred registration system meant that every fencer would have to be entered manually inside a noisy room by someone new to the software.

When asked what club I fenced for, I said “University of New Hampshire”, and I was met with a confused “What?” from behind the computer screen... “New Hampshire” I said. “University?” The voice asked. “Yeah”.

So I start warming up, and when pools are posted I see my name listed with “UNH” as my club, and I think nothing of it. Fence on. I ended up 5th and went about my training.

It wasn't until a few tournaments later when, during check-in at another event, the club listing column is expanded and “UNH” is revealed to its full glory: “University New Hanster”.

Let's-See-How-Far-We-Can-Take-This

Like the fabled master weavers of olden times, I saw the opportunity to ncorporate this most perfect mistake into the tapestry of my fencing career...

Rather than meeting the error with frustration, I decided to let it ride.

I chose to let the 10 years of results archived under "Michael Grosse: University of New Hampshire" stay in the past. I decided to represent New Hanster for as long as I could sneak under the radar of anyone who might say, "That's not a real club. It isn't even spelled right. And it's missing the 'of'!"

And let it ride I did.

When I started placing at tournaments, something funny happened: Other training buddies who had not officially joined clubs themselves wanted to join in.

New Hanster became the perfect placeholder for recent graduates, people returning to the sport after years away, and newcomers to the area who didn't know where to join.

Today, after 6 years of fencers representing New Hanster in Florida, we still get a kick out of hearing the name called for podium finishes.

Our full medal count speaks to the power of having fun while being the best you can be at something you enjoy: 5 Golds, 3 Silvers, 9 Bronze.

Prior Winners

2024: IVAN GORIUNOV - South Florida Fencing Club
2023: CHRISTOPHER ENG - Peter Westbrook Foundation