GMAU Fencing

Christians, Are You Out There?!?

2011-07-12T18:14:00.001-04:00

Tonight I am going before the leadership of the Gospel Martial Arts Union to lay out my dreams for GMAU Fencing. I figure I should lay them out for anyone else who might be listening as well…

The reason GMAU Fencing exists, first and foremost, is to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to make disciples who will spread the Gospel to all the corners of the fencing world. See our web site, www.gmau.org/fencing, for more of our vision.

As part of my dream, I would like to have a network of professing Christians in the fencing world who are willing to team with GMAU Fencing in spreading the Gospel. I would like to have a newsletter listing the accomplishments of our affiliated fencers and containing articles written by fencers from all over the world. I would like to see the GMAU Fencing patch on a lot of shoulders out there (I’ll give them to you), worn by fencers who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, and who are willing to share their faith. I would like to see GMAU Fencing tables set up at fencing meets, and eventually at World Championships and Olympics venues, filled with tracts and information, manned by Christian fencers.

Please, please contact me if you are willing to share this vision and affiliate with us. Contact me at gmaufencing@gmail.com.

May God bless you and keep you!

George Ganahl, International Director, GMAU Fencing

Purdue Spring Open

2010-03-31T16:38:00.002-04:00

Two of our fencers, Coach Ganahl and Drew Myers, competed in the Purdue Spring Open on March 27, 2010.

The épée tournament was brutal, with 27 of the 58 fencers rated at C or better. We had a fair showing, though just missed breaking the top ten.

Drew Myers fenced in his first-ever USFA foil tournament, and placed 18th out of 35 fencers.

Congratulations, Drew!

Fencing tonight

2010-03-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

Come join us for fencing tonight at New Hope in Jamestown!

Drew Myers at USNA

2010-01-21T15:55:00.003-05:00

One of our own, Drew Myers, is out at the U.S. Naval Academy this weekend on a Candidate Visitation Weekend (CVW). He is going to drop by the Fencing Team practice to say hello, but won't have time to do any fencing since they don't practice on Fridays.

Pray for Drew's protection while he's out there.

Coach Ganahl

Fencing tonight!

2010-01-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

We are fencing tonight. Come join us!

Fencing tonight!

2010-01-14T15:37:00.002-05:00

Tonight is the first night of the spring semester, 2010! See you there!

GMAU Fencing Patches Available!

2010-01-07T14:46:00.001-05:00

Just what you need to show your GMAU Fencing colors and support the organization!

We now have beautiful fully-embroidered GMAU Fencing patches available. I am asking $5.00 for them, in order to recoup the cost of manufacture. Conatct Coach Ganahl, gganahl@gmaufencing.org, to order your patch.

First Night of Fencing January 14

2010-01-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

Due to the wonderful snow day today in Indianapolis area, we will launch our spring semester next Thursday, January 14. Arrive a little early to fill out paperwork.

Fencing November 19

2009-11-19T16:30:00.001-05:00

Yes, we are fencing tonight. It is the last night of the fall semester.

Fencing Sept 3

2009-09-03T13:15:00.002-04:00

Yes, we will have fencing tonight, September 3.

Coach Ganahl

Fall Semester

2009-08-04T12:10:00.003-04:00

The Fall Semester will start on Thursday, August 27. Please be at the church around 6:15 to fill out paperwork and such. See you there!

Coach Ganahl

Summer doldrums...

2009-07-02T10:45:00.002-04:00

It is the summer doldrums...no weekly fencing, no interaction with students to brighten my Thursday nights.

I have been working with a supplier to get official GMAU Fencing patches. I just need to raise about $100.00 capital to place the first order. So, if anyone wants to donate...

Summer is a good time to work on your footwork and conditioning. Skipping rope for at least 5 minutes per day will help a lot. Doing ten lunges per day. Running for endurance.

See you all soon, I hope!

Coach Ganahl

Congratulations!

2009-02-17T15:25:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to our GMAU Fencers Alex Ganahl, Drew Myers, and Andrew for their performance in the Purdue Spring Open épée tournament on January 31. All three made it to the second round or direct elimination, and had some well-fought bouts.

Congratulations, too, to our friends at Indianapolis Fencing Club who had three fencers in the top six places for the épée tournament, and the winner of the foil event.

Happy birthday, Rosie!

2009-02-12T12:51:00.002-05:00

Today is Rosie Lyons' birthday. Everyone make sure to wish her a happy birthday!

I had a great trip to Mexico City for work, although I missed the fencing. I was able to visit the Castle of Chapultepec, where the U.S. Marines earned the blood stripe they wear on their dress uniforms.
http://www.marines.com/main/index/winning_battles/history/missions/battle_of_chapultepec

I also visited Teotihuacan and climbed the Pyramid of the Sun (world's third-largest pyramid), the Pyramid of the Moon, and the small pyramid of Quetzlcoatl. It was very interesting to stand on something built in the second century A.D., and to see artifacts I had only read about in books.

I had opportunity to witness to several folks, and hopefully planted some seed that will bear fruit some day.

Spring Semester

2009-01-08T13:31:00.002-05:00

The Spring semester starts tonight. I hope to see everyone there!

Coach Ganahl

IFC visit photos

2008-11-30T20:09:00.007-05:00

Photos from 11/20/08 visit to Indianapolis Fencing Club. IFC'ers had a great time with the GMAU fencers! :-) For full-size versions, check here: jamie's IFC fencing pics on webshots

Meeting of the Masters

2008-10-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

We had a good, long session at the GMAU annual Meeting of the Masters event on October 10/11. I appreciate the effort everyone made to participate on Friday and Saturday. We didn't place in the kata competition, but it is very difficult to compete against traditional martial artists when the judges are used to looking for specific things that do not apply to European fencing. I appreciated everyone wh stayed to cheer me on while I attempted to get my limbs ripped off and face beaten in during the grappling and full contact Pankration tournaments :). I still think someone else (Andrew...Pastor Smith...) should step up at least for the full contact.

Saturday was a very encouraging day for me. All of the GMAU Academies were told to ensure 100% participation from their regular members, and I think we were the only academy to actually do so! Bravo! The day was long, and I think it was productive as well as fun. We had six students join our regulars, and thanks to Andrew's great help they were able to participate in a small tournament by the end of the day. I hope the more advanced stuents gained more than just a lot of bruises from the epee tactics training...

I have received many favorable comments from people regarding our skit at the medieval banquet Saturday night. People said they could hardly stop laughing (at least, those who know Princess Bride). One mother said, "I wanted to express my appreciation for your contribution to the banquet entertainment. Well done! Our 10-year-old son kept asking me, 'What's so funny?'" Thank you very much to everyone who participated and worked so hard to make it a success. Hopefully we will have a video to post soon.

See you Thursday!

First night of Fall Semester

2008-08-21T10:48:00.000-04:00

The first night of Fencing for the Fall Semester is Thursday, September 11. Please bring medical insurance info so we can fill out the release forms.

More info is on our web site, www.gmaufencing.org.

I hope to see you there!

In Christ,

Coach Ganahl