WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University has announced that Jennie Salmon has been named as the University's newest men's and women's head fencing coach. Salmon succeeds Bill Shipman, who retired this summer after 37 years as coach of the Judges. She will start at Brandeis on August 6.
"Jennie will be a great addition to the Brandeis Athletics team," Acting Director of Athletics Jim Zotz said. "Her enthusiasm for the sport as a teacher and a coach will make her a perfect successor to coach Shipman's legacy."
"I am extremely honored to be chosen to continue the success of this legendary program," said Salmon. "Being a student-athlete is an awesome endeavor. I am thrilled to begin working with fencers who have chosen to bring their love of the sport to the Judges. Nothing beats the team aspect of fencing that collegiate competition provides. For me, being able to work with athletes towards both their team and individual goals is what coaching is all about. I look forward to hitting the ground running and feel truly blessed to be able to embrace this new challenge at such a prestigious University where the student-athlete experience is so highly valued and supported."
Salmon comes to Brandeis with an extensive resume, including 22 years of successful club and high school coaching, as well as experience with USA Fencing. In 2001, she co-founded the Mission Fencing Club in Rocky Point, New York, with her husband Jeff, and has been the head coach there since 2003. Her students have consistently been part of NCAA Championship teams and earned numerous All-America honors. Salmon has also coached members of the U.S. Fencing National team in all three weapons, including a 10th-place finisher at the 2016 Cadet Women's Foil World Championships.
From 2000 through 2013, she served as head coach at Ward-Melville High School in East Setauket, New York. In her 13 seasons with the Patriots, she coached more than 60 All-Long Island fencers and 42 individual county champions across weapons and genders. At one point in her tenure, she coached WMHS to 12 consecutive undefeated League championships as her teams earned 174 straight wins, the second-longest high school sports winning streak in Long Island history. She was an eight-time Suffolk County Coach of the Year and two-time Long Island Coach of the Year.
Since 2015, Salmon has served as a regional consultant for USA Fencing, helping to build the regional tournament system for the US Fencing Association. She has also served as USA Fencing's Youth Development Chair and as a member of that organization's Tournament Oversight Committee and Athlete Handbook Revision Group. In 2015, Salmon received the USA Fencing Jack Baker Volunteer Service Award.
Collegiately, Salmon was a foil fencer and 1995 graduate of Temple University with a BA in Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education. A team captain in 1993 and 1994, she was a two-time foil All-American. Salmon helped the Owls to three top-three finishes among women's programs at the NCAA National Collegiate Championships, including first place in 1992. Salmon received her MA in Literacy from Dowling College in 2002.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JENNIE SALMON
Bill Shipman, retired Brandeis head coach – "I am pleased to have Jennie Salmon take my position at Brandeis fencing. She has been a successful and respected high school coach at Ward-Melville and club coach at Mission. Her students have achieved at all levels. Her strong work ethic and good perspective on the team and students' needs should keep Brandeis fencing strong and successful in many ways."
Nikki Franke, Temple University head coach – "Jennie is an excellent coach and has always had a strong work ethic, both as an All-American Fencer for Temple and as a coach. Her commitment and dedication to her students' skill development and well-being is outstanding. Her love of fencing shows in everything she does and I know she will be an asset to the Brandeis fencing program."
Buckie Leach, former US National Fencing and current Notre Dame University foil coach – "Brandeis has hired an amazing coach in Jennie Salmon. Her understanding of both fencing and the student-athlete is exceptional. I look forward to competing with Jennie on the college circuit for many years!"
Emil Kaidanov, retired Penn State University head coach – "Jennie is a well-organized, devoted coach, who is highly respected by her students as well as parents. She had a tremendously successful career as a fencer and now, along with her husband Jeff, runs the most successful fencing club on Long Island. I am sure she will benefit the Brandeis athletic program and will continue the excellent tradition that was embodied by Coach Shipman."