Conference Accolades

2012 and earlier

Team Champions

champion men's teams


2012: Sacred Heart University

2011: Sacred Heart University

2010: Sacred Heart University

<missing records...>

1994: University of Massachusetts

Champion women's teams

George H. Fischer Trophy Winners

2012: Brown and Boston College

2011: Vassar College

2010: Brandeis University

2009: Brandeis University

2008: Brown University

2007: Brown University

2006: Brown University

2005: MIT

2004: MIT

2003: Harvard University

2002: MIT

2001: Harvard University

2000: MIT

1999: MIT

1998: MIT

1997: Tufts University and MIT

1996: Brown University

1995: Brandeis University

1994: Brown University


The 1992-93 inaugural season was an "pilot" season. No champions were declared, as the real prize was the proof of viability of the conference.

Champion combined teams

Sollee-Lilien Trophy Winners

2012: Brown University and Scred Heart University

2011: Vassar College

2010: Brown University

2009: Brandeis University

2008: Brandeis University

2007: Brandeis University

2006: MIT

2005: Brown University, MIT, and Brandeis University

2004: MIT

2003: Harvard University

2002: Harvard University and MIT

2001: MIT

2000: MIT and Brandeis University

1999: MIT and Brandeis University

1998: MIT

1997: MIT


Award not given prior to 1997

Fencers of the Year

Given to the top male and female fencers in the conference.

All-star rankings are used to select fencers of the year. The all-star who has the greatest victory percentage across all weapons in a gender is used to select the fencer of the year. In the case of ties, there are no tie-breakers defined; ties are possible.

Fencers of the Year - Men

2008: Kevin Shanahan -- UMass Men's Sabre


Records for other recipients are missing.

Fencers of the Year - Women

2012: Robin Shin - MIT Women's Sabre


Records for other recipients are missing.

Conference all-stars

We recognize sustained achievement by individuals by bestowing First Team (top 3 performers) and Second Team (next 3 top performers) in each weapon.

Once the bouts fenced threshold* is met, the victory percentage (greater value prevails) is used to determine all-star ranking . In the case of ties, indicators (touches scored – touches received; greater difference prevails) are used. Further tie breakers are undefined.

*Bouts fenced threshold: To be eligible, a fencer must fence in a minimum of 2/3 of the scheduled bouts in the season (minimums are 20 for men, 24 for women). This threshold is common to all of the conference's individual accolades.

Records for conference all-stars for 2012 and earlier are not available online.

If you are interested in obtaining these, please contact us.

Elliot Lilien Award

Lilien award winners

2012: Katie LeClair - Vassar College Women's Foil

2011: Robin Shin - MIT Women's Sabre

2010: Stephanie Allard - UNH Women's Foil

2009: Sophie Courser - Vassar College Women's Epee

2008: Kevin Shanahan - UMass Men's Sabre

2007: Trevor Chang - MIT Men's Epee

2006: Kate Dusinberre - UNH Women's Foil AND Julia Shih - Tufts University (tie)

2005: Tyler Jacobson - UMass Women's Foil

2004: Leo Cook - UMass Men's Foil

2003: Linnea Selinga - UNH Women's Foil

2002: Chris Geller - Tufts Men's Foil

2001: Caroline Purcell - MIT Women's Sabre

2000: Margaret Kosmala - Brown University Women's Epee

1999: Ben Hardt - Brown University Men's Epee


This award was first given in 1999.

Named after NFC founder, former Commissioner, and USA Fencing Hall of Fame - nominated coach Elliot Lilien. This award is given to that fencer in the conference who shows exemplary sportsmanship and an excellent parry system.

To be eligible, a fencer meet the bouts fenced threshold that is also applied to all-star eligibility.

The winner is selected by voting at the coaches and captains at the annual meeting.

Sachs Award

Sachs Award Winners

2012: Jacqueline Cordell - UNH Women's Sabre

2011: Brooke Schieffer - Vassar College Women's Sabre

2010: Hathairat Sawaengsri - Dartmouth College Women's Sabre

2009: Laura Brassard - UMass Women's Sabre

2008: Laura Brassard - UMass Women's Sabre

2007: Laura Brassard - UMass Women's Sabre

2006: Ashley Bailey - UNH Women's Sabre

2005: Bethany Hughes - UNH Women's Sabre


This award was first given in 2005.

Named after Elif and Jason Sachs, former coaches at Tufts University. Given to the fencer "with the best record who started fencing in College." [from the award inscription]

To be eligible, a must not have had any experience in fencing prior to fencing in college.

All-star rankings are used to select the Sachs award winner. The eligible fencer who has the greatest victory percentage across all weapons and genders is selected. In the case of ties, there are no tie-breakers defined; ties are possible.

Coaches of the Year

Given for men's team and women's team coaches.

The winner is selected by voting at the coaches and team captains at the annual meeting.

Prior to 2016, this award was the "Coach of the Year," and recognized the head coach of the team, or the entire team in the cases where the team did not have a coach. Starting in 2016, this award name was changed to reflect the contribution of the entire coaching staff, and the award was given in the school's name.

Coaches of the Year - Men's Teams

2012: Dartmouth College - Self-Coached

2011: Tom Vrabel - Sacred Heart University


It is unclear whether the award was not given prior to 2011, or if there missing records.

Coaches of the Year - Women's Teams

2012: Syd Fadner - Boston College

2011: Bruce Gillman - Vassar College


It is unclear whether the award was not given prior to 2011, or if there missing records.