Flat Hat research done by Devon “Quasar” Keesee ’26
Leigh Tucker Jones (d. 1942)
1924: Fencing team founded by Tucker Jones in 1924 (facing its centennial in the middle of a crisis) .
“Jones was responsible for organizing the department of physical education at W&M, for developing intramural athletics, and for encouraging amateur coaching of college athletics.”
(Flat Hat, Dec 8 1942)
He added the sport of fencing to the college athletic program and served as the instructor of several championship teams.
“Advanced work in gymnasium is being offered for the first time this quarter under the direction of Physical Director, L. Tucker Jones, assisted by Mr. Siersma. The advanced work consists of a class in the fundamentals of sparring and boxing. At present this class is composed almost entirely of new men, but it is hoped that a number of football and track men will enroll at the end of the season.”
(Flat Hat, Oct 12 1923)
“The class in boxing opens up a new field of sport to students of the College and Coach Jones has expressed a desire for as many men as possible
to take the work.”
Sep 25 1934: Jones and Physical Education department issue call for a focus on intramural sports like archery and bridge.
“All those interested in trying out for the fencing team or, in learning fencing, report to the small gym at Slow, Monday at the small gym at Blowl Monday at 4 o’clock.”
“Mac, back in 1934 and 1935, was the Indians’ Southern Intercollegiate fencing champion, probably as skillful a swordsman as ever wielded a foil for Coach Jones.”
Sep 29, 1936: Coach Jones issues a call for fencing recruitment after graduation of MacDonald and Gannaway.
“With only three of last year’s team back for the squad, Coach Tucker Jones is anxious for a large turnout for the fencing team. Any freshmen or upperclassmen who know anything about fencing or who wish to learn are urged to report to the fencing room in Blow Gymn on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons at 4 p. m. The squad is undertaking a schedule as ambitious as last year’s and there is need of three or four replacements to fill the gaps left by MacDonald and Gannaway.”
Oct 5 1937: Fencers prepare for heavy 1938 schedule. Previous season was closed with 12 victories, one defeat. Reported even back in 1938 that “Experience is not necessary, the only requirements being enthusiasm and the will to learn.”
Sep 26 1939: Women’s fencing starts practice in fall in preparation for spring tournaments.
Dec 5 1939: Team is built upon 3 of previous years returning varsity men and two promising rookies. Take part in Eastern Intercollegiate Fencing Conference Tournament (Flat Hat describes this as the largest in the country, with W&M Fencing going up against leading fencers from the South and East.
1941:
“The women’s fencing team
chalked up another victory Saturdaywhen they won a Triangular
(Flat Hat) April 15, 1941
Meet in Jefferson Gyra against
Hoffstra and Cornell. Hoffstra
defeated Cornell, 8-1, William and
Mary defeated Cornell 8-1. and
then William and Mary defeated
Hoffstra in a close match. 5-4, to
win the whole meet.”
“William and was defeated in the fencing meet, however, by the close score of 9 to 7. This was really a good showing, because the team that represented William and Mary was not the varsity team but members chosen from the fencing class.”
(Flat Hat) April 22 1941
1942:
“To Mr. Jones,
one of the best collegiate fencing
coaches, should go entire credit for
William and Mary’s consistently fine
teams. He has nursed and mothered
fencing here for many years and only
through high standards and exacting
demands have champions been produced”“Representing William and Mary at the
(Flat Hat) Feb 18 1942
ancient sport were Jim Glassman, rated
Ail-American, and Bill Grover, both un-
defeated in foil, epee, and sabre; Jim
Hendry, undefeated in foil; and Dale
Williams, defeated but once in epee and
once in sabre.”
“William and Mary’s undefeated fenc-
(Flat Hat) Mar 18 1942
ers met and conquered their sixth con-
secutive opponent of the year, downing
Virginia Military Institute, here Friday
afternoon at the local gym, 13 to 4. This
was the second win for W. & M. over
the Cadet fencers this year. The student
body has grown so accustomed to Tucker
Jones’, great teams that we often fail to
give him or the team the credit they
deserve. The team’s record for the past
30 years is more than just good, it is
remarkable. Last season the team lost
only one match out of nine, and this
year the team is undefeated -in six
matches. In these seasons William and
Mary has faced the best teams on the
Atlantic coast.”
Reports that it is the first year Coach Jones has had more than 5 men on his squad.
- Coach Jones passes away in early December, but Flat Hat reports W&M Fencing Team dedicated the season to his memory and were determined to “make this the best year in the team’s history.”
- Insane schedule. Less than a week between all tournaments.
1945:
“Something new in intramural com-
(Flat Hat) Feb 28 1945
petition is being introduced this year.
Fencing murals are scheduled to come
off from March 6 to 15. A fencing
unit is to be made up of two or not
more than three people. Anyone who
has been in a fencing class for a
semester at college or who has had
experience enough suitable to D r .
Sinclair in the sport is eligible to
participate in the event. Four prac-
tices are required. Anyone may check
out equipment in Jefferson gym and
may practice in the gym or in her own
room. Notice for when the gym is
available for practices is posted on the
bulletin board in the physical educa-
tion office. It is desirable to practice
with a partner. Ruth Paul is chair-
man of fencing intramurals.”
“Experienced fencers will be
(Flat Hat) Nov 28 1945
issued fencing equipment in the
Jefferson gym office Tuesday , De-
cember 3 from 2 – 3 p.m. Since
there are no fencing classes this
year, this will allow those inter –
ested to workout.”
1947:
“Shirley Lyons, more often called
(Flat Hat) Mar 29 1947
“Leo,” successfully defended her
title last Thursday, March 24, in
the annual Open Fencing Tourna-
ment, sponsored by the Fencing
Club.”
1948:
William and Mary is the only
(Flat Hat) Nov 30 1948
college in this section of the coun-
try which sponsors fencing as an
organized sport for women.