Beginners Coach, Jonathan Cohen
Operational Manager for the New Orleans Fencersâ Club, Jonathan Cohen, blessed with endless patience and long flowing golden locks, which are always discreetly tucked under his familiar patriotic bandana, is the NOFCâs beginners coach. Dynamic, robust in form, he is a firm believer that once the beginner acknowledges the basics it is expediently easier for them to develop into good intermediate and advance fencers in any of the three weapons. âBend your knees! Donât lean forward! Point first!â has taken on mantras statues within all beginners classes.
Cohen began fencing at LSU in 1978 under the tutelage of Dr. Ben Price, current owner of the Baton Rouge Fencing Club. After earning his degree, Cohen began his family in Metairie and was reintroduced to fencing when his oldest son then age 10 wanted to sword fight. The Cohenâs first found themselves at Tulane making quick friends with Richard Exnicios the then and current Tulane Coach who introduce them to Dr. Eugene Hamori and the New Orleansâs Fencing Academy. By then son #2 want to join in and not wanting to compete against each other, each selected a weapon. Within three years Chris Trammell brought son #1 to C level in saber, son #2 had earned a D in foil and Papa Co was working up the epee ladder thanks to Dr. Ted Cotton. It is fencing epee that the elder Cohen was introduced to Angela Torres the head coach of the NOAC who urged his involvement with the Louisiana Division of the USFA. Since then he has twice been chair of the division and is currently the divisional treasurer for the third time.