Luther Clement is in his fifth year as an assistant coach with the New York University men’s and women’s fencing teams. His primary focus is geared towards sabre instruction.
Last season, Clement helped lead the men’s and women’s squads to 14-8 and 7-13 records, respectively, and to a 13th-place finish at the NCAA Championship- the highest amongst all Division III programs.
In 2014-15, Clement helped Quinten Burgunder lead the men’s team in sabre victories (33) and finish 15th at the NCAA East Regional Championships while the team posted an 11-10 record. John Cramerus (epee), along with Daniel Sconzo (foil) qualified for the NCAA Championships and both finished 20th in their respective weapons. Their performances helped lift the combined NYU men’s/women’s team to a 19th-place finish nationally, the highest of any Division III school.
The women’s season was highlighted by the performance of senior captain Audra Fox, who led the squad with 31 victories and finished 14th in foil at the NCAA East Regional Championships.
During the 2013-14 season, Clement’s guidance helped send Andrew Kelly – who won University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week honors three times – to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season. Kelly, along with senior foil fencer Christian Vastola, led NYU to a 23rd-place finish at the NCAA’s, good for third place among Division III schools. In addition, Clement was able to help guide the Violets to a silver medal in sabre at the Division I North America Circuit.
In his first season on the staff in 2012-13, Clement’s tutelage helped send two sabre fencers, Jackie Leval and Kelly, to the NCAA Championships, where the pair combined to produce an 18th-place finish for NYU. Additionally, the Violet’s men’s sabre squad captured a bronze medal at the U.S. Collegiate Squad Championships.
Clement joined the NYU staff following several years of coaching experience. In 2011, he began as an instructor with the Fencing Club Schools Partnership, where he continues to work with young fencers and develops curriculum for a beginners fencing course.
Clement served as a coach at the Fencing Academy of South Jersey from 2009-10. While there, he trained fencers of all ages and skill levels including A-rated fencers and National Team members.
In addition to the above positions, Clement has also worked as a volunteer coach with the Peter Westbrook Foundation since 2006.
A 2008 graduate of St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Clement competed in sabre for the Red Storm from 2005-08. A three-time All-American, he was captain of the 2007 team that finished second at the NCAA Championship.
Additionally, Clement won an Under-20 World Cup Championship in 2003, reached the World Cup Quarterfinals in 2006 and earned a North American Cup Championship in 2009.
Outside of fencing, Clement is a freelance film director, editor, cinematographer, and writer. His work has ranged from music videos for recording artist JCole to a documentary about competitive fencing.
A native of Prairie Village, KS, Clement resides in New York City on Roosevelt Island.
