Chris Spencer came to Haverford in 2007 as head coach of both the men’s and women’s fencing teams, and has continued the long tradition of fencing excellence he inherited. During his tenure, both teams have won their conference championships three times. The women were EWFC Champions in 2009 and NIWFA Division III Champions in 2008 and 2014. The men’s side had a three-peat run of gold medals in the MACFA from 2010 through 2012.

The fencing programs have produced three NCAA Division I National qualifiers and nine NCAA Regional finalists under Spencer’s direction. Bronze medals for women’s foil and men’s epee at National Squad Championships in 2011 resulted in Haverford’s first All-American accolades since 1954.

Prior to his arrival at Haverford, Spencer served as assistant coach at Wellesley College from 2004-07 and founded still-running junior and collegiate clubs in Western Massachusetts at that time. Spencer’s competitive career began at Hopkins School, continued at Brandeis University, and concluded at the Boston Fencing Club, where, after representing them in USFA competition for many years, he transitioned to coaching. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Brandeis and a graduate degree in Illustration from Lesley University/AIB.

Building on the success of his predecessors at Haverford, whom he credits for the strong foundation of the programs, Spencer was selected EWFC Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2013, and MACFA Coach of the Year in 2011. He currently serves as a member of the NCAA DI Fencing Championships Committee, as a referee at National level competition for the USFA, and works as a private coach at Infinity Fencing Alliance.

Coach Spencer is also a professional artist and has seen his professions overlap recently with large mural commissions for both Brandeis University and the Bucks County Academy of Fencing.