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Head coach Abdel Salem has been at the helm of the Academy's Men and Women's fencing program since 1998. A 1980 graduate of the University of Alexandria, Egypt, with a Doctorate in Medicine, Salem was a 10-year member of the Egyptian National Fencing team and competed in the 1984 Olympics. In 1996, Salem was named the U.S. Olympic Committee Coach of the Year.
Before coming to the Academy, he was the head coach at the Lone Star Fencing Center in Dallas, Texas. He founded the center in 1989 and developed fencers from the novice skill level to the advanced competitor, including United States National Team members. During his time at Lone Star, Salem was also the fencing coach for the St. Mark's School in Dallas.
Salem taught fencing courses at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania from 1987-1989. His first head coaching position was at the Fairmont Park Fencing Center in Philadelphia. As head coach at the club from 1987-89, Salem taught U.S. Olympic and World Team members. The club took the U.S. Foil Team Championship title. He was also the assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania from 1986-1988.
Salem has been a coach at five U.S. Olympic Sports Festivals and has been involved with many U.S. National Teams. Since 1993, he has been a staff member of the U.S. Fencing Coaches College. The Coaches College holds clinics at the U.S. Olympic Training Center to help teach coaching skills to new coaches as well as offer current coaches new techniques.
Salem's coaching career in the United States began in 1984 at the Westside Fencing Center in Los Angeles. In 1986, he moved on to the Salle Csiszar Fencing Center in Philadelphia where he assisted in winning the U.S. Women Epee team championships. After graduating from Alexandria and during his Olympic efforts, Salem was a practicing general physician in Egypt for four years.
Salem is a member of the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association Certification and Accreditation Board.
