HACKENSACK, N.J. -  FDU Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut announced Thursday the hiring of Greg Rupp as the Knights' women's fencing head coach. A Bronx, N.Y. resident, Rupp inherits a program that registered six NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional qualifiers in 2021-22.

A 1995 graduate of St. John's (N.Y.), Rupp was a three-time All-American for the Johnnies (NCAA Division I - BIG EAST), earning accolades in 1992, 1993 and 1995. St. John's finished second at the NCAA Championship his senior season, falling short of gold by just seven points. Individually, Rupp finished first at the 1995 Intercollegiate Fencing Association tournament which came in his final campaign with St. John's. Rising through the ranks, Rupp's first head coaching opportunity came at John L. Miller Great Neck North, a high school in Great Neck, N.Y. out on Long Island where he coached both the boys and girls programs for the Blazers, a role he held for four years.

"We can't wait for Greg to take over the reins of our women's fencing program," said Hurlbut. "He had tremendous success as a collegiate fencer at St. John's and is well respected by his peers in the northeast fencing community. Greg comes to us from Lafayette College and we look forward to officially welcoming him to FDU soon!"

In November 2009, Rupp was tabbed as the head coach for Garden City High School's boys team before joining the collegiate ranks at NCAA Division II member Queen's, a position he held from 2012-18. After his tenure with the Knights, Rupp joined Riverdale Country High School in the Bronx as the Epee coach for the boys and girls clubs prior to his hire at Lafayette (NCAA Division I - Patriot League) where he served as the Leopards' head coach from 2019 until his move to the banks of the Hackensack. Filling out the roster with strong fencers, Rupp worked to rebuild the Leopards program in just three short seasons, including in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An experienced technical coach, Rupp emphasizes fostering 'grit' with his fencers through team endurance-building and muscle development. Internationally, Rupp has recruited fencers at previous stops from all corners of the globe, including throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, which will increase women's fencing's role of elevating FDU's mission to provide a global education.

"I look forward to help this team realize its national potential and empowering our fencers to perform their best, exceeding their individual expectations," said Rupp. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut and [Senior Associate Athletic Director] Jason Young for the opportunity to build this program and lunge it into a new era."

Rupp also serves as a coach with two clubs, Queens Fencing Club and Great Neck Recreation.

Connect with FDU women's fencing on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsFence.