HACKENSACK, N.J. – FDU Director of Fencing, Greg Rupp, has announced the addition of Natalia Toby to the Knights' fencing coaching staff as an assistant coach. A former FDU student-athlete and three-time captain of the women's fencing team, Toby returns to Hackensack to assist with training, player development, and all aspects of the FDU fencing program.

Toby returns to FDU following an accomplished career as both a fencer and coach. As a Knight, she was a two-time All-American and qualified for the NCAA Championships in all four seasons. She posted a 54-24 career record at the Regional Championships, including a record-setting junior-season performance that marked the best single Regional Championship finish by an FDU fencer.

Since graduating from FDU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and a minor in Global and Cultural Studies, Toby has continued to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

She has been a member of Team USA since 2023 and has competed in national and international competitions around the world. She is currently training with the goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"As a former FDU fencer, I am thrilled to be working as an assistant fencing coach at FDU," said Toby. "Since I graduated, I've trained in Paris, France, where I had the privilege of fencing alongside Olympians and World Champions and high-level coaches! During those 4 years of training at an elite level and eating a million croissants, I got to be on the fencing team for Team USA and qualified to compete at an international level. I have learned so much during my 4 years abroad, and now that I have made my way back to the US, I am happy to finally be back home! I am still competing on Team USA and hope to qualify for LA 2028. I am thrilled to be teaching these amazing girls what I have learned, and I am excited to be back at FDU- my home! GO KNIGHTS"

Toby brings extensive international training and competition experience to the Knights. From 2022-24, she trained with Levallois-Perret Sporting Club in Paris, France, participating in official training sessions alongside four Olympians preparing for the 2024 Paris Games. She also trained with World, European and Olympic champions while competing in international events.

As a member of Team USA, Toby improved her ranking from No. 21 to No. 7 in the United States women's senior rankings and earned a spot on the national team's international roster. She has competed in World Cups and Grand Prix events across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Toby also trained at the Daniel Levavasseur Academy in Paris from 2020-22, working with renowned fencing coach Daniel Levavasseur, who has coached multiple Olympic gold medalists.

Along with her competitive experience, Toby has developed a strong coaching background. From 2024-26, she served as a coach at Artud Fencing in Summit, N.J., where she assisted with training, club development and coaching operations. She led a class of 16 young fencers ages 5 to 15 and helped oversee three additional coaches.

Toby also assisted the head coach at Oratory Preparatory School with the boys' fencing team for two seasons and has served as an assistant to the head coach at the New York Athletic Club, working with collegiate-level fencers.

Toby joins the Knights ahead of the 2026-27 academic year and will immediately begin working with the FDU fencing program.
Rupp has also been elevated to Director of Fencing as FDU prepares for the inaugural season of men's fencing in 2027.