Northwestern University Athletics
Dennis Kolakowski Joins Northwestern Fencing as Assistant
12/30/2020 9:27:00 AM | Women's Fencing
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern's nationally recognized fencing program will be bringing in former USA Fencing Spirit of Sport award winner Dennis Kolakowski as an assistant coach.
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"We are excited to have Dennis joining our fencing coaching staff," Head Coach Zach Moss said. "We conducted a large international search and found a tremendous fit for our program in Dennis. I was extremely impressed with his dedication to the craft of coaching, adaptability and flexibility in coaching style, attention to detail, and commitment to the complete student-athlete experience. I am confident that our student-athletes will greatly benefit from his instruction and feedback, particularly our saber fencers."
Kolakowski joins NU after previously running the Kolakowski Sabre Academy and The Phoenix Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He has been coaching for over 20 years in the New York City/Tri-State Area, having won the Nassau County Coach of the Year and the Costello Award for Outstanding Long Island High School Coach each on three occasions.
"I'm very excited to be joining a historic program that is Northwestern," Kolakowski said. "Under Coach Moss's leadership NU has established themselves as a perennial powerhouse and I look forward to being a part of the continuing evolution of Wildcat Fencing."
In his career Dennis' students have won over 50 National Medals across multiple age groups, genders, divisions, and weapons. Dennis' students have competed in a multitude of International Events, highlighted by a Gold Medal at the 2019 Maccabi Games in Budapest.
In addition to running his own academy in the states, Kolakowski has experience as a coach on the international level and as a referee abroad as well. As owner, his club won the 2019 USA Fencing Club of Excellence award following his efforts to grow the sport as well as promoting diversity within fencing.
Kolakowski has been President of the Nassau County Fencing Coaches Association, and currently serves as the vice chair of the Hudson Berkshire Division of USA Fencing.
"I'm very excited to be joining a historic program that is Northwestern," Kolakowski said. "Under Coach Moss's leadership NU has established themselves as a perennial powerhouse and I look forward to being a part of the continuing evolution of Wildcat Fencing."
In his career Dennis' students have won over 50 National Medals across multiple age groups, genders, divisions, and weapons. Dennis' students have competed in a multitude of International Events, highlighted by a Gold Medal at the 2019 Maccabi Games in Budapest.
In addition to running his own academy in the states, Kolakowski has experience as a coach on the international level and as a referee abroad as well. As owner, his club won the 2019 USA Fencing Club of Excellence award following his efforts to grow the sport as well as promoting diversity within fencing.
Kolakowski has been President of the Nassau County Fencing Coaches Association, and currently serves as the vice chair of the Hudson Berkshire Division of USA Fencing.
"Throughout the process, Dennis demonstrated a commitment to a growth mindset and the values that we try to live by day to day in our program," said Moss. "He is dedicated to life-long learning, collaborative and communicative coaching, and working tirelessly to help his students grow as fencers and as people. He is someone who will step in and immediately have a positive impact on the lives and training of our student-athletes. We can't wait for him to get started with our program!"
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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