Spotlight on Stephen Fisher and Bowling Green
Spotlight on Stephen Fisher and Bowling Green
Summer is coming in hot this year at the Sword Experience. Adrian Paul has traveled the globe with his fitness and sword fight program, cultivating a large following of people that share a common love of swords, fitness, and fandom of action films. This June, we’re excited to bring the Sword Experience to Bowling Green, Kentucky thanks to Musketeer and Sword Partner Stephen Fisher. We had a chance to speak with Stephen a little about Bowling Green, his past with the Sword Experience, and got to know more about one of Adrian Paul’s most trusted Sword Partner’s and Musketeers.
Sword Experience (SXP): First, tell us a little about yourself. What is the Bowling Green Fencing Academy? What does the Bowling Green Fencing Academy offer? How long have you been in operation?
Stephen Fisher (SF): I am a fencing coach from Bowling Green, KY. Home of the Corvette. I started fencing at the age of 12 (1996) at our local University’s fencing club. After returning from my tour in Baghdad, Iraq, (2006-07) I began my fencing teaching career in 2008. Throughout the years I’ve been a rated fencer in foil, épée, and sabre, a 3-weapon referee and coach. I trained members of our national Paralympic team, and served as a secretary for the US Fencing Coaches Association and tournament chairmen for the KY Division of USA Fencing. I’m also an amateur fencing historian, and collector and trader of antique and vintage fencing weapons and texts.
The Bowling Green Fencing Academy was founded by myself in June of 2012. The University’s intramural sport club was closed to everyone except students, faculty and staff. So, my goal was to start my own business, offering the sport for the first time to the public in Bowling Green. Bowling Green Fencing Academy will turn 7 this year! We offer beginners classes for ages 6 to adult, as well as intermediate and advanced group classes and individual lessons. I teach the modern Italian Olympic school of fencing and we are a 3-weapon club. I also teach theatrical fencing courses where we look at the works of prominent fight masters Fred Cavens, William Hobbs, and Bob Anderson. If you’d like to learn more about BGFA, you can visit the website at www.bgfencingacademy.com.
SXP: What initially brought you to the Sword Experience?
SF: A fellow fencer and collector, Roy Tyler, brought it to my attention a few years ago. As I was a fan of the Highlander series, I had to check it out. I thought it was a great idea that Mr. Paul was teaching fight choreography classes, and the fact he was taught by the late Sword Master Bob Anderson during the first two seasons of Highlander. My friend ended up traveling to the 1st Chicago Elite Experience. Then, as a Father’s Day gift to myself, I attended the Knoxville, TN Sword Experience in 2017. It was a blast! The event was a Con experience and ended up running from 7pm to close to midnight!
SXP: It looks like you’ve worked with Adrian in the past in Lexington. How was it working with Adrian as a Sword Partner?
SF: Correct, I was his Sword Partner, and worked as a Musketeer to help promote the event. I grew up watching Highlander and the chance to work with Adrian Paul is something I’d never thought would happen. I feel the Lexington event went very well. He is a courteous, down to earth professional who knows exactly what he wants to do. He pays attention to every detail to ensure the safety of the participants, and has excellent control of large groups and the structure of the Sword Experience itself. I’m forward to working with him again on June 1st.
SXP: Why do you think Bowling Green will be a good fit for the Sword Experience?
SF: I feel we are in a great location geographically. Bowling Green is a great city with a lot to do, for example, we have Lost River Cave, which is one of the few places in the United States where you can take an underground boat tour, or you can visit the Corvette Museum and plant.
SXP: As a Musketeer, you helped us find the Historic Railpark and Train museum. What were some of the challenges finding this place, and why do you think it’s a good place to hold the final fight?
SF: I scouted out several other locations around town, one including a river walk bridge, and of course the Railpark. We had decided to do the warm up and training portion at my club, and the train museum is conveniently located across the street. the Historic Railpark has a great atmosphere and several episodes throughout the Highlander series had scenes near a railyard. We have access to film inside the Historic lobby and around the railcars on site. It will make a great backdrop for the final video as the participants will be learning a fight choreographed by F. Braun McAsh from the Highlander episode “Methuselah’s Gift” that was directed by Adrian Paul himself. Exciting! Sword Experience aside, the Historic L&N Depot was the hub to reach Louisville, KY and south to Nashville, TN.
We here at the Sword Experience are just as excited as Stephen Fisher is to bring one of the best fitness and sword training events to Bowling Green, Kentucky. We’re even more proud of the wonderful work Stephen has done with us throughout the years. He is a cherished and valued member of the Sword Experience team. If you’d like to learn more about how to become a Musketeer, click here. Or if you believe you have the qualifications to be one of Adrian’s Sword Partners, email us a description of your expertise as well as a video of you work, so we can see you in action, to contact@swordxp.com
Whether you’re passionate about swords, Highlander, historic trains, or classic cars, we’re sure that Bowling Green is going to be your next great adventure that you will talk about for ages.
