The Kansas City Fencing Center is under the direction of Executive Director Kelly Williams. Coach Williams is certified to coach foil, epee, and sabre by the United States Fencing Association and the United States Fencing Coaches Association.

Ms. Williams comes to us from Chapel Hill, NC where she received her degree in Physical Education at the University of North Carolina. Prior to her move to Kansas, she was the Executive Director at North Carolina State University 1989-91 and Assistant Coach at University of North Carolina 1992-96.

In October of 1998 she became the first American fencer ever to win a silver medal at a Senior World Championship event.

The United States Fencing Association voted her the 1998 Female Athlete of the Year. Kelly is a 4 time US National Individual Champion, and lead 2 teams to US Women's Sabre National titles.

She represented the United States at the 1999 Senior World Championships in Seoul Korea. Coach Williams was the #1 ranked female sabre fencer in the US until retiring from competition to focus on coaching. Coach Williams served on the Board of Directors for the United States Fencing Association. She served as chairperson for the Kansas Division of the USFA 2001-02.

In collegiate competition Coach Williams' students successfully competed in medal rounds of NCAA Regional and National Fencing Championships. Ms Williams' students have placed within the finals (top eight) nationally in every United States Fencing Association sabre age group.

The USFA has acknowledged Kelly's coaching expertise by choosing her as Instructor of Level 2 and 3 Sabre at the USFA Coaches College held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Coach Williams was the 2004/05 Chair person of the United States Fencing Association Youth Development Committee.

Ben is a certified instructor in both Foil and Saber by the United States Fencing Association. He also has his certification in Sport Safety Training from the American Red Cross / U.S. Olympic Committee, and is certified by the American Coaching Effectiveness Program as a coach of young athletes. He has worked as a coach for the Kansas City Fencing Center since the fall of 2003, prior to which he was Team Captain of our Competitive Program.

Ben was an active competitor for five years, consistently ranked among the top fencers nationally in his age group.

In addition to his love for fencing, Ben has a passion for art and is currently a student at JCCC pursuing a degree in Graphic Art. It is not uncommon to see our young fencers sharing their sketchbooks with Ben to get his feedback on their artwork.

Ben, in a very patient and playful manner, easily communicates with his students his passion for fencing, art and life.