EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - HEAD FENCING COACH PHILIP DALY

    Coach Philip Daly’s lifelong passion for fencing began at the age of 12, marking the start of an extraordinary journey in the sport. Fencing quickly became a proud family tradition, with four of his brothers also taking up the sport. This legacy extended to the next generation, as Coach Daly’s son Jeffrey, grandchildren Liam and Ryan, and nephew Shane all tried fencing, reflecting the deep-rooted influence of the sport within his family.

In 1977, at just 17 years old, Coach Daly began fencing saber and rapidly ascended the ranks, placing fourth and seventh in his first two national saber tournaments. His commitment and skill established him as a nationally ranked Sabre fencer.

The following year, at age 18, Coach Daly expanded his involvement in the sport by refereeing high school fencing competitions in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, demonstrating his dedication to the development of fencing at the grassroots level.

In 1979, at the age of 19, Coach Daly enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served with distinction until 1985. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant after only three years, six months, and one day. While stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, Coach Daly was assigned as a Security Trainer, overseeing protocols, lesson plans, and quality assurance for the Security Police Squadron. Despite his military commitments, Daly continued fencing with a German Fencing Club, maintaining his connection to the sport.

At McConnell Air Force Base, Daly’s excellence was recognized through multiple awards, including Non-Commissioned Officer of the Month, Quarter, and Year for the Security Police Squadron, and NCO of the Quarter for the base and the Wing. He also volunteered as a "Big Brother" and worked part-time to support his family, highlighting his commitment to service both in and out of uniform.

After leaving the Air Force in 1985, Coach Daly joined the Suffolk County Police Department. Within his first two years, he was designated a "Field Training Officer," responsible for mentoring and training new precinct members. In 1992, he was promoted to Detective and participated in over 40,000 felony criminal investigations before his retirement, a testament to his dedication and expertise in law enforcement.

Coach Daly’s refereeing career flourished in 1992 when he became a nationally rated Fencing Referee for all three disciplines: Épée, Foil, and Sabre. He officiated for the United States Fencing Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), eventually serving as Chief Referee for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).

As Chief Referee, Daly was instrumental in recruiting, assigning, and training collegiate fencing referees for top universities, including Boston College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Princeton, St. John’s, Penn, Vassar, Yale, and for major events like the Intercollegiate Fencing Championships and NCAA National Championships. He is particularly proud of his efforts to diversify the pool of collegiate fencing referees.

In 1996, Coach Daly and his wife Christina founded Proprintwear, a screen printing and embroidery business that became the "Official Merchandiser" for the United States Fencing Association. Daly also served as the "Official Photographer" for USA Fencing, promoting the sport and financially supporting fencing development at all levels—local, regional, national, international, and collegiate.

Proprintwear was also the “Official Merchandiser” for the Suffolk County Police Memorial Fund, which supports the families of fallen police officers. Daly’s commitment to law enforcement extended through countless hours and financial support for this vital cause.

With over thirty years of experience coaching baseball, fencing, football, and soccer, Coach Daly’s impact on youth sports is both broad and deep. As Director of the Long Island Fencers’ Club, he established a fencing coach mentoring program for high school and collegiate fencers, as well as for high school fencing coaches. By August 2025, the club had engaged ten female fencers/coaches, helping them begin or advance their journey in Olympic fencing. In response, USA Fencing created a junior coaching membership to accredit younger student coaches.

In 2023, Coach Daly was one of only ten fencing coaches nationwide selected for the Susan Crown Exchange Fellowship through the Million Coaches Challenge (MCC). His participation strengthens the Long Island Fencers’ Club Student Coach initiative, sharing his expertise to further the project’s objectives.

In August 2025, Coach Daly was nominated and selected as Vice Chairperson for the USA Fencing Long Island Division. His leadership extends beyond the club, driving volunteer initiatives such as food drives, environmental beautification, cancer car washes, and adopt-a-highway programs, illustrating his dedication to community service.

Coach Daly is a Lifetime Coach with the United States Fencing Association, SafeSport trained, criminal background checked, Red Cross certified, and Boy Scouts of America Youth Training certified. He holds national ratings as a Fencing Referee in all three disciplines.

Coach Philip Daly’s career reflects a remarkable blend of athletic achievement, military and law enforcement service, entrepreneurial spirit, and community leadership. As Executive Director and Head Sabre Coach of the Long Island Fencers’ Club, his legacy continues to inspire fencers, coaches, and community members, shaping the future of fencing on Long Island and beyond.