Bay Regional Fencing Alliance
Serving the Great Lakes Bay Region
BOARD MEMBERS & COACHES
Matthew Jacobs
President/Epee Coach
Matthew discovered fencing in 2022 when his daughter joined Bay Regional Fencing Alliance. That season, he opted to try their beginner's class for parents and has been in love with the sport ever since. Although he started as a foilest, he has been all in on Epee for the last 18 months, earning his E in the 2025 season. Matthew has served as Chair for the board at BRFA for the past 2 seasons. Outside of fencing, Matthew works as an engineer, enjoys cycling and mountain biking, and loves spending time with his wife, Rachel and daughter, Sophie.
Nathan Bass
Treasurer/Foil Coach
Nathan has been fencing foil for over 20 years. He trained for a few years under Maestro Leonid Shapiro out of RFC. He was a founding member of Three Rivers Fencing Club in Midland, Michigan. He instructed fencing courses and coached at Central Michigan University for 5 years.
Ky Mankel
Secretary
Ky began fencing in the fall of 2024 after first discovering the sport through her university’s
fencing club. A few years later, she found Bay Regional Fencing Alliance (BRFA) and, despite
not knowing anyone there, decided to enroll in a beginner class. Her cohort was the last to focus
exclusively on foil, and she quickly developed a passion for the weapon and sport, continuing on
with private lessons after completing the course.
Since then, Ky has expanded her skills by taking intermediate classes in both foil and saber, as
well as the advanced class in foil. Along the way, she discovered a love for both weapons and
has continued to grow as a fencer.
Outside of fencing, Ky works in grant compliance and Neighborhood Services for Saginaw-
Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis when the weather
allows and is rarely seen without an iced coffee in hand.
Shannon Calay
Tournament Director
Shannon has been a member of Bay Regional Fencing Alliance since January 2023. Previously, I fenced at Cabrillo Academy of the Sword in San Diego, California (1993-2000), the University of Miami, Florida (1988-1991) and the Roeper School (1983-1988). After retiring from a career with the National Marine Fisheries Service, I completed a teaching certification program at SVSU in May and I’m currently teaching 4th grade at Hampton Elementary in Bay City. My husband of 33 years, Robert Calay, also fences at BRFA and is the armorer.
Robert Calay
Armorer
Robert served as armorer for the San Diego Division for 3 years and the Cabrillo Academy of the Sword for 2 years.
Matt Oxie
Beginner, Saber, and Conditioning Coach/At Large Member
Hello! Most of you know me, but just in case you don’t, my name is Matt, but most people call me by my last name, Oxie (both are correct). I am currently the beginner coach, the intermediate saber coach, and the competitive conditioning coach at BRFA. I have been fencing for nearly a decade, and have been involved as a leader at BRFA for about 3 years.
Jeff Edwards
At Large Member
Professionally, I am a Professor at Central Michigan University in the College of
Health Professions (approaching retirement). I have a PhD in physiology and exercise
physiology. I have served as a consultant for several universities, national sports
governing bodies, professional athletic teams and I am past member both the
American College of Sports Medicine and of the Midwest American College of Sports
Medicine, as well as its past president.
I started fencing in 1973. Initially, I took an introductory class my sophomore year;
by the end of the semester, I was on the university fencing team. I competed for the
team, as a foilist, for the next 3 years. That has turned out to be a passion, which I
pursued when available, for more than fifty years.
Most recently I started back, switching to epee for the first time, joining the Bay
Regional Fencing Alliance in September 2024. I have been impressed with the
commitment and camaraderie of the members and the board.
IN MEMORIAM
Tom Evangelisti 2017
"The Next Touch."
Though Tom got involved in fencing in his later years, his love for fencing caused him to be quite active in USA Fencing both on the Divisional and National levels. He held office of Division Chair for multiple years. Tom competed in all three weapons over the years , but settled down to fencing, almost exclusively, foil. He was dedicated to teaching others the sport he loves.