Gerard Esponda (1984) - Hall of Fame - University of San Francisco Athletics

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Gerard Esponda

Class

1968
Induction

1984
Sport(s)

Fencing

All-American, 1967
NCAA Men's Foil Champion, 1968
Eighth Ranked Amateur Fencer in the U.S., 1968

Gerard Adolfo Esponda was born in Mexico and attended Mission High School. He transferred to USF from San Francisco City College. His father was a graduate of the Mexican Military Academy, and his grandfather and great-grandfather were accomplished swordsmen in the Mexican Army. He began fencing for USF in 1967 as the only man on the team, and was named All-American. At the National Collegiate Fencing Championships, as a junior, he placed second after completing 90 bouts with different members of 34 teams over two days. His achievement earned him First Team All-American, and ended the Eastern Coast college domination of college fencing.

As a senior, he won the 1968 NCAA Foils Championship, winning 37 of 39 matches. In 1968, he was the 8^th-ranked amateur fencer in the United States. At USF, he was named to the All-American Team for foil. He also won top honors that year in qualifying for the Olympics. The Foghorn named him USF Athlete of the Year. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor’s in Arts, and has served as Grand Master for the Presidio’s Letterman Fencing Club. In 1976, he co-owned The Marin Fencing Academy in San Rafael, CA.

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