400 and counting

Fencing coach Kaidanov on legendary pace after 400th win

Before reading the sports section last Monday morning, Emmanuil Kaidanov was unaware he had won his 400th career dual meet as Penn State fencing coach on Saturday.

In his defense, he wasn't counting.

For Kaidanov, the 400-win milestone was just another honor in his 16-year career filled with success, and a testament to the strength of the Lion fencing team.

"It's kind of a pleasant number. But I'd prefer 1000 (wins)," Kaidanov said. "It shows the Penn State program is pretty good. I'm pleased, but still hungry."

- Fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov

Kaidanov said his best moments as a coach occurred at the NCAA Championships. His teams have claimed five national championships in the '90s -- the most special being the overall championship the Lions won in 1990 and the women's championship the following year. He said he wanted to prove to Beth Alphin, his friend and predecessor as women's coach, the team was in good hands.

"(Winning the women's championship) was something I always wanted," said Kaidanov, who also took over the women's team in 1985. "My predecessors did it three times. I wanted to show (Alphin) that her efforts were not wasted and Penn State could be on top again."

Kaidanov will be the first to admit he could not have reached the 400-win mark without the assistance of quality fencers. Olga Kalinovskaya won four straight national championship in women's foil from 1993 to 1996. And between them, Olympians Thomas Strzalkowski and Peter Cox won four national titles for Kaidanov. But the coach considers Adam Feldman to be his best success. Feldman, a 1987 graduate of Penn State, joined the team as a unheralded freshman and ended up winning the national championship in 1986.

Kaidanov's coaching techniques are revered by his athletes. Men's team captain Tom Peng said Kaidanov's techniques go far beyond typical methods. Rather than focusing his team on one specific technique, Kaidanov emphasizes the mental aspects.

"Coach Kaidanov likes to work on specific strategies in your head," Peng said. "When he's coaching on the sideline, he's always talking about how to outthink your opponent."

Kaidanov admits when he's not running a tough practice, coaching is a lot of fun. Peng echoes that sentiment. In fact, it may be difficult to tell who has more fun -- the fencers or their coach.

"I always picture coach just joking around," Peng said. "He has a serious side, and he can get angry. But he has a very good sense of humor. He wants to be a part of the team, and I think we respond to that."

Kaidanov said the best advice he gave to his most successful fencers is the same advice he gives to all who learn from him.

"Have a passion," he said. "Passion owns the world. The one who has passion is the big winner."

Certainly, Kaidanov's passion when he took his current position at Penn State did not include gaining 400 victories. It was a passion to restructure the Penn State team.

"I never thought about (400 victories)," he said. "I tried to build the program and build an environment for the team. I wanted to convince the administration that the collegiate calendar is not enough to excel."

It would be hard to argue that Kaidanov's original goals have not been fulfilled. This season, Penn State fencers competed in individual tournaments across the nation from Rochester, N.Y., to Oakland, Calif., and in Canada.

This season, the fencers will look once again to take home a national title. But after that, Kaidanov will be looking to maintain and improve the quality of Penn State's fencing program -- a goal for which the coach has developed an intricate recipe.

"There are many ingredients," Kaidanov said. "You need a creative approach, goal setting and a strong environment for the team to grow."

With his plan in place, the 1000th win may not be that far away.