Western University is proud to announce that Robert Foxcroft is being inducted into the Western University Sports Hall of Fame (posthumous). On Friday Oct 19, 2018 there is a gala celebration in London and we would like to let as many fencers know and invite everyone who knew Bob to come out for the party. Please visit the event page Here.
Robert “Bob” Foxcroft coached the Western men’s and women’s fencing teams from 1969-1981 leading his teams to four Ontario Championships. Such was his dedication that when his job took him to Toronto in the late 70s he still commuted to London to coach. A former Canadian Olympian in 1964 and 1972, Bob also competed in fencing at three Pan Am Games, two Commonwealth Games and two World Championships.
Bob coached several high profile Western fencers including Western’s first OUAA individual champion in 1970-71 Rob Nichol and Hall of Fame Inductees Sabine Nolke and Brigitte Gagne. He also coached current Western fencing coach Carol Christie. Carol recalls being coached by Bob was like “facing a freight train – he came at you strong and fast”. Carol recalls that Bob was part of a group that initiated, supported, and ran the Canadian Memorial Heroes Fencing Tournament that began in 1954 and held at Western traditionally on Thanksgiving weekend until 2007. It was the longest running open competition in Canada and attracted hundreds of fencers from across Canada, the USA and other countries.
In Carol’s words “Bob gave his fencers 20 years of help, support and encouragement. He inspired us and his presence is still felt today”. Currently the Women’s Most Valuable Fencer is presented with the Robert Foxcroft and Robert Nichol Award.