Seoung Woo Lee Retires After 15 Seasons on Fencing's Coaching Staff
7/21/2026 9:25:00 AM | Fencing
Lee was a part of three NCAA Championship teams and mentored six individual national champions
NEW YORK — Seoung Woo Lee, a key member of Columbia fencing's coaching staff, has retired after 15 seasons as an assistant coach.
Lee joined the Lions in 2011 as the first assistant coach hired by head coach Michael Aufrichtig. During Lee's tenure, the Lions won 16 Ivy League team championships, claimed three NCAA team titles and developed individual All-Americans, NCAA Champions and Ivy League Champions.
While the championship results speak for themselves, Lee's influence reached well beyond competition.
"Seoung Woo has been one of the foundations of our program for the past 15 years," Aufrichtig said. "Seoung Woo's impact goes far beyond results. He helped shape a culture built on trust, humility, loyalty, and the belief that we put the person before the performer. He cares deeply about our fencers, not only as athletes, but as people, and that is a major reason Columbia fencing has become a standard for collegiate fencing programs around the world.
"As he continues to develop his fencing club, Top Fencing, we know he'll continue to positively impact the lives of countless young fencers. We look forward to continuing to work with him and wish him nothing but success."
Lee played an integral role in every phase of Columbia's rise, from recruiting and athlete development to building a program culture that consistently produced national contenders. His work helped the Lions continue as one of the nation's elite programs.
As he reflected on his career at Columbia, Lee said the relationships he built meant more than any championship trophy.
"Looking back on this journey, my heart is filled with great pride and gratitude," Lee said. "From Ivy League titles to NCAA championships, we truly reached the highest level of college fencing. But even more than the big wins, I am proud of the great team culture and the lifelong friendships we created together.
"Thank you to the athletics staff and administration for your strong support. Your hard work made our success on the strip possible. To the coaching staff, it has been an honor to work alongside you. Thank you for your leadership, collaboration, and great friendship over the last 15 years. To my fencers, you are the true success of my career. Watching you fight on the strip and grow into wonderful leaders has been my greatest joy. Thank you for your trust, your hard work, and your dedication.
"The program has a strong foundation, and I know the future of Columbia Fencing is very bright."
Away from Columbia, Lee founded and leads Top Fencing Club, where he has coached numerous national and international competitors. With his retirement from collegiate coaching, he will devote more time to developing young athletes through the club while remaining a valued member of the fencing community.
Lee joined the Lions in 2011 as the first assistant coach hired by head coach Michael Aufrichtig. During Lee's tenure, the Lions won 16 Ivy League team championships, claimed three NCAA team titles and developed individual All-Americans, NCAA Champions and Ivy League Champions.
While the championship results speak for themselves, Lee's influence reached well beyond competition.
"Seoung Woo has been one of the foundations of our program for the past 15 years," Aufrichtig said. "Seoung Woo's impact goes far beyond results. He helped shape a culture built on trust, humility, loyalty, and the belief that we put the person before the performer. He cares deeply about our fencers, not only as athletes, but as people, and that is a major reason Columbia fencing has become a standard for collegiate fencing programs around the world.
"As he continues to develop his fencing club, Top Fencing, we know he'll continue to positively impact the lives of countless young fencers. We look forward to continuing to work with him and wish him nothing but success."
Lee played an integral role in every phase of Columbia's rise, from recruiting and athlete development to building a program culture that consistently produced national contenders. His work helped the Lions continue as one of the nation's elite programs.
As he reflected on his career at Columbia, Lee said the relationships he built meant more than any championship trophy.
"Looking back on this journey, my heart is filled with great pride and gratitude," Lee said. "From Ivy League titles to NCAA championships, we truly reached the highest level of college fencing. But even more than the big wins, I am proud of the great team culture and the lifelong friendships we created together.
"Thank you to the athletics staff and administration for your strong support. Your hard work made our success on the strip possible. To the coaching staff, it has been an honor to work alongside you. Thank you for your leadership, collaboration, and great friendship over the last 15 years. To my fencers, you are the true success of my career. Watching you fight on the strip and grow into wonderful leaders has been my greatest joy. Thank you for your trust, your hard work, and your dedication.
"The program has a strong foundation, and I know the future of Columbia Fencing is very bright."
Away from Columbia, Lee founded and leads Top Fencing Club, where he has coached numerous national and international competitors. With his retirement from collegiate coaching, he will devote more time to developing young athletes through the club while remaining a valued member of the fencing community.
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