Coaches

D.C. Pixie Roane: Head Coach and Founder. Maître d' Épée, Prévôt d’Armes.

D.C. Pixie Roane began her fencing studies in 1985 in New York City at Long Island City High School under the tutelage of Ms. Gladys Eaton. Since then, she has served as a member of the Hunter College Women's Fencing Team, a member of the Empire State Games Fencing Team, and qualifier to the U.S.F.A. nationals in 1988, 1998 thru 2006 and 2011-2012.

After completing her Freshman year at Hunter College, Pixie served in the United States Army beginning May 24th, 1990 and was Honorably Discharged on September 18th, 1991 after serving in Alabama, Virginia and Texas. Pixie served during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990 as a member of the 13th CosCom RD in Fort Hood, Texas. Upon her discharge from service, she transferred to Temple University in January, 1992. 

During the years 1993-1997, she was a scholarship athlete at Temple University fencing under US Olympic Team member and Hall of Famer Dr. Nikki Franke. Pixie fenced both foil and epee while fencing for Temple. During those years, she medaled at prestigious collegiate tournaments such as the Penn State Open and was one of the members of the first ever Epee Championships Gold Medal Team (1995). At the 1998 and 2005 United States Fencing Championships, she was the bronze medalist in the Division III Women's Epee Championships.

It was in September of 1998 when Pixie established the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club. Since then, success has continued producing Junior Olympic fencers in all disciplines, US Fencing All Academic Scholar Athletes, Finalists and Medalists at US Fencing Super Youth Regional Circuits, US Fencing North American Circuits, and US Fencing Summer Nationals Championships. During the 2010 US Fencing Summer National Championships, success was highlighted with the coaching of one of her Panther Fencers for the Gold medal in the Division III Women’s Epee. Due to this achievement, Pixie received the Coach’s Medal presented to her by her Gold medal athlete. In the summer of 2021, one of her own  students, Jacob Hoyle, represented USA Fencing Men’s Individual and Team Epee as an athlete of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In addition to coaching, Pixie continues to compete in all disciplines representing the Black in Women in Sport Foundation and the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club, referee for the NIWFA, MACFA and USFCC collegiate events,  Secretary of the NIWFA, nominated and decreed by the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association (2018 -2021), a Certified Level II USFA Armorer, a Certified Level 3 Foil, Level 2 Sabre and Level 4 Epee instructor (US Fencing Association Coaches College) and 3 weapon Moniteur with the United States Fencing Coaches Association. Pixie was awarded in August 2017 her Prévôt de Sabre through the USFCA, then in August of 2019, was awarded her Prévôt de Fleuret (Foil). On July 4th, 2025, Coach Pixie successfully completed each requirement for certification as a Master of Epee, concluding with her Master Thesis, “Foundations of Fencing via Education "En" Epee. She is the first African American/Black Woman to have the decree of Fencing Master in the history / herstory of the sport as well as the decree of Prévôt d’Armes. (Foil, Épée, and Sabre.)

Pixie graduated from Temple University, College of Health, Physical Education. Recreation and Dance with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical. Education and Dance (teaching specialty) with a minor in Dance Theater in May 1997. One year later in May of 1998, Pixie was inducted into Temple University’s Gallery of Success located in Mitten Hall. Later in the Fall Semester in 1998, Pixie was also inducted into Temple University’s College of Education’s Gallery of Success located in Ritter Annex Building.

 In May 2010, Pixie received her Master of Science in Health Education from Widener University. She continues as a Health, Physical Education and Dance teacher at Strath Haven Middle School, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District and Head Coach and Founder of the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club.