The Three Touches That Changed Columbia

A Proactive Coaching podcast interview with Michael Aufrichtig, head men's and women's fencing coach at Columbia University since 2011 and winner of three NCAA team championships, hosted by Bruce Brown. Topics covered: his unusual path from fencing equipment sales and tech sales to NCAA head coach with no prior coaching experience; "always be learning"; rebuilding Columbia after an 18-year championship drought by finding athletes who truly want to be there; the three touches against Harvard that changed Columbia fencing; his Moneyball-style recruiting analytics (the best five-touch fencer beats the highest-ranked fencer); turning an individual sport into a team sport; "customize your communication" — asking athletes how they want to be spoken to; captains as a management team (elections, speeches, weekly meetings, first-year books); a culture where "I love you" is said leaving practice; a purpose that evolved from winning titles to preparing student-athletes to lead the world in 10-20 years; book recommendations (Choke by Sian Beilock; Help the Helper); and advice for the next generation: listen, and quality over quantity.