6th year at Penn State
(Duke, `73)
David Ling is in his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Penn State fencing program. Ling returned to the program after serving as an assistant with the Nittany Lions from 1992-1994, during which time he also completed a formal two-year program of study of fencing training methods and techniques under head coach Emmanuil Kaidanov.
Ling was a varsity letter-winner at Duke University, where he competed in the men[apos]s saber while pursuing his Bachelors Degree in chemistry. Following graduation, David served for 20 years as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. He earned an MBA from the University of Nebraska in 1991 and went on to work in the private business sector from 1994 until 2003.
Coach Ling brings extensive competitive experience and coaching knowledge to the Penn State program. He has studied under four different fencing Maestros from around the world, including Kaidanov. Coach Ling has been certified as a fencing coach through the U.S. Fencing Association[apos]s National Coaches College and the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association.
In addition to his years as an assistant at Penn State, Ling has served as a fencing coach at clubs in various cities since 1984. During his competitive career, Ling was selected to the U.S. National Olympic Squad, and his last ranking on the North American Circuit was 20th in 1986.