As we used to say, "May your swash never buckle!"
I haven't seen maceman in a while but I believe he was a former fencing standout.
It was a nod.
I only saw a few matches but had a friend who fenced. At one of them, the epee or foil snapped and sprung up and stuck in the guy's (or gal's maybe ??) neck under the mask.....Ole Miss (78 or so)...bloody mess.
I think Vandy has a team here local. I wonder if VMI (another family school) does?