Ivy@50: Bob Cottingham

When Bob Cottingham arrived as a freshman sabre fencer in 1984, Columbia fencing had not won an NCAA title since 1971. When he graduated in 1988, the program just won its second straight championship and would go on to win five titles in seven years. Cottingham was key to the revival of this elite program.

Growing up in Orange, N.J., he "played football and lacrosse, which is my favorite sport," he says. "I can also remember watching other athletes on television in the Olympics." He would soon join those athletes on the Olympic stage.

For Stephen Eschenbach's full story, please visit Ivy@50.