Ed Kaihatsu Position: Associate Head Coach Experience: 18th Season Alma Mater: Illinois, 1983

Edward Kaihatsu returns for his 18th season with the Wildcat fencing program. Prior to the 2006-07 season, Kaihatsu was promoted to associate head coach of Northwestern's women's fencing team and the men's club team.

"Ed has been invaluable in the rise of the Northwestern fencing program," said head coach Laurie Schiller. "We have worked as partners in this enterprise for years and it is only appropriate that the university recognize his contribution with this promotion."

Kaihatsu earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1983 from the University of Illinois. He was a first-team All-America and Big Ten fencing champion his senior season. He then went to the University of Pennsylvania, where in 1986, he coached the Quakers to their first women's NCAA Championship. Kaihatsu also coached two Olympians.

"I am very pleased to be named associate head fencing coach for the Northwestern women's fencing team," said Kaihatsu. "It has been a pleasure to work for Northwestern and this athletic department for the past 16 years. I am grateful for their recognition of my efforts and I look forward to continuing the success of this program."

Prior to coming to NU in 1989, Kaihatsu spent five years competing in tournaments around the world. In 1983 and 1985, he reached the finals at the U.S. National Championships.

In 1985 and 1986, Kaihatsu was ranked fourth in North America in men's foil, his highest ranking to date. In 1985 and 1986, he was a member of the World Championship Team in Barcelona, Spain and Sofia, Bulgaria. In 1985 and 1987, he was a member of the United States team at the World University Games in Kobe, Japan and Zagreb, Croatia. Kaihatsu became the 2000 National Veterans Foil Champion and successfully defended his title in 2001 and 2004. He also holds the 2001 National Veterans Sabre title.

While on leave, Kaihatsu re-earned his international `A' Rating in foil, which he's had since 1981 and earned a `B' rating in sabre. He also holds an international referee license. He sat on the Board of Directors of the US Fencing Association as an Athlete's Representative from 1998 to 2004.

This past summer, Kaihatsu competed at the U.S. National Championships in San Jose, Calif., earning the bronze medal in the Division IA men's foil and renewing his "A" rating.

Kaihatsu and his wife, Jean, have one son, Kenji and two daughters, Anjolie and Malia.