Mother knows best: Renee Oymans’ recruitment story
Temple's star fencer was living in Germany during the recruitment process, so she was not able to visit Temple in person. That’s where her mother’s influence came into play.
By Shane Farber
From fencing in European championships as a member of the German national team to closing in on 100 career wins as a member of Temple University’s women’s fencing team, international student-athlete Renee Oymann has fenced at a high level all over the world.
Oymann, a junior studying economics at Temple, had never been to the U.S. before arriving in North Philadelphia in August of her freshman year. Programs like Boston College and Wagner had recruited her, but her relationship with Temple assistant Tasia Ford and the influence of her mother led her to choose the Owls.
“When I first got here, things were very overwhelming, and it took a bit to get settled into the states because the culture and surroundings were so much different than home,” Oymann said.
“But I knew there was a great culture at Temple University because my mother visited and was very impressed,” Oymann added. “And the team made my first moments very memorable, as I remember arriving at campus for the first time and being greeted by teammates who helped me get settled.”
Oymann was living in Germany during the recruitment process, so she was not able to visit Temple in person.
That’s where her mother’s help and influence came into play.
“My mother worked in America at the time. She had an office in New York,” Oymann recalled.“So, the coaches invited her and then she visited the facility, met the coaches, people on the team, and then told me, ‘You have to go to Temple.’”
“Renee’s mother enjoyed the visit and envisioned her daughter excelling at Temple University,” Ford said.
Ford discovered Renee via Keystone Sports, a talent agency based in Germany that connects players and coaches. After reviewing Oymann’s resume and fencing highlights, they began communicating on Zoom.
“Coach Ford asked me questions about my fencing, my personal life, how I am as a team player, stuff like that,” Oymann said.
Ford soon became keen on recruiting the German fencer.
“I thought there was something special about her fencing,” Ford said. “She’s very athletic, fast, and quite agile. We needed someone like her on our team.”
Oymann is now an entrenched member of the Temple women’s fencing team. She landed her 100th career victory this season, went 42-33 during the regular season and finished 10th in the NCAA Regionals.
She has some simple advice for incoming international student athletes.
“Be ready for change and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Oymann said. “It is important to be able to ask for help, and to give yourself time to adjust.”
Front page photo courtesy of Temple Athletics
