USA Fencing seeks to 'earn trust' of athletes and fans after year plagued by transgender controversies

Women's fencer Stephanie Turner speaks to Fox News Digital about the change to the USOPC's policy on trans athletes nearly four months after her protest of the issue went viral.

FIRST ON FOX: USA Fencing is looking to the future and expanding its footprint at the college level, after a year riddled with controversy and lawsuits over trans athletes in women's competitions and the replacement of its board chair. 

In October, former chair Damien Lehfeldt declined to seek re-election, and in a statement announcing the decision, he wrote, "I didn’t sign up to spend my nights and weekends dealing with lawsuits, death threats and distractions." Paralympic medalist Dr. Scott Rodgers was elected the organization's new chair, becoming the first active athlete and first parafencer to lead the board. 

"USA Fencing remains deeply committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our athletes, fans, and the wider fencing community. The election of Dr. Scott Rodgers as Board Chair reflects our dedication to athlete-centered governance and the continued growth of fencing at every level," the organization said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

"We recognize the challenges of the past several months and are focused on moving forward with integrity, transparency, and a clear vision for the future." 

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Maia Mei Weintraub (USA) competes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. ( Katie Goodale-USA Today Sports)

USA Fencing will be growing the sport at the NCAA level, announcing that Arcadia University in Pennsylvania and Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey will be adding men's and women's fencing teams to its varsity sports, beginning in fall 2027. 

"In a year when parts of