Arpad Horvath was named the interim head coach of the MIT men’s and women’s fencing programs in September 2025. No stranger to the Engineers, he previously served as the epee coach from 2010-2012.
Horvath has been the co-owner and head coach of Vivo Fencing Club since 2012. Simultaneously, he was the epee coach at Brandeis University from 2015-2022. Horvath’s intercollegiate coaching career began in 2005 with a two-year stint as the epee coach at Stevens Institute of Technology. His previous coaching experience includes five years as the epee head coach at North Shore Fencers Club and two years as the foil coach at the Manhattan Fencing Center.
A graduate of St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, Horvath was a two-time NCAA Champion in 2002 and 2004. He was the 1997 World and European Men’s Epee Champion, and he was a member of medal-winning teams at the Junior World Championships and World University Games. In addition, Horvath captured multiple Hungarian National Epee and Foil Championships.
As a coach, Horvath helped guide Alex House, a Junior World Team member, to first place at the 2013 North American Cup. He mentored Isabella DiTella of the Argentine National Team, guided teams to top placements in cadet, junior, and collegiate events, and developed youth athletes who achieved podium finishes at the Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals.
