Molly Sullivan Sliney

Who is Molly Sullivan Sliney?

Molly Sullivan Sliney is a former American foil fencer, now working as a motivational speaker and fencing instructor.

Sliney was a member of the 1988 and 1992 United States Olympic fencing teams. She also won two gold medals in the 1987 and 1991 Pan American Games. While fencing for the University of Notre Dame, she was the NCAA Women's Foil Individual Champion in 1986 and 1988. At the time she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning two individual NCAA titles. Sliney also was U.S. National Champion in 1985. In 1987, she led the Notre Dame Women's Foil Team to an NCAA championship by posting a 10-0 record in the tournament. This was the first time the Fighting Irish had ever won an NCAA Women's title in any sport. She graduated with a 160-14 record, and Notre Dame named her 1980s Female Athlete of the Decade.

Since retiring from competition in 1992, Sliney has been an active motivational speaker and fencing instructor. She primarily speaks to students, sharing her many experiences, including how she overcame the learning disability dyslexia. Her presentations focus on the importance of reading, goal-setting and improving self-esteem. She also runs after-school fencing programs at several locations in the greater-Boston area.