The university first fielded a team in 1898, under the leadership of coach James Murray.

It has captured the NCAA national title 16 times,[citation needed] most recently in 2019.

The team has also won 52 Ivy League Championships, capturing both the Men's and Women's titles outright in 2019.

[4] Columbia grad Alen Hadzic was named as an alternate to the 2021 Olympic team, but was suspended by the United States Center for SafeSport (SafeSport) due to findings of an investigation following allegations of rape and other sexual misconduct; an arbitrator later reduced his sanction, allowing him to go to Tokyo, though he did not fence.

[9][5] In June 2023, Hadzic was banned from fencing in the US for life by SafeSport, due to his sexual misconduct.