THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA WATER POLO

HONORING EXCELLENCE: 2014 Hall Of Fame Induction & National Awards Dinner Hits Irvine

VOLUME 29, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2014 WATER POLO RISING IN TEXAS p.22

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF USA WATER POLO VOL. 29, NUM. 1, Spring 2014 What’s Inside... USA WATER POLO NATIONAL OFFICE ON THE COVER . . 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Inside Water...... 2 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 USA Water Polo (714) 500-5445 business • (714) 500-5449 membership • (714) 960-2431 fax inducted Ted Newland, USA WATER POLO NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Jim Sprague, Sandy 5 Meters...... 4 11360 Valley Forge Ave., HONORING Vessey-Schneider and Los Alamitos, CA 90720 EXCELLENCE: (562) 799-8506 business • (562) 799-8508 fax 2014 Hall Of Fame Induction & National Awards Dinner Hits Irvine Andy Takata into the WATER POLO Water Polo Times ...... 10 RISING IN TEXAS WEB SITE p.22 Hall of Fame this www.usawaterpolo.org past April. A Day in the Life...... 26 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Photos courtesy Laura Horvath Christopher Ramsey CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Water Polo Scene...... 27 Marty Samuels CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jim Callahan From the Deck...... 30 CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Stephanie London Krogius Lob Shots...... 34 DIRECTOR, CLUB & MEMBER PROGRAMS Claudia Dodson DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Hot Shots...... 36 Greg Mescall HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR John Abdou ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, SPORT DEVELOPMENT Christy Medigovich ReCaps OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER Anne Laurence MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER Hall of Fame...... 12 Layla Behzadian TRAVEL MANAGER Jo Fielder pg18 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Also In This Issue... Gayle Shanks FINANCE COORDINATOR Q & A with Fay Hu Mourning Jon Walters . . . 17 MARKETING COORDINATOR Annalece Montgomery DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Dejan Udovicic Remembering Phil Wooledge One Year Later MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Lou Tulley...... 17 Kathryn Manderino EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO Mai Lam Texas Water Polo. . . . . 22 SPORT GROWTH SPECIALIST, SOUTHEAST ZONE Nick Gaffey RECEPTIONIST Yiyon Lee VIDEO PRODUCER Jake Mater BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Graff (Chairman), Jeremy Laster, William Smith, Look Ahead... Ellen Estes Lee, Robert Sternfels, RoAnn Costin, Sheldon Pang, Richard Esterkin, Vicky Rogers, Ryan Bailey EDITOR Next Issue Greg Mescall > Junior Olympics Preview CONTRIBUTORS Darcy Couch, Jim Cullingham, Ed Haas, Stan Schwimer, Kelley Casey, Allen Lorentzen, Kelley L. Cox, Angela Kraus, Peter Trabucco, Paul Ciaravino, Joey Rossi, Mark Felix, Jonathan Moore, Corbin Elliott PRINTING Quad Graphics, 555 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53214 pg20 CREATIVE Adrenalin, Inc., 54 West 11th Ave., Denver, CO 80204 303-454-8888 • goadrenalin.com Brenda Villa > Intercontinental Qualifier Hits Riverside Gives Back USA Water Polo Skip Shot Magazine (ISSN# 15507580) is published A Look At Project 20/20 four times per year by United States Water Polo, Inc., located at 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Periodicals postage is paid at Huntington Beach, CA 92648 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Skip Shot Magazine, United States Water Polo, Inc., 2124 Main Street, Suite 240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 usawaterpolo.org 1 INSIDE WATER letter from the CEO, Christopher Ramsey USA WATER POLO

Changes Coming For Water Polo

After years of status quo, there appears to be serious interest in Whatever shape the rules take—and you may see some USAWP-sponsored dramatically changing the way water polo is played, marketed, trial events this summer with different rules in effect—FINA also recognizes and distributed internationally. that it must market and brand the game more aggressively. Part of the pre- sentations centered on the excitement that major team sports create around Recently in Cancun, Mexico, FINA hosted its first-ever World Water Polo sporting events, from tailgating to marching bands to spotlights and high- Conference. The conference brought together leaders from team sports in- voltage player introductions. FINA has contracted with a world-class event cluding the Indiana Pacers, the International Cricket Council, the Indianapo- production firm to provide recommendations in this area. lis Colts and the Carolina Hurricanes. FINA also enlisted viewpoints from the likes of Peter Diamond, Senior Vice President for Olympic Coverage at NBC; There was also discussion regarding broader media distribution of water polo Claude Ruibal, Global Head of Sports Content at Google/YouTube; Mike Mil- games, as well as how those games are produced. lay of ESPN/Disney, and Gianni Merlo, IOC member and President of the One area not much discussed was how to secure more resources for many of International Sports Press Association. these initiatives. These kinds of changes should lead to larger audiences—but Leaders from the world of water polo also offered their views on the state of will the fan base produce the kind of revenue needed to produce high-caliber the game, including our own Adam Krikorian and Brenda Villa. events and world-class high-definition broadcasts on a more regular basis? There also was a consensus that water polo needs a makeover. At the end of Although the future is uncertain, the very fact that these questions are being the conference FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu assigned the task asked by FINA is, in my view, very good news for our sport. Stay tuned for an of overhauling the rules of the game to the FINA Technical Water Polo Com- intriguing year ahead. mittee. They are charged with proposing changes that could be adopted as early as the World Swimming Championships, which will be held in Doha this December. It’s not clear what rule changes may be enacted; many ideas were floated at the conference. It’s clear that consideration will be given to reducing the number of field players from six to five. There is discussion around shrink- ing the course size. In order to stop extraneous whistles and reduce audience confusion, some advocate the elimination of the “ordinary” foul. Others have Chris proposed changing exclusions from 20 seconds to instead simply swimming to an ejection point (mid-pool?) and then returning immediately to action.

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5 METERS Quick Shots from USA Water Polo USA WATER POLO

After that night My 1st Match I couldn’t wait Carin Crawford, Head Coach, Women’s for Wednesday Water Polo, San Diego State University/ night water polo Former Women’s Senior National class. Finally I Team Athlete found a sport that combined swimming, Summer 1985 strength, a ball, My first water polo match was in 1985. I and a team signed up for a water polo class at Santa concept. That Rosa Junior College. I was the only girl in the class. The class was first night of actually designed to be the training session for the men’s water polo water polo class at SRJC led me on a journey I could never have team at SRJC. I was very naïve and not too clued in that this was imagined—from playing the next season on the men’s team at SRJC, not truly “Beginning Water Polo” as the class description stated. I women’s college water polo at UCSD and the USA National Team, showed up for the first class Wednesday night and didn’t know a and now coaching water polo at San Diego State. From that first soul. I tied on my Hind Wells water polo cap and watched for a few night of class in 1985 I’ve been completely immersed in the sport, minutes, then got my chance to get in the game. I never touched and water polo has given me so much that I’m thankful for—mostly the ball that night, but I tried to swim hard and guard someone. the camaraderie of teammates who are still my closest friends.

Five Questions with...

THOMAS but the older guys did a great job showing me TD: I’m very grateful to have this opportunity DUNSTAN, 16-Year the ropes and making me feel comfortable to compete for the Senior National Team, in and out of the pool. It was a lot of hard Old Attacker, Men’s and I hope I can inspire other young water work, but I learned a ton during those games polo players on the east coast to work hard Senior National and trainings. After scoring a couple of to achieve their goals. My older sister and I Team/Greenwich my first international goals, gaining some used to talk about Wolf Wigo and how he’s a (CT) Aquatics international experience, and learning from legend on the east coast, having come from my teammates, I can’t wait for the chance to New York and to then excel on the collegiate, SKIPSHOT: What were compete out there again and do better each international, and Olympic levels. I was your thoughts when time. lucky to have someone like him to look up you were selected to to and know that it was possible for an east the Senior National Team to compete last SS: You come from New Canaan, Conn., while coast player to make the National Team and February in Hungary? many of your teammates are from California. What is your high school and club water polo compete with the best of the best. My sister THOMAS DUNSTAN: Honestly, I was a little experience like on the east coast? joked the other day that I could be the next surprised when I found out I was selected to Wolf Wigo, but I really do hope that my the team. I think my family was, too. My mom TD: My high school doesn’t have a water accomplishments might inspire other east must’ve read the email 100 times before it polo team, so I train with my club team, coast players like Wolf Wigo inspired me. sunk in that I was actually going to Hungary. Greenwich Aquatics, year-round. I think my SS: What has been the response from friends The selection camps were some of the hardest club experience has been pretty similar to and family after they learned you’d be going hours I’ve ever put into water polo. I had players in California: We practice hard, and from high school to play the top teams in the to learn a new system and scrimmage with the coaches are really invested. I think the world? some of the best players in the world, and it big difference is the amount of competition. definitely wasn’t easy. It was rewarding when Because water polo isn’t too popular in TD: My family and friends are very excited I learned that my hard work paid off, but it the east, we spend a lot of time traveling for me and have been really supportive was also humbling to be noticed as someone to tournaments or for games with good throughout the whole process. Knowing who can play with such great collegiate and competition. I’m lucky that my best friends that they’re proud of what I’m doing goes a international players. are my teammates or else those long car rides long way, and I can’t thank them enough for would be pretty brutal. the sacrifices they’ve made along the way to SS: What was the experience in Hungary like? help me get to where I am today. It also helps How do you feel you matched up? SS: You are the first player from the tri-state (NY-NJ-CT) area to make the Senior National that they still treat me like the same kid I TD: Hungary was an incredible and humbling Team in many years. What sense of pride do was before I made the team—it takes a lot of experience for me, and I’m really lucky to you have as you represent your home area on pressure off me and reminds me of where I have been able to share that experience with the national stage? started and how far I’ve come. my teammates. At first I was a little nervous,

4 Quick Shots from USA Water Polo 5 METERS

What’s on Did You Know? my iPod? ALISON GLASER, SENIOR DRIVER, CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO WOMEN’S “Separate Ways” by Journey WATER POLO —I like listening to this song prior to my warm up because the beat gets me pumped up for my game. “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake & Lil Jon —I like listening to this song before games because I’m able to loosen up a bit and relax my muscles and move to the beat. “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions Did you know the USA Water Polo Hall of —I always want to go out and perform to my fullest, and this song gets me ready for just that. Fame was dormant from 2005 until 2009? “Yeah!” by Usher —When I mentally prepare for a game I like to visual- The hall returned in 2010 with six inductees ize, and this song ensures I will, “YEAH!” “Hall of Fame” by The Script including Bret Bernard, Jamey Wright, —As with all the other songs, the beat and tempo of this song pumps me up. Music is a huge part of my Kathy “Gubba”Sheehy, Peter Ueberroth, workout and pre-game warm up. These songs help me push through walls and get pumped. Heather Moody, and Edward Rudloff.

We have an important game coming up Did you hear that? Mighty confident Shieldy, read on the THE ADVENTURES OF against the Ocean Club, but if we play Shieldy says we are internet you think you'll crush Ocean our game and play smart, I think we gonna crush that other Club in the big game? can beat them! team, I'm gonna tweet that! What!?, I never said that. No, he said if we play our game he thinks we can win. WATER POLO

WATER POLO WATER POLO

Well you have your illustrated players tweeting that by Oh well, already sent. out and now Ocean paul ciaravino Club is fired up.

Well Joe or I should call you at WaterPoloBro14, Team, we fought hard out @WaterPoloBro14 - I hope you are happy, the other team thinks there but they are a good My coach Shieldy says we disrespected them. squad, we learned a valuable we are gonna crush lesson today. home away Shieldy, I didn't Ocean Club#NoDoubt think anyone would Sorry again guys, #OverBeforeItStarted retweeted 57 see it, it's just my didn't mean to favorited 104 Twitter account. 4 make a tough 8 10 game, harder. - Oh @OceanClubPolo Yes, Joe but it is the Internet, 4 8 really? We'll see about WATERso anyone POLO can see it, you'll sit 7 that #talkischeap out the first half. WATER POLO

It's ok Joe we forgive you, Unbelievable!, I need to talk with this kid. or should I say hashtag Sorry guys. apology accepted. Haha, Shieldy you're the best!

usawaterpolo.org 5 5 METERS Quick Shots from USA Water Polo USA WATER POLO

Your thoughts on . .

Jackson Kimbell–Men’s Senior of surprise followed shortly by an outburst Priscilla Orozco–Women’s Senior National Team, Stanford University Men’s in laughter. (In my day, we shook it with a National Team Water Polo Polaroid photo!) Warm-Up Routine: Meet up Warm-Up Routine: Listening to with team, stretch out on land, Cupcakes: I like my cupcakes like my music to get pumped up. Then I get heart rate up, change into conversations with coaches during a game… jump in, swim to loosen out, do extremely tight water polo suit, start sprint/skill Short and sweet. Red velvet and strawberry a couple laps of legs, pass and shoot. laps, pass, shoot, and then...GAME TIME! cheesecake also come to mind. SnapChat: A great way to procrastinate in the SnapChat: Love receiving those awkward Jimmy Fallon: THANK YOU…Jimmy Fallon, library while I’m doing homework. I’ve sent selfies from friends! out some funny ones while I should have been for showing how strong Chicagoans truly are studying. by taking the Polar Plunge. Also for challeng- Cupcakes: Short, sweet, and yummy! ing our Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the ultimate Cupcakes: You don’t get abs from eating Jimmy Fallon: Don’t watch his show, but dunk tank (subzero-degree weather and a everyone seems to love him. cupcakes. That being said, I really like cupcakes. frozen Lake Michigan). Biggest Fear: Starving to death! Jimmy Fallon: I think he’s really funny. I don’t Biggest Fear: It already happened…a bee flying really watch The Tonight Show that into my shirt while officiating a water polo Nolan McConnell–Men’s Senior often though. game. Ask me what happened when you see National Team, Long Beach State Men’s Water Polo Biggest Fear: Spiders. me on deck! Warm-Up Routine: Eating a Tiffany Ruiz–USA Water Polo Referee Kaleigh Gilchrist–Women’s Senior healthy meal the night before Warm-Up Routine: On the National Team, and USC Women’s a match. Depending on game Water Polo airplane I skim through the time the next day, I usually like to get in the Warm-Up Routine: Coffee and current USA rulebook and past water the morning of game day and do a nice some tunes. Go-to song at the evaluations/tips from top FINA stretch out. Prior to the game, I warm up with moment is “Jubel” by Klingande. referees. On deck, I listen to my favorite song the team. The main jams consist of “Pursuit of Happiness” “Alive” by Hillsong. Then I introduce myself to by Kid Cudi, “City of Dreams” by Alesso & SnapChat: Add me at nomcconnell11. the coaches, talk with my partner about cover- Dirty South, and “L.E.S. Artistes” by Santigold. age, scout out the left-handers—and say a quiet Cupcakes: I believe the entire team knows I prayer for athletes’ safety and sportsmanship, SnapChat: Guilty. My top-three are Vic, Ali, will no longer be eating cupcakes. Ever. for parents to cheer and be cordial, for coaches and Kally. Jimmy Fallon: Taught me that women should to be passionate and have patience, and for Cupcakes: Red velvet with sprinkles. be more important than watching sports. myself to have faith and trust my best judgment Biggest Fear: Being buried alive. throughout the game. Jimmy Fallon: “Idiot Boyfriend” song-era 2002. SnapChat: Brings to mind Stanford student Biggest Fear: FOMO (fear of missing out). creativity and 10 seconds with an element TWITTY Lolo Silver - @lolosilver - Will someone please tell me HOW the Dutch find speed skating sooo interesting that it’s still on tv BANTER in March? #cultureshock The latest in the Tony Azevedo - @WaterPoloTony - Congratulations to the United world of Twitter States Men’s Paralympic Hockey Team in winning the Gold Medal in Sochi today. @USParalympics @NBCOlympics 1-0 from USA Water Polo Kaleigh Gilchrist - @KGilchrist15 Got a tour of the White House Athletes. Be sure to and met Mr. President today! Successful day I would say @ BarackObama @USCWaterPolo follow them and Betsey Armstrong - @betsarmstrong1 Love the extra daylight in follow us @USAWP. the evening, but man the darkness (and cold!) makes that early morning wake up call so much harder!!

6

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY ALL-AMERICAN WATER POLO CAMP JUNE 18-22, 2014 AT CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY THOUSAND OAKS, CA

Open to all boys and girls ages 12-18 Overnight and day camp options available

All-American Water Polo Camp Led by:

TERRY SCHROEDER • Two-time Olympic Head Coach • Four-time Olympian • Captain of back-to-back silver medal teams in 1984 and 1988 • Considered one of the greatest to play the game

MERRILL MOSES • Two-time Olympian • Silver medal winner in 2008 • Considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world

Camp coaching staff includes Men and Women Collegiate All-Americans as well as nationally- recognized collegiate coaches.

For more information and to register, visit CLUsports.com/camps or call (805) 493-3426. Space is limited.

Official training site for the2008 and 2012 Men’s Olympic Water Polo Team.

WATER POLO TIMES News Briefs USA WATER POLO

smart, moral, and inspirational person. Quinn is the perfect example of Water Polo Coaches Win who I wanna be some day.” Positive Coaching Alliance Waldron, who played for University of the Pacific and then professionally ® in Australia while also coaching high school down under, is most excited Double-Goal Coach Awards about the chance to help players improve and prepare them for collegiate water polo. Her passion fuels her demeanor and coaching techniques. Presented by MaxPreps “Anyone who has been on any of my teams would tell you I don’t have Three water polo coaches have won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted a quiet bone in my body,” she said. “I’m definitely a loud coach. When I Double-Goal Coach Award presented by MaxPreps for their positive im- first started coaching, I reflected back on all my coaches since I started pact on youth athletes: Charles Bell of St. Joseph High School & One Way playing in fourth grade, all their styles and what worked for me. I always Water Polo Club (Santa Maria, CA); Quinn Delgado, Crespi Carmelite responded to intensity. I get excited when we’re playing well, and the girls High School (Encino, CA); and Sophie Waldron, Terra Linda High School can feed off of my energy.” & Marin Water Polo (San Rafael, CA). Life lessons Waldron emphasizes include time management and balance The award – named for coaches who strive to win while pursuing the more between school, family, friends, and sport. “I learned those things through important goal of teaching life lessons through sports – carries a $250 water polo in high school and even earlier, which made it easier for me prize, a trophy and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive when I got to college,” she said. “Now I’m trying to teach my girls that Coaching Alliance. same thing.” “Charles, Quinn and Sophie One other water polo coach, Ken Smith of Hawaii’s Punahou School, ad- help youth athletes win both vanced to the finalist stage of PCA’s awards program, being named one of in and out of the pool,” said the top 75 coaches from more than 1,700 nominations. Jim Thompson, founder and CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and author of nine books on youth sports, Rachel Fattal Selected as including The Power of Double-Goal Coaching and Nominee for AAU Sullivan the recently released Devel- oping Better Athletes, Better Award People. “By creating a posi- The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) an- tive, character-building youth nounced in March the 19 nominees select- sports experience, and serving ed for the 2013 James E. Sullivan Award, as a Double-Goal Coach, Charles, Quinn and Sophie help youth develop which honors the nation’s outstanding into better athletes and better people.” amateur athlete. USA Water Polo’s Rachel Fattal was nominated alongside Olympic Bell uses water polo to convey key life lessons, for example, “the amount Gold medalists David Boudia and Katie of work you put into something is what you’re going to be able to get out Ledecky, as well as college football stars of it,” he said. “It’s like a bank account. If you’re not putting the time in, A.J. McCarron (University of Alabama), making those deposits daily, then later on you’re not going to be able to Blake Bortles (University of Central Florida), and Tre Mason (member of make withdrawals.” Auburn’s 2013 BCS National Champion team). A water polo lifer and coach’s son, Bell continues to play at the master’s “I am extremely proud of the 2013 slate of nominees for the highest honor level. His passion for the sport fuels his youth coaching. “Winning match- the AAU bestows—the AAU James E. Sullivan Award,” said Henry For- es is not my ultimate goal,” he said. “My priority is to help these kids have rest, president of the AAU. “These young women and men are the best a sport they can stay in for the rest of their lives.” and the brightest among the hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes Delgado was influenced by his reading of Jeffrey Marx’s Season of Life who are pursuing their dreams. These outstanding athletes demonstrate about former NFL player and Coach for America Founder Joe Ehrmann. character and leadership not only on the court, the field, the mat, the water, “At an all-boys school, ideas about masculinity can get in the way of team and in the gym, but also in their communities.” goals and how the team should work together,” Delgado explained. “This The Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 and is based year especially, I’ve tried to instill the idea that we’re brothers. This is a on character, leadership and sportsmanship. Notable recipients of the family. We need each other to succeed. Now, I get, ‘Good morning coach, AAU Sullivan Award include Mark Spitz, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence I love you.’ Even amongst the boys it’s turned into a family atmosphere. Joyner, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, J.J. Redick, Tim Tebow, Shawn You don’t often hear a young man telling his fellow adolescents that he Johnson, and Missy Franklin. loves them, but somehow these kids have gotten to the point where they’re comfortable saying that to each other.” In her freshman season at UCLA, Rachel Fattal helped the Bruins claim a third-place finish in the NCAA Championships, where she was honored as Testimonials on behalf of Delgado as part of his nomination included the the MPSF Rookie of the Year. She joined Team USA after her academic following from a player: “Playing under many coaches I have learned that year was over and made her FINA World Championship debut in Barce- for a team to be successful a coach must (provide) excellent leadership. lona, where she helped the Senior National Team to a fifth-place finish. Quinn Delgado does just this by leading with not only his extraordinary Following that performance, she was named Most Valuable Player of the knowledge of the game but with the compassion that he holds between FINA Junior World Championships, where Team USA won its first Gold each and every one of his players. I have never looked up to such a well- Medal since 2005. rounded person and I see him as my biggest role model. I see Coach as a

10 News Briefs WATER POLO TIMES

Sheldon Pang Joins USA Big Fish Payroll Unveils ‘Big Water Polo Board Of Fish of the Month’ Video Directors Contest App on Facebook The USA Water Polo Board of Di- It’s an exciting time for USA Water Polo fans with the official launch of the rectors has announced the appoint- Big Fish of the Month app from official payroll services partner, Big Fish ment of Sheldon Pang to the board. Payroll. Available exclusively at the official USA Water Polo Facebook The Vice Chairman of Freepoint page (Facebook.com/USAWP), the app allows fans to upload their best Commodities, LLC, a global com- water polo videos. Specifically the contest is soliciting the best in-game modities investment and trading (not practice) goals and saves. Members of the water polo community will concern headquartered in Stamford, cast their votes, and each month the creator of the video with the most Connecticut, Pang replaces John votes will win a Big Fish of the Month T-shirt and a $25 gift code to be re- Hendrickson who vacated his seat deemed at the official USA Water Polo online store (waterpologear.com). on the board after three years of Currently available to fans of the USA Water Polo Facebook page, the distinguished service. Residing on app is already generating excitement among athletes, including Olympic the boards of many academic and Gold Medalist Courtney Mathewson. “Big Fish Payroll is a great partner philanthropic ventures, both domestic to USA Water Polo, and I’m thankful for all the support they’ve offered me and international, Pang has served in my water polo career,” said Mathewson. “I’m excited to check out the on the White House Commission new Big Fish of the Month app on Facebook and see what awesome water on Presidential Scholars since 2010 polo videos fans are sharing with the world!” after being appointed by President Obama. He joins the USA Water Polo Board of Directors in an in- The official payroll services partner of USA Water Polo since 2010, Big dependent director position and will also chair the organization’s Fish Payroll has been a key contributor to the organization’s success in re- annual fund. cent years. Along with this exciting new contest, Big Fish Payroll has been an exemplary payroll services provider. USA Water Polo Chief Financial “We are delighted to have Sheldon Pang join the board of USA Water Polo. Officer Jim Callahan works directly with Big Fish Payroll and has high He brings a wealth of non-profit experience along with passion for youth praise for the company and its newest venture. water polo,” said Michael Graff, Chairman. “Big Fish is locally owned and Prior to Freepoint Commodities, Pang was Vice Chairman of RBC Capi- operated by Justin Dignam, tal Markets and before that spent more than 12 years in the US financial who not only has played and service industry. Alongside his professional career Pang’s volunteer work refereed water polo, but also is extensive. He has served on the board of Carmel Academy, Huaxia Chi- has coached at the collegiate level. Big Fish provides outstanding customer nese School of Greater New York, the Brookings Institute Foreign Policy service and always earns a recommendation from me,” said Callahan. “I’m Leadership Committee, and the China Advisory Council of Brown Uni- looking forward to the excitement generated around this new venture with versity. Other service work includes his time as an Educational Counselor the Big Fish of the Month app.” at MIT and as Chairman of the Zhejiang University Endowment Fund. In addition to prizes each month, winners will have their videos recog- A graduate of Zhejiang University, Pang earned a master’s degree from nized on the USA Water Polo website, social media, and in SkipShot Vanderbilt University and a doctoral degree from MIT. No stranger to the Magazine. Specific instructions on how to submit your video are available sport of water polo, he and his wife, Hong, are the proud parents of two at Facebook.com/USAWP. devoted water polo players, Charlie and Mindy, of Greenwich Aquatics club. The family resides in Greenwich, Connecticut. For more information on Big Fish Payroll, visit its website at BigFishPay- roll.com or contact Justin Dignam via phone at 714-769-3410 ext. 130 or email at [email protected].

FINA WOMEN'S INTERCONTINENTAL QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT May 19–25, Riverside, CA Featuring: Team USA, Australia, Canada, China, Brazil & more Visit USAWaterPolo.org for schedule and ticket information

usawaterpolo.org 11 ReCaps USA WATER POLO WATER POLO EXCELLENCE: 2014 Hall Of Fame Inductees & National Award Winners Honored In Irvine The water polo community gathered for a fantastic celebration in Irvine this past April 5th as National Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees came together. Four accomplished members of the water polo community were inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame: Legendary UC-Irvine Men’s Water Polo Coach Edward Newland, Southern California scholastic coaching icon Jim Sprague, water polo referee extraor- dinaire Andy Takata, and Women’s National Team pioneer Sandy Vessey-Schneider. Joining them were the best of the best in USA Water Polo for 2013 as our National Award winners were recognized as well. Learn more about all the honorees: Servite High School, Rosary High School, La Canada High School, and Sonora High School (or their opponents), a universal respect exists for this USA Water Polo Hall Of Fame Class of 2014 scholastic coaching legend. Winner of nine CIF Championships, his most famous work happened at Sunny Hills in Fullerton, CA where he coached for 25 years and won four of those titles. He built a foundation that allowed the Lancers to capture 24 straight league titles and establish the record for consecutive league victories at 120, which still stands today. He then pro- ceeded to lead Servite to multiple CIF crowns and in recent years has been a development specialist, providing short-term expertise to a variety of programs. A one-time assistant coach at USC and no stranger to the USA Water Polo club circuit, Sprague is considered an innovator in the area of video study within the sport. He pioneered the recording of matches for tactical breakdown and instruction well before his peers—and it’s now widely practiced today. With no signs of slowing down, Sprague remains an active presence on the sidelines of high school matches through the Southland. The men’s water polo program at UC-Irvine has won three NCAA Cham- pionships, sent more than a dozen athletes to the Olympic Games, and Andy Takata will be most remembered for his work as a water polo official, helped establish Orange County as a water polo mecca. The name most but his impact on the game has been much bigger. In addition to wearing synonymous with all those accomplishments is Edward Newland. Head the whites at the most prestigious water polo events on the planet, Takata coach for the Anteaters from 1966 to 2005, Newland piled up 714 victories, volunteered his time to the sport in a variety of governance roles and de- was named National Coach of the Year three times, Conference Coach velopmental ventures. A 12-year member of the USA Water Polo Board of of the Year eight times, and watched his players win medals in multiple Directors, Takata also served as vice president, treasurer and National Ref- Olympic Games. A former goalkeeper in his playing days at Occidental, erees’ chair. A member of the UANA Technical Water Polo Committee, he the “Old Man” as he is referred to, believed hard work could overcome was also commissioner of the Western Water Polo Association and serves everything and lived by that example. His personal workouts are the stuff on the Technical Water Polo Committee for the Collegiate Water Polo As- of legend as he lifted weights for hours before practice began and would sociation. On top of all of that he’s one of the best American water polo then crush a group of college kids in sit-up and push-up competitions. He referees of all time. In a career that started in 1978, Takata quickly climbed preached fundamentals in an approach that allowed UC-Irvine to be the the ranks, calling his first NCAA Championship Tournament in 1981. He fifth member of the vaunted big four over several decades. The first water traveled the world representing the United States and whistled matches polo coach in the history of two scholastic juggernauts—Newport Harbor at the 2000 Olympic games, the 1998 FINA World Championships, three High School and Corona del Mar High School—Newland was a longtime FINA World Cups, several U.S. Olympic Festivals, and countless addition- swim coach at UC-Irvine, guiding his squads to multiple NCAA crowns. al international and domestic championships. He remains involved in the Creator of the Newport Water Polo Foundation, Newland advocated for game today, championing the growth of women’s water polo and working additional playing opportunities for his athletes so they could take on the on referee development and recruitment. best domestic competition available. Recruiter of the oft overlooked or In an era of women’s water polo where all-expense paid travel and Olym- undervalued, he built a reputation on developing great players and better pic dreams were still many years away, Sandy Vessey-Schneider was a people. His tenure inspired a legion of men who look upon him as a father household name. A member of the Women’s Senior National Team for figure, willing to do anything for their beloved “old man.” more than 10 years, Vessey-Schneider broke into water polo on the boy’s Those involved in high school boys’ water polo in Southern California over varsity team at Marina High School in Southern California, earning Most the last 40-plus years have surely felt the impact of Jim Sprague. Whether Valuable Player honors and later a spot in the school’s Hall of Fame. One of they were part of his highly successful teams at Sunny Hills High School, the top collegiate goalkeepers in women’s water polo in the 1980s, Vessey-

12 ReCaps

all photos courtesy Laura Horvath

Schneider competed at Long Beach State, helping the 49ers to third place in a program-record 26 wins in 2013 en route to a fourth-place finish at the at the collegiate nationals in 1987. All the while she competed at the Senior MPSF Championship, their best ever. The team picked up two signature National Team level, winning silver at the 1989 FINA World Cup and victories last season defeating UCLA on March 2nd at the Mona Plum- bronze at the 1991 FINA World Championship. She competed in six U.S. mer Pool and following that up with a win over California in Berkeley on Olympic Festivals, countless other international competitions, and helped March 16th. Those victories helped Arizona State reach a number-three various USAWP clubs to 16 Senior National Championship crowns. High- ranking in the nation, the highest ever in program history. A strong re- ly decorated throughout her career, Vessey-Schneider was named the Most cruiter, Clapper saw one of his newest athletes, Izabella Chiappini, recently Valuable Goalkeeper in international play in Hungary and also earned All- named Brazilian Player of the Year. American honors at many Senior National Championships. She parlayed Bill Barnett Distinguished Men’s Coaching Award (Scholastic): her successful playing career into one as a coach where she has had a hand Brian Flacks, Harvard Westlake High School - In just three years Brian in every level of water polo. From age group with Golden West Water Polo Flacks has quickly restored the Harvard Westlake program to elite status. Club to scholastic with her alma mater Marina High School to collegiate After winning a CIF Championship with the girl’s team in his first season, with her alma mater Long Beach State, Vessey-Schneider has done it all. A Flacks guided the boy’s team to its first title since 1991. The CIF-Southern former goalie coach for the Women’s Senior National Team, she remains Section Division 1 Championship came at the hands of juggernaut and de- active as a Masters athlete competing annually for the SODA Moms where fending champion Mater Dei. Unable to top the Monarchs’ three previous she won a Gold medal and was named an All-American in the 50+ division times during the season, Flacks and the Wolverines came through when it in the summer of 2013. mattered most. Most recently Flacks was named an assistant coach for the Men’s Junior National Team. Doc Hunkler Distinguished Women’s Coaching Award (Scholastic): Ethan Damato, Laguna Beach High School - On the heels of another stel- lar campaign with the Laguna Beach High School Girl’s Water Polo Team where he won the 2014 CIF Division 1 Championship, Ethan Damato is recognized for his achievements in 2013. As a club coach with SET Water Polo, Damato guided the 16U girls to gold at the 2013 Junior Olympics. An important piece of the National Team pipeline, Damato has served as an Olympic Development Coach and most recently as an assistant coach with the Women’s Youth National Team. A two-time CIF Coach of the Year for both the boy’s and girl’s team, Damato won a CIF Championship with 2013 USA Water Polo National Award Winners the girls in 2009. He has also sent a host of athletes on the college ranks, Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Men’s Coaching Award (Elite): competing for universities all over the country. Jovan Vavic, USC - Jovan Vavic has set a new level of excellence for a Ted Newland Distinguished Men’s coach in men’s collegiate water polo. Without ignoring his accolades on the Coaching Award (Developmental): women’s side, including a 2013 NCAA National Championship, Vavic has Gregg Emde, Mad Dog Water Polo - Gregg Emde got involved as a water presided over an unprecedented run with his men’s program. In December polo coach after watching his children thrive in a sport he grew up playing. of 2013, Vavic and the Men of Troy won their NCAA record sixth straight Since taking on an expanded role in the game he has made a huge impact national championship while playing in their ninth straight title match. in the growth of water polo in the St. Louis area. Currently the coach of the Named National Coach of the Year a dozen times and MPSF Coach of the Midwest Zone ODP Junior Team, Emde started Mad Dog Water Polo to Year 10 times, in 2013 Vavic also served as interim head coach of the USA help grow the game and served for many years as head coach at Marquette Men’s Senior National Team, helping the team qualify for the 2013 FINA High School in the St. Louis area. Emde is a huge part of the water polo World Championship. scene pitching in as a coach in the last three years as a referee. If there is Sandy Nitta Distinguished Women’s Coaching Award (Elite): a big water polo event going on in the area, you can be sure Gregg Emde Todd Clapper, Arizona State University - This spring marks Todd Clap- will be there. per’s ninth season at the helm of the Arizona State University women’s Brent Bohlender Distinguished Women’s water polo team, and he’ll have his hands full trying to top 2013. A com- Coaching Award (Developmental): bined 51-13 over the last two seasons, Clapper and the Sun Devils turned Ian Davidson, San Diego Shores - A longtime coach with the San Diego

usawaterpolo.org 13 ReCaps USA WATER POLO 2014 Hall Of Fame Inductees & National Award Winners (continued) Shores Water Polo Club, Davidson serves as women’s program director and Water Polo system, Gentry now serves as the Zone Chair for the Coastal also coaches the 14U girls team for the powerhouse club. Last summer Da- California Zone. She’s nothing short of a first-class partner to USA Water vidson guided the 14U squad to a Bronze Medal at the 2013 Junior Olym- Polo and its member clubs in helping to organize playing opportunities for pics and followed that up with a top-10 finish at the TYR Champions Cup. athletes across her zone. A full-time professional in the apparel industry, The squad also took third place at the Pacific Winter Classic and County Gentry donates a substantial portion of her free time to water polo, and for Cup 2013 along with fourth place at Winterfest 2013. Since 2012, Davidson that the sport in her area is in a better place. has also served as the Pacific Southwest Zone Chair, where he has a variety Bryan Weaver Male Master of the Year Award: of responsibilities including sanctioning events and increasing playing op- Doc Hofer, Tri-Valley Water Polo Club - Doc Hofer is not just a veteran portunities for zone members in addition to other governance duties. masters athlete, but a veteran masters athlete advocate. A member of the Bret Bernard Distinguished Referee Award (Elite): USA Water Polo Masters Advisory Committee, Hofer has been instru- Alan Korsgaden - Alan is one of those referees that has truly risen to the mental in assisting the growth of a variety of Masters events including the top of his craft through hard work, desire, and a fantastic dedication to the annual Masters Nationals and a host of other competitions. His monthly game. After a solid playing and coaching career, Alan continued to give to masters newsletter, now in its second year sheds light on upcoming playing the sport we all love as a referee. He quickly gained respect and recognition opportunities for masters athletes while giving kudos to those having re- for his aptitude and attitude among players, coaches, and fellow referees. It cently organized events. Still an active competitor, Hofer helped organize wasn’t long until Alan began whistling top collegiate and National Cham- the 65+-exhibition competition at the 2013 Masters Nationals and com- pionship matches, having recently been selected to officiate at the NCAA peted with his Tri-Valley club in the 60+ division. Championships this past December at Stanford. He has participated not Bryan Weaver Female Master of the Year Award: only as working referee, but also as a key member of the USA Water Polo Melissa Fernandez, OC Riptide Water Polo Club - In a short time Melissa Referee Association’s delegate and evaluator corps, giving his time and Fernandez has helped establish the OC Riptide as one of the premier mas- energy as a head referee at National Events and as an instructor referee, ters water polo clubs in Southern California. In 2013 the OC Riptide club training referees nationwide. picked up the Silver Medal in both the Women’s 20+ and 30+ division, and Tom Hermstad Distinguished Referee Award (Scholastic): Fernandez was tabbed All-American in the 30+ division for her efforts in Arnaldo Perez Jr. - JR, as he is known in the water polo world, has made the water. A former collegiate athlete at UC-Irvine and current head coach his mark in the sport as a referee at the local and national level and con- of boys’ and girls’ water polo at Ocean View High School in Huntington tinues his professional growth and development. He has whistled numer- Beach, CA, Fernandez lives water polo. She’s helped set the OC Riptide ous National Junior Olympic and other domestic national championship club apart, not just from their success at national events but also because events and has often been selected to referee the championship matches. of their desire to compete. The club takes part in almost every master’s He’s the veteran of numerous club and high school championships in tournament available in its area, hardly a surprise for this water polo his native Southeast Zone and is working hard to take advantage of ev- lifer. Last year Fernandez established the Champions League in her native ery opportunity to expand his professional experience. With a bright Southern Pacific Zone, a social playing opportunity for younger masters future ahead, Perez shows no signs of slowing down as he climbs the athletes that also served as a referee development and evaluation platform. officiating ranks. The league was just another sign of Fernandez’s dedication to the game. Aaron Chaney Distinguished Referee Award (Developmental): Master’s Club of the Year: Emma Cox - Emma Cox epitomizes what makes a good referee: A true OC Riptide Water Polo Club - A relatively new club, the OC Riptide have love and passion for the game and its participants, a desire to continue to taken the masters scene by storm, entering a squad into almost every con- grow as an official, and a strong sense of the spirit of the game. Although ceivable masters event they can get their hands on. The results have been relatively new to the officiating scene, Emma has made the most of her promising. Just this past year the team earned two medals at the 2013 Mas- experiences both in her home Mountain Zone and on the national circuit, ters Nationals, picking up Silver in the Women’s 30+ division and Bronze having been selected to referee at ODP Regional Championships among in the Women’s 20+. This led to seven athletes earning All-American numerous other events. Emma continues to make herself available for all status and continues positive growth for a club that shows no signs of opportunities that come her way to continue to grow professionally. She slowing down. has become a fine example of referee development and has a bright future USA Water Polo Chairman’s Cup: in the whites. SOCAL Water Polo - SOCAL Water Polo earns top honors yet again, Barbara Kalbus Distinguished Volunteer Award: winning the Chairman’s Cup for the fifth straight year. SOCAL’s entire Scott Ennis - A driving force in the stability and growth of water polo in program won accolades at the highest levels in both genders. 2013 was a the Carolinas along with the Eastern Seaboard, Scott Ennis has done a lot special year for the club as they once again picked up hardware at a variety of good, all in the name of water polo. The president of the Triangle Water of events across a host of age groups. The SOCAL girls returned to form Polo Club in North Carolina, Ennis has been instrumental in the devel- at the TYR Champions Cup winning Gold while the boys took home the opment of the South Atlantic League, a playing opportunity for masters Silver Medal. At the US Open of Water Polo, the SOCAL women earned programs all along the East Coast that crowned its first champion in 2013. a Bronze Medal as well as fourth place and placed three athletes on the In addition to his volunteer efforts in coordinating the league, Ennis also all-tournament team. Last but not least, in the world’s largest water polo supported the Swim Across America event in Raleigh this year where he tournament—the Junior Olympics—SOCAL struck Gold with its 16U helped promote water polo and raise money for charity. boys and earned Bronze with its 16U girls, both in the Platinum Division. Both teams also earned Junior Olympic All-American status and helped Burke/Ratkovic Zone Service Award: continue a trend five years in the making that finds SOCAL Water Polo Lori Gentry, Coastal California Zone - When it comes to organizing Club among the best of the best. water polo in Southern California, there are few areas where Lori Gentry doesn’t play a pivotal role. A longtime club administrator for the Foot- See our photo gallery at USAWaterPolo.org and watch our hill Club, helping that organization grow to one of the largest in the USA Hall of Fame video tributes at YouTube.com/USAWP 14

COACHED BY TERRY SCHROEDER AND MERRILL MOSES

Terry Schroeder is a two-time Olympic Head Coach, Four-time Olympian and Captain of back-to- back silver medals in 1984 and 1988. He is considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He is currently Head Coach at Pepperdine University. Merrill Moses is a two-time Olympian and silver medal OPEN TO ALL BOYS AND GIRLS winner in 2008. He is considered one of the best AGES 12 TO 18 goalkeepers in the world. He is currently Assistant To register go to www.MalibuH2Opolocamp.com Coach at Pepperdine Site of the 1984 Olympic Water Polo Venue For more information email us at [email protected]. or call 805-371-1495 NIKE WATER POLO CAMPS 2014 Train with USA Olympians

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CONTACT US TO HOST A CAMP AT YOUR POOL! 1-800-NIKE CAMP USSPORTSCAMPS.COM All rights reserved. Nike and the Swoosh design are registered trademarks of Nike, Inc. and its aliates, and are used under license. Nike is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps. REMEMBERING Rising Star Jon Walters SAN JOSE STATE Mourned By Water Polo COACHING ICON By Dan Albano, LOU TULLY Community OC Register Lou Tully, San Jose State Univer- sity’s first and only women’s water Former “He was always the leader,” said USC polo head coach, died on December Mater Dei star coach Jovan Vavic, who was among the 17 at age 70 in San Jose due to com- water polo many wearing a gold No . 6 pin, signifying plications from cancer treatment. player and USC Walters’ cap number with the Trojans . “He freshman Jon was a giver ”. Mr. Tully was named the Spartans’ Walters was head coach in 1996 and had a USC teammate Connor Virjee called 250-245 win-loss coaching record remembered Walters “a beast that we all loved to watch January 18 as a covering 16 seasons. His teams were ranked in the top-10 in the water and the giant teddy bear who nationally a dozen times. The 2001 and 2011 Spartans finished “true friend”, loved out of the water ”. a positive fifth in the country. leader and a role model in his sport during Walters was remembered for his domi- Spartan water polo players earned 24 All-American a memorial service that attracted an nance, which included undefeated seasons awards since 1999 and 32 Association of Collegiate Water estimated 2,000 people . at Mater Dei as a junior and senior . Several Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-American Academic awards players from Newport Harbor, the school since 2009. Walters, 19, died Jan . 8 of a heart attack Walters attended before transferring to after battling kidney failure and pneumo- Mater Dei, were in the audience . “We are shocked and deeply saddened by Lou’s sudden passing. nia, said his father, Bill . Lou was an outstanding coach who always wanted the best for “He’s like an icon to kids,” Newport Harbor his student-athletes and the program. He never backed down An official cause of death of The Register’s senior Mitchell Mendoza said of Walters, 2012 player of the year is pending toxicol- from a challenge, and his student-athletes loved him for that who trained with the U .S . national team and many more qualities that made San Jose State one of the top ogy reports from the autopsy, according to this past summer . “Playing against him the Orange County Sheriff’s Department . women’s water polo programs nationally,” said San Jose State was always good . He made everyone director of athletics Gene Bleymaier. Several of Walters’ teammates from NCAA better around him ”. champion USC and his former teammates “We share our grief with his wife, Susie, and the entire Tully fam- Bret Bonanni, one of Walters’ former ily. This truly is a sad day for us all.” from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana teammates at Mater Dei, traveled from and club teams attended the memorial at Stanford on Friday night to attend Well-known locally and regionally in water polo circles, Mr. the community center at Mariners Church . the memorial . Tully was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 but given a clean bill of health the following summer. He took the San Jose State coach- The crowd also included players and “It’s just super-caring,” Bonanni said of the friends from rival colleges and high school ing position after a lengthy career coaching high school, com- water polo community . “Everyone kind of munity college and club teams. His first coaching position was programs . They wore their team shirts and knew Jon and everyone wanted to come fondly remembered a player for his efforts at Menlo Junior College in 1966 where he coached water polo out and show their support for his family . and swimming. In the 1990s he founded the San Jose Splash—a in and out of the water . Players from the It means a lot ”. USC women’s team also attended . club team for local junior women players. Walters’ brother, James, a senior at Mater “He was the most loyal friend I could The 1967 San Jose State graduate earned his master’s Dei, and the boys’ father said they were degree from his alma mater in 1973. He played for the ever ask for,” UCLA goalie Garrett overwhelmed by the support for Jon . Danner, a graduate of El Toro High, Spartan men’s water polo teams during the 1962 through told the audience . “He touched a lot lives,” James said after 1965 seasons. the memorial . “He inspired a lot of people by his abilities “Lou was a mentor to all his players and the coaches he com- and talents but what is most important is “This is our family,” Bill said of the water peted with and against. He was a father figure to all he touched,” that he was a true friend ”. polo community . said Johnny Bega, San Jose State University women’s water polo associate head coach, who first met Tully in 1994 when Bega Danner drew hearty laughter after he The Walters’ pastor, Joe Sabolick, guided the memorial . was a high school player and Mr. Tully officiated his boys’ water shared his first interaction with Walters polo match. when the two were 12-year-olds at a USA “I’m just amazed a young man of 19 years water polo event in Utah . old can bring this many people together,” Mr. Tully also was a long-time water polo official, serving at he said . “He was the best ”. every level, including the Junior Olympic Nationals, U.S. Senior “Jon and I didn’t say a single word to each Men’s and Women’s National Championships, community other the whole first day except, ‘I don’t The crowd began to clap . college state championships, and NCAA Division I men’s and like you,’ ” Danner recalled . “By the end of women’s matches. the tournament, Jon was kicking kids on In lieu of flowers, the Walters family asks 5-meter penalty shots to keep them from that donations be sent to the “Jon Walters An Army veteran, Mr. Tully also was a member of the San Fran- scoring on me and would never let anyone Memorial Scholarship” at USC to Ron Orr, cisco Bay Area band Big Bop and the Choppers, which special- get close to me in the cage ”. USC Heritage Hall, 3501 Watt Way, Los ized in 1950s Rock & Roll tribute music. The band’s best-known Angeles, CA 90089-0602 . member is Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren. One of Walters’ USC teammates, Joe Nelson, told the gathering how Walters This article is reprinted with permission of Tully is survived by his wife Susan; daughter Megan; son Ian inspired him during a grueling practice . the Orange County Register and daughter-in-law Caroline, and their son Chase. Walters’ advice: imagine the session as Courtesy San Jose State Athletics. “pool party with friends ”. usawaterpolo.orgusawaterpolo.org 1717 Dejan Udovivic was named head coach for the USA Water Polo Men’s Senior Na- tional Team on May 7, 2013. After nearly a year on the job, Udovicic has taken 1 YEAR Team USA to a FINA World League Super Final, FINA World Championship, a FINA World Cup qualification, and most recently the Volvo Cup in Hungary as part of a European tour. In every event he’s used a variety of athletes while install- L ATER: ing a long-term plan for success at the 2016 Olympic Games and beyond. Udovivic also has moved to a new country with his wife and young daughter, settling in Southern California. SkipShot magazine sat down for an interview with coach Udovicic. Below are excerpts from the complete interview that can be heard on the Counter Attack podcast. Download episode 46 by visiting CounterAttack.Libsyn.com. SS: WE ARE AT ABOUT THE ONE YEAR MARK SINCE YOU JOINED TEAM USA. WHAT HAS THE LAST YEAR BEEN LIKE FOR YOU WITH THE MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM? DU: Most strange year for me in my coaching year, because so many things are going on at the same time, and we are trying to get time in front of everyone. We are organiz- ing the men’s side of USA Water Polo to build something new and create something that will be magnificent in the future with the possibility to reach the highest level. At the same time we were trying to do something in Barcelona (at the 2013 FINA World Championship). After that we started searching for all the positions and pipeline coaches and new young players for the future to build the program. After Barcelona, honestly, is when the real work started. We didn’t have time to organize ourselves in the best way for Barcelona; I think we had a good performance with only 40 days together, and this right now is our reality where we finished in Barcelona. We are accepting this position. I’m really pleased with the guys I’ve selected for the future and how they performed on the Europe tour for two weeks, and we’ll be just better. SS: HOW MUCH ARE YOU ENJOYING THE CHALLENGE OF DOING ALL OF THIS? FINDING THE PLAYERS, BUILDING THE PROGRAM, MAKING THE PLAN FOR THE NEXT FOUR, EIGHT YEARS? DU: This is a big challenge, to see something that is growing and make it available and visible for everyone. Probably some people in the water polo community don’t see it how I see it for the future. There is no doubt that we are going to succeed. SS: DO YOU HAVE TO REMIND YOURSELF THAT IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE TOUGH EARLY, THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE? DU: It will not be a little bit tough—it will be more than tough. Especially right now, we have just two or three guys out from college on our Europe tour. In some ways this is Q & A good, and in other ways this is not. We cannot practice as much because of the NCAA rules, but I’m supportive of the schools and education. Those guys are fully motivated and have the maximum commitment for the national team. As you said it will be a WITH MEN’S really, really tough period in front of us. They already felt the situation against the best teams in the world in the Volvo Cup; they beat us badly. I think after all of it, we received SENIOR the biggest impact from that tournament. Our biggest problem right now is inexperi- ence on the international level. The time will come and will be much more competitive in the future, there will be no doubt. Our goal for 2016 is to qualify for the Olympic NATIONAL Games, and we have a not-so-easy situation regarding this, but we know what we need to do. We need to beat Canada in the Pan American Games, and that’s it. Our main focus for the next year and a half is to beat Canada. TEAM HEAD SS: YOU LOOK AT THE LAST COUPLE OF TEAMS YOU’VE PUT TOGETHER; YOU’VE OPENED IT UP TO ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. YOU COACH KNEW THAT BEFORE YOU STARTED THIS JOB IT WAS LARGELY A CALIFORNIA TEAM. HAS IT BEEN PART DEJAN OF YOUR PLAN TO FIND ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY ARE FROM? UDOVICIC DU: Yeah, I’m just picking the players I think I can use the best for the national team, BY GREG MESCALL and for me it doesn’t matter from where they are coming. Because of that I spent so much time in the fall going around the country to see so many games to find the players I needed. I must explain to everyone to clarify—they aren’t the same types of players or 18 photos courtesy of Peggy Propp and Jeff Cable talents that college coaches pick. They can be on the same track, but 50 per- cent of them are not in the same position. College coaches are looking for the NEW LOOK next four years; I’m looking on more of a long-term basis, the next six to eight TEAM USA years. Sometimes players can show right now they are better than someone I picked; in the future it will be the opposite. For example, this guy Thomas GAINS VALUABLE Dunstan from Greenwich—everyone already asked me about him in Hungary. EXPERIENCE It’s amazing how he performed in Europe considering how much practice time he has had on the east coast. This is an example of how I think we chose the right players for the future. We are going to try and build him to become one of the best players in the future. SS: AS FAR AS COACHING GOES, WHAT ASPECT DO YOU LIKE BEST? DU: There is no doubt—games I like more. (But) without practice or analyzing you cannot go forward (to the games). I like to have the pressure. I’m someone who really enjoys the challenges and the pressure, and I’m trying to convince all the players to be the same way, to not be afraid of anything. To play with full confidence, believing in teammates and respecting opponents. SS: YOU HAVE SOME EXHIBITION GAMES COM- ING UP IN JUNE AGAINST SERBIA IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT WHEN THEY COME SEE TEAM USA THEN? DU: We are planning four games for the first week of June in the Bay Area. There is no doubt that Serbia is in front of us, but we have an opportunity to play in front of our crowd. There is no doubt there will be a lot of swimming, The USA Men’s Senior National traveled to Europe for their first official a lot of shooting, and we are trying to make some changes from the past. We competition of 2014. Competing in the Volvo Cup in Szolnok, Hungary, will not give up against anyone; we are going into each game trying to win each Team USA met three of the top teams in the world in Serbia, Hungary and game. If my team gives 100 percent each game, I will be satisfied. Germany. With just one returning Olympian on the squad in veteran center SS: WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE WHEN YOU GO John Mann, the United States struggled, falling to Serbia 20-11, Germany TO DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND THE U.S. TO 20-12, and Hungary 12-5. While the team failed to win a game, the trip was MEET NEW PLAYERS AND INTERACT WITH THE an important training opportunity for the group. 16-year old Thomas Dunstan WATER POLO COMMUNITY? made his debut with the Senior National Team and after scoring two goals in DU: It was really good and a lot of fun; there are so many different people, dif- Volvo Cup play was featured in the February 24 issue of Sports Illustrated. ferent approaches. Compared to Europe this is a huge country. I didn’t under- The team now prepares for this summer where the FINA World League Super stand how the states are huge. Really interesting people; everybody is willing Final in Dubai and the FINA World Cup Kazakhstan await. to help us in different ways. We are really pleased about this. I’m thankful for all of them. We don’t always need to think the same, but we are choosing the USA MEN’S SENIOR NATIONAL 2014 VOLVO CUP ROSTER (HOMETOWN/SCHOOL/USAWP CLUB) right way to build a team. McQuin Baron - Goalkeeper SS: YOU PLAYED WATER POLO. HOW WOULD (North Tustin, CA/Mater Dei HS/United) YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A PLAYER? Drew Holland - Goalkeeper DU: I was playing on the right side. I have a twin brother (Darko); we played (Orinda, CA/Stanford/Lamorinda) on the same team for all of our careers. He was a better player than I was; he Conner Cleary - Defender was on the left side. I organized the game, wanted to have control, and lead (Goleta, CA/Stanford/Stanford) the team. I was the captain on teams I played on. The logical next step for me Nolan McConnell - Attacker (L) was to become the coach. If you want to play against me, try to keep me from (Laguna Beach, CA/Long Beach State/SET) getting the ball—I think I was in good positions and good situations to make Danny McClintick - Attacker something valuable for my team when I had the ball. I loved the assist—to pass (Agoura Hills, CA/UCLA/Bruin) the ball and cover others if they made a mistake. Alex Obert - Center (Stockton, CA/Pacific/Sac Polo) SS: THANKS FOR JOINING US, COACH. GOOD Jackson Kimbell - Defender LUCK THIS SUMMER! (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/Newport WPC) DU: Thank you. Alex Bowen - Attacker (Santee, CA/Stanford/Stanford) Bret Bonanni - Attacker (Huntington Beach, CA/Stanford/Stanford) Fun Facts Josh Samuels - Attacker (Villa Park, CA/UCLA/NYAC) Last Movie You Watched: 12 Years a Slave Michael Rosenthal - Attacker (Miami, FL/USC/NYAC) Favorite Actor: Robert De Niro John Mann - Center Favorite Actress: Julianne Moore (Newport Beach, CA/California/NYAC) Dan Matulis - Center Favorite Restaurant in Your New Home Area: Koi Sushi (Milford, OH/Long Beach State/Rockford Aquatics) Favorite Music: Dire Straits, Rolling Stones Thomas Dunstan - Attacker (L) Greatest Concert: Phil Collins in Belgrade, Serbia (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan HS/Greenwich Aquatics) usawaterpolo.org 19 2O2O Project 2020 and Brenda Villa’s

New Focus BY MISA SUGIURA

In September of 2000, Brenda Villa and her Stanford But the city of Commerce has what Villa calls “a secret weapon”: it sub- women’s water polo teammates folded themselves into sidizes youth sports. Every sports program is free of charge for the chil- dren of Commerce residents. child-size chairs in the library of East Palo Alto Charter School. The team was volunteering in a tutoring pro- Why Not? gram at the school, which serves a low-income, mostly “Growing up, I never realized how lucky I was,” Villa says. “I just thought, Latino community just east of Stanford University. This is normal.” At East Palo Alto Charter School, she had an epiphany. “I thought, This is kind of like the neighborhood [I grew up in], and they With her quick smile and fluent Spanish, Villa con- don’t have what I had. Why not? It made me open my eyes.” nected easily with her students. But as the weeks passed She began asking around: Why not? The answer: money. Beyond build- she discovered a glaring difference between herself and ing costs, pools need pumps, filters, heaters, chemicals, lights, locker these children. They were missing out on an experience rooms, drowning insurance, lifeguards, and maintenance staff. Pools are that Villa had taken for granted as a child—an experi- expensive; aquatic programs are expensive. ence that had changed her life. “That’s why water polo isn’t as diverse as it should be,” Villa points out, “And it’s like, ‘OK, how can we change that?’” One day, she decided, she An Unlikely Beginning would find a way. Villa’s parents, both Mexican immigrants, raised their family in the In the spring of 2008, the same year Villa would win her third Olym- largely Hispanic working class city of Commerce, southeast of Los An- pic medal, 14-year-old Skylar Dorosin played for Stanford Water Polo geles. Brenda’s mother Rosario—who could not swim and worried about Club at a tournament in Commerce. Upon learning about the city pro- her children’s safety in the water—enrolled Brenda and her two brothers gram and its connection to Villa, Dorosin thought of her hometown’s in swimming lessons at the city pool. low-income neighbor, East Palo Alto. She began asking Villa’s question: Why not? The rest is history. By the summer of 2009, Dorosin had set up a series of free local swim At age eight, Villa started playing water polo; at 15 she won her first clinics for low-income youth from East Palo Alto and similar communi- Junior World Championship medal; at 20 she represented the United ties. Villa, who had deferred her plans for a Commerce-like program to States in the 2000 Olympic debut of women’s water polo and won her focus on her career, got wind of Dorosin’s summer clinics and got in- first Olympic medal; she retired in 2012 with four Olympic medals to volved in 2010. Together they worked on expanding and formalizing the her name. program. They set a goal to have a girl on track to play at the collegiate or At the heart of Villa’s story are not just her boundless talent, drive, and national level by the year 2020. trademark positive attitude, but also her unlikely roots. Her hometown Project 2020 now had a name. doesn’t resemble a breeding ground for elite water polo players. Accord- ing to the U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce’s median household income After retiring from competition in 2012, Villa began growing Project is $51,022, and 14.2 percent of households live below the poverty line. 2020 into a yearlong program. East Palo Alto does not have a public pool, Nearly 95 percent of its residents identify as Hispanic. so she turned to the nearby Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park, Calif., which has similar demographics and a public pool. 20 VISION Making It Happen Cori Matuta, the mother of 11-year-old twin girls, would struggle to af- ford their participation on the team without the help of Project 2020. She The reality of Belle Haven does not match its idyllic moniker. Look at observes that her girls are talking “more seriously about eating healthy” the worn-down 1940’s bungalows and the kids playing soccer on the and adds, speaking of Villa: “They love her. We (parents) love her, too. concrete court of a dingy apartment building, and you’d never guess that She always has a positive attitude with the girls and with us. I’m just hundreds of Silicon Valley millionaires share the same zip code—or per- grateful that the girls are here.” haps more poignant, that Facebook calls this neighborhood home. The prosperity of the tech boom seems to have forgotten this part of town. A Vision for the Future In April 2013, Villa held presentations at local schools and at the Belle Haven community pool to recruit girls for the program. Her efforts pro- Villa looks forward to starting self-sustaining Project 2020 teams in duced a crop of females unfamiliar with water polo but eager to follow an low-income communities across the country. “If someone wanted to Olympic medalist from a similar background. write a huge check for Project 2020,” Villa remarks, only half joking, she could fund new 2020 teams, which would then be responsible for finding On a chilly February evening less than a year later, 26 girls between the their own ways to keep costs down for participants—a theme she returns ages of nine and 14 practice passing, shooting, and shot blocking at the to again and again: “It all comes down to keeping it low-cost.” pool. Villa walks the deck, issuing a constant stream of admonitions and encouragement. Funding comes from four sources: Beyond Barriers Athletic Foun- dation—a nonprofit charitable organization—subsidizes the bulk of “Valeria, instead of going with your left, can you move your body and participants’ fees; Project 2020 pays for equipment, uniforms, and addi- your arm to try and catch it with your right?” tional funding for families who need it; the city of Menlo Park owns the “Miss Montse! How do you catch? You go to the ball. Arms up—get off pool; and a for-profit company pays Villa’s coaching salary and leases the ball!” the pool from the city. “You, too, Mariela! Let’s go! Arms up!” This creates a tangled web of insurance, financial, and legal red tape that hampers Villa’s ability to use volunteers—one of Project 2020’s greatest She stops for a moment to point across the pool. When practices began in potential resources. “So many people have reached out” that she’s had to May 2013, she says her charges “all started in the shallow end. They were turn down, Villa says, a note of frustration in her voice. almost afraid of the deep water.” Then, with characteristic confidence, she adds: “It’s a matter of pulling She smiles, then springs back to the present. “Oh, nice shot! OK, Alexia, all those resources together. I could make that happen. It’s about finding get ready for the next one.” the best way to do it and following the rules.” Changing Lives With less red tape and more money, the Belle Haven program would of- fer academic support, nutrition and health education—even swimming Numerous studies show that participation in organized sports boosts lessons for parents—all at little or no cost to participants. Villa rattles off fitness, grades, self-confidence, and engagement in school. But a 2006 a list of local organizations she’d like to work with to coordinate tutoring study conducted by the Harvard Family Research Project showed that and water polo “because it’s not going to matter if you don’t do well in only 36% of low-income youth participate in organized sports, citing school.” For now she does what she can with what she has, seizing op- cost as a major factor. Villa’s mission to offer a low-cost aquatic program portunities with the determination and optimism that fueled her success to this population makes perfect sense. as a water polo player. The experience of the girls in Villa’s program supports the research. An eighth-grader from a wealthier neighborhood recently approached Azucena Sandoval says of her nine-year-old daughter, “She’s more ac- Villa and asked if she and her classmates could set up a peer-tutoring tive, her grades are higher, she’s more confident. She is very strong.” program for the team. Insurance and space issues prevent tutoring ses- She continues, “When [she] started, she didn’t even really know how to sions at the pool, but Villa has learned that the elementary school next swim, and now she’s thinking about the future, to keep going and play- door has a classroom open until 5 p.m. ”Now I’m working to set that up,” ing in high school.” she says. College is coming into the picture, too. Villa tells the story of a recent If her water polo past is any indication of what Villa can accomplish conversation with one player: “[She] was like, ‘Can water polo help you when she works to set things up, look out: 2020 is going to be great. get a scholarship?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes. That’s how I—yes, I—I got a schol- arship. I’ve talked about this.’” Villa laughs. “It’s funny to see when the To support or learn more about Project 2020, go to http://projecttwen- light bulb finally turns on for them.” tytwenty.weebly.com/.

usawaterpolo.org 21 BY JAMES SMITH, TOTALWATERPOLO.COM, FOUNDER, CENTRAL TEXAS WATER POLO CLUB ON THE GROUND GROWING TEXAS WATER POLO The record for most goals scored in a single NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championship Tournament match is nine. In 1972, UC Santa Barbara’s Greg Carey did so against Yale in an opening-round contest. Four years later, Blake Hinman hoisted the same number in his initial game. For which sun-baked Golden State squad did Hinman play? National champions Stanford? Defending title-holders Cal? Try Texas A&M University. Gig ‘em! In two glorious years, 1976 and 1978, the Aggies compiled a 2-4 record as Texas’ first and only representative at the NCAA Championship Tournament. And though Hinman and many of his talented squadmates were California imports, plenty of others arrived via Texas clubs and high schools. Thirty-six years have passed since the legendary, late Dennis Fosdick led that squad to its pinnacle. And beyond the state borders its mark was lightly left. But within, it’s difficult to find someone in the community who wasn’t somehow touched by “Foz” or the Aggies. The sport is finding fertile ground for growth here in the Lone Star State, and much credit can be given to those who emerged from that unlikely College Station program. I am writing this letter to offer my support for the UIL’s consideration of water polo as an official high school sport in the great state of Texas. I am also offering you the support of USA Water Polo, our sport’s governing body by U.S. Olympic Committee charter, in virtually any area you and your colleagues believe that we may be of service… - Christopher Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer, USA Water Polo, Inc. to UIL Assistant AD Traci Neely Fosdick is credited with boosting high school water polo in the state by launching its first championships. In 1972 the A&M Consolidated boys and the Clear Lake girls (24 years before California’s first sanctioned girls’ event) won the first state titles. Since then the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) has managed the annual title tournament, with a few interesting exceptions. But now the UIL is making positive noises about sanctioning the sport, potentially adding it to the 13 already under its purview. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) “has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world,” according to its own website. Its oversight includes high school football championships in this pigskin-crazy state. Last season more than 50,000 fans attended those games held at the Dallas Cowboys’ billion-dollar stadium (California’s high school football championships hosted fewer than 20k). A UIL stamp of approval would alter the scene markedly, not only providing water polo more legitimacy, but also codifying the payment of high school coaches now often compensated via booster clubs or, in some cases, not at all. WATER POLO’S

BIGGER IN TEXAS BY GREG MESCALL The old saying goes that everything His second camp drew 225. is bigger in Texas. Except for many years Clearly there was desire for youths to play more water “everything” didn’t include water polo. polo. “Kids wanted to do more, a lot of people wanted to do more water polo,” Linehan said. “What was being offered wasn’t While the Lone Star state won’t be confused with California enough.” just yet as the epicenter of American water polo, strides made Determined to help the sport grow, Linehan moved over the last decade—along with the potential for massive back to Texas—to Houston specifically, which had the largest growth in the near future—have placed Texas in a great spot. concentration of water polo at the time—to start a club. With a huge vote looming this fall to include water polo as Linehan launched the Houston Water Polo Club: “We had a state-sanctioned sport along with football, the opportunity for thirty kids at our first practice and it grew every year,” he said. a water polo explosion has never been greater. “Houston Water Polo helped absorb other local kids who wanted But water polo isn’t new in Texas; it’s been a high school a place to play.” sport since the mid-1970s with regions taking their turns at Linehan—along with the help of many others in the Texas dominance. In the beginning San Antonio-area schools were the water polo community in Texas, including Scott Slay—continued best, which gave way to Houston in the late 1980s and early to grow the club. In 2006 the two put together an 18U girls 1990s. While Houston-area schools have remained the dominant team to compete in the then-National Age Group Championships, force in the high school game, St. Mark’s—a private school in the where the team earned second place. Just three weeks later at Dallas area—has returned to prominence after being out of the Junior Olympics the same group took 12th. sport for more than a decade. (See the accompanying article Linehan and Slay knew that while growth was there, they by James Smith of Totalwaterpolo for more on the high school needed to reach another level. “In between NAGs and JOs we sport’s growth and upcoming vote.) played one tournament, everyone else played a million games While Houston has been a reliable source of water polo and practiced,” Linehan recalled. “We practiced twice a week.” for many years, other areas of the state wavered in their While it’s been established that Texas is big, its major cities commitment from year to year. Add to it that when aquatic are big, too. That meant it was tough for one major club to truly sports are mentioned in Texas, swimming always come first. cover all of Houston. So Linehan and Slay set about growing the So what changed? club larger and larger, educating parents, setting up a board A turning point may have come in 2003. Joe Linehan—a San of directors, and leaving the club eligible to split into a pair of Antonio native who played high school water polo in the region’s well-established clubs if desired. heyday—returned to run a camp at Texas A&M University. At the same time the sport was ramping back up at Linehan, then head coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy the high school level, water polo was recognized by TISCA, 22 in New York, attracted 60 kids to his first camp. ON THE GROUND GROWING TEXAS WATER POLO

USA Water Polo participation is growing significantly in Texas: In 2013 USAWP ended the year with 940 full disclosure). Rules that had made it difficult for new teams outside of San Antonio to participate have members in the Southwest zone—920 of those members reside in Texas. The zone continues to show growth at been dropped. Coed and consolidated teams are encouraged. Even club teams can compete until the regional the local club level... championships, when only single-school and -gender squads can qualify for the states. With four automatic - Ramsey letter bids to the finals at stake, enthusiasm has been high, growth has been steady if unspectacular, and quality is understandably low. “Significant” growth of amateur club membership is a positive measure of the sport’s health, obviously. Not so in Houston. That area alone boasts two of the four TISCA regions: East and South. Teams from [See Greg Mescall’s article] More importantly the UIL is being presented, I’m told, with rosy growth figures for there have won every girls’ state championship since the late 80s, and all but one boys’ title. Its squads face high school teams. Just three years ago the total number in the state hovered around 90. This season, which few obstacles this spring toward earning another title. loosely began at the end of February, that figure has risen to more than 100 with new teams often emerging The exception being Dallas’ St. Mark’s School, 2009 boys’ state champions. Their prep program is headed out of the blue. A boys’ team from McAllen, 20 minutes from the Mexican border, entered its first tournament by Romanian import Mihai Oprea, who has helped elevate the quality of training in the area with his strict just last week. focus on European technique. They also recently added former U.S. Men’s National Team member Spencer Unheard of in well-developed markets such as California. Here, such spontaneity is encouraged with a Dornin to the coaching roster. The Lions are anchored by Senior Timothy Simenc, a talented lefty who trains nearly blindered interest in growth. If you can cobble together seven high schoolers with a vague ability to with California powerhouse club LaMorinda during the summers. Their coach, Trent Calder, says the Dallas swim, you got yourself a high school team. An exaggeration? Maybe, but not by much. youngster, who may surpass former Ross Sterling and USC standout Zayne Belal as Texas’ finest export, is That freewheeling attitude is most strongly encouraged in TISCA’s West Region. Draw a line northward already being strongly recruited by the best Division I schools. from McAllen, not far from the southernmost tail of the state, through San Antonio, Austin, and up to Waco (a Dallas is also home to the godfather of water polo in Texas, Joe Linehan [featured below]. He and mere 400 miles). Every high school along that corridor and in the cosmically vast area toward New Mexico is colleague Chris Cullen, also TISCA Water Polo Board Chair, not only feed talent in to the Dallas interscholastic theoretically included. scene via North Texas Thunder, but also are deeply involved in persuading the UIL to sanction the game. A During the 1980s, teams from San Antonio, formerly the regional power, dominated the state decision on the matter may come as early as November of this year. championships. The Alamo-area high schools, save one, dropped out of TISCA competition altogether at the With that energy, a laser-point focus on growth, improved coaching, and the lure of official UIL end of the 2012 season, disheartened by declining success at state championships. sponsorship, the future appears promising for water polo in Texas. The power vacated by San Antonio leadership has now shifted to Austin-area coaches (myself included,

the official organization governing high school swimming. Linehan. “The number of athletes playing the sport has gone history. Linehan points to southern (McAllen) and western Texas Traditionally a fall sport in Texas, water polo was struggling up dramatically, three to four times the amount in the last five (Odessa and Waco) as possible areas with water WATER POLO’S to grow at the high school level as it ran parallel to an ever- years. So many more kids are playing in high school and playing polo action. expanding swim season. After a couple of seasons of discontent in a summer league through their high school.” In addition to the efforts of Linehan, Thomas, and Smith, during which some programs wanted to remain a fall sport and Meanwhile Houston Water Polo, now known as West the work of many others is helping to grow the sport in the BIGGER IN TEXAS others were willing to move to the spring, all the competing Houston Water Polo (or Viper Pigeon) continues to thrive. Under state, as nearly 20 USA Water Polo clubs operate in Texas. teams were aligned in the spring in 2010-2011. the direction of Rudy Thomas, former assistant coach with Robert Albach, a Masters Committee member, heads up the Thanks to the move to the spring and the efforts of people Linehan, the club anticipates close to 400 athletes this summer Austin Water Polo Club, while Kevin Kehoe pilots Jesuit Water like TISCA Chairman Chris Cullen, there are now 110 teams and potentially 150 competing at Junior Olympics. Polo, a Houston area club. San Antonio has started to rise playing statewide, up from just 42 in 2009. Also in 2009 Linehan In addition Thomas is setting up more localized leagues again in the scholastic ranks and Jim Yates, a California native, continued his growth campaign, moving from Houston to Dallas within Houston in which his athletes can compete. Previously continues his efforts with the San Antonio Water Polo Club. to jumpstart water polo-growth in that area. While St. Mark’s they had taken part in the high school-affiliated Jalapeno Anne Woolweaver is not only a key to the success of the Texas had returned to form in boys’ water polo in recent years— League, but with matches closer to home, the hope is to retain Wildcat Water Polo Club, she is also instrumental in the high annually a state-title contender—little else was developing. more athletes. school state championship tournament. Other clubs are affiliated Then George Fenton, who runs a masters team in the “The majority of growth has been in the last four or five with local colleges such as TCU and the University of Texas Dallas area, convinced Linehan to come on board and try years,” Thomas said. “It blew my mind. I knew it was growing while others are serving the masters age group. It all adds up to improving an area with no age-group club water polo and just but it was slow and steady until just recently.” a lot of people in Texas dedicated to the game of water polo. three high schools active. With Houston and Dallas secured, other areas were looking And for many the biggest thing on their radars is a vote by “Immediately we had 16 high schools playing, we made it for their opportunity for development. Enter James Smith, the University Interscholastic League, something that will affect easy for everyone,” said Linehan. He continued, saying he told founder of Totalwaterpolo.com, into the Austin area. all concerned with growth. people “tell me what you can do—you can only play a certain “James, he got a lot done in a short period of time; he “I lose kids every eighth-grade summer,” says Thomas. number of games; we can make that work.” got three pools going,” Thomas said. “I’m really excited “They do it for fun, and they like it, and then I talk to their In addition to bolstering the high school scene, Linehan had about Austin.” parents, or I get an email, and they thank me but add they’re a major impact on club water polo. Dallas Water Polo Club had Smith started Central Texas Water Polo and has been a key sticking with swimming because they’re enrolled in a school been a masters club but transitioned to include age groups for a player in expanding water polo in that area. Longhorn Aquatics— district that doesn’t offer water polo.” short period of time. In that period Linehan helped develop two an already established water polo club based at the University of USA Water Polo has lent its support, contacting the clubs to cover all of the Dallas area. Thunder handles the Forth Texas and their coach Tom Andrew—helped broker a Dream Gold organization to tout the positives of the sport. Whether it passes Worth area while Lightning covers Dallas and East Dallas. In clinic earlier this year featuring Olympians Courtney Mathewson, or not, the sport is on a definite upward trend in the state, 2011 Thunder and Lightning combined to bring 11 teams to the Kelly Rulon, Tumua Anae, and thanks to the likes of Linehan, Thomas, Smith and a whole host Junior Olympics. Ryan Bailey. of others. Since that time Linehan has maintained control of Thunder, Olympians visiting the state for a clinic isn’t new but along “As long as they ask for help, I’m happy to help,” said which has expanded to one of the largest clubs in the state with with everything else it’s part of a surge in the sport. Linehan. “If ya’ll beat me to go to Junior Olympics, good 250 kids. Lightning branched off into two clubs: One for St. “James has really helped out, spearheading the whole luck to you—I’m just happy to see the sport grow.” Mark’s, the local high school power, and another called Rockwall ‘let’s get organized’ thing, which is going to help growth,” added Water Polo (their fundraiser was recently featured in SkipShot). Linehan. “Now we have more than 30 high schools playing Thomas believes San Antonio is the next area primed for water polo in the Dallas area; we had them every year,” said a breakout—or more of a rebirth considering their scholastic usawaterpolo.org 23 HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Southern California hosts girls high school water polo in the winter months. Here are the 2014 champions from those sections: CIF-LA CITY SECTION Eagle Rock 14 - Palisades 7 CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION Division 1: Carlsbad 16 - Granite Hills 3 Division 2: Valhalla 8 - Westview 4 Division 3: The Bishop’s School 9 - La Jolla 5 CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION Division 1: Laguna Beach 10 - Newport Harbor 7 Division 2: Santa Margarita 5 - Mater Dei 4 Division 3: Los Osos 7 - Mira Costa 6 Division 4: La Serna 5 - Troy 4 Division 5: Riverside-Poly 15 - Warren 10 Division 6: Palm Desert 8 - Yorba Linda 6 Division 7: Segerstrom 7 - Ocean View 4

HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP CORRECTIONS We apologize for incorrectly listing or omitting results from high school state championships in our last issue. OREGON The Tualatin High School girl’s water polo team was incorrectly referred to at Tualatin Hills in regard to its victory over Lincoln 7-5. CALIFORNIA CIF-CCS (CENTRAL COAST SECTION): Boys Division 1: Bellarmine 12 (25th CCS Title) - Menlo-Atherton 6

Girls Division 1: St. Francis-Mountain View 9 (2nd consecutive CCS Title) - Gunn 2

Boys Division 2: Sacred Heart Prep 12 (3rd consecutive CCS Title of 6) - Menlo School 9

Girls Division 2: Sacred Heart Prep 14 (7th consecutive CCS Title) - Castilleja 7

The score for the Campolindo-Miramonte boy’s water polo title match in the CIF-North Coast Section Division 1 title game was incorrectly listed, it was actually Campolindo 11 - Miramonte 10

Mid-Atlantics Final Game: GHS 9 - Navy AC 7

Tournament of the Americas Final Game: GHS 11 - Pittsburgh 9

Girls Easterns: Lawrenceville School 12 Hill School 12-7

24 Fisher Cup Junior Olympics San Diego, CA San Jose, CA 2014 May 17–18, 2014 July 26–August 3, 2014 Women’s FINA 12th Annual USA Intercontinental Water Polo Golf Qualification Tournament CALENDAR Tournament Mission Viejo, CA Riverside, CA September 12, 2014 (subject to change) May 19–25, 2014 OF EVENTS Rock-tober Men’s National Team PCA 12 & Under Exhibition Series vs. Serbia Classic Northern California Mesa, AZ June 2–8, 2014 (4 matches) October 24–26, 2014

Masters Nationals TYR Irvine, CA Champions Cup AmericanPistachios.org June 6–8, 2014 Location TBD November 7–10, 2014 US Open Of Water Polo Visit USAWaterPolo.org Pomona, CA for complete schedule information July 18–20, 2014 with Wagner Water Polo Eger, Hungary, By Rachel Burns –January 15, 2014

10:30AM

7:00am: It’s breakfast time for the team! An early start to the day, especially while still adjusting to the time change—but then again you can’t complain when you’re training halfway around the world. 12:00 PM 10:30am: We are lucky enough to scrimmage with Eger Club, a team that’s been very successful in Hungarian competition. Playing against these girls will provide us with a lot of experience and allow us to come together as a unit before we begin games in February. This scrimmage is a full four-quarter game and is taken very seri- 12:30PM ously by both teams.

12:00pm: All bundled up in our winter woolies, we are taken through the city streets to visit the second largest Catholic church in Hungary. The spectacular Basilica is the only classicist building in Eger, built between 1831 and 1836. The stained-glass windows are breathtaking.

12:30pm: We are fortunate to be indulged with an Organ Con- cert. The number of keys and pedals triples that of a regular piano, 2:00PM due to the number of pipes. It’s beautiful to hear such exquisite mu- sic, and we are truly experiencing the sorrow, happiness, and anger throughout each piece. 3:00PM 2:00pm: Lunch is served at our little restaurant, Mélyvíc. It’s becoming a regular spot for us and is the best place to practice our Hungarian words. The team’s favorite? Köszönöm, which means “thank you.” We receive soup to start off the meal, and for our main course we have chicken and rice. This is becoming a routine…but a delicious one nonetheless!.

3:00pm: We’re granted free time to roam Eger, which is rela- tively small and therefore relatively easy for most of the team to keep their bearings. Although we’re allowed to go our own ways, we stuck together to seek out the store that sold “chimneys”—or as they’re formally known, Kürtősalács. Our tour guide recommended this special Hungarian and Transylvanian dessert. They come topped with cinnamon, vanilla sugar, cocoa, or coconut—and any flavor we choose was delicious!

9:00pm: Finally we tramp back to our hotel for a buffet dinner filled with amazing choices. Dinner for our team is always full of chat- ting and laughter and provides us time to reflect on what a great day we had. We are so thankful to our hosts from PoloQuest as well as for how fortunate we are to be in Hungary for our training trip this year. 9:00PM

26

The Water Polo Scene

The Santa Clara Swim Club found a great way to bond and get some exercise away from the pool by taking part in The Color Run.

The Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City, Utah was the back- drop for a USA Water Polo Coach and Referee School, one of many throughout the country in 2014.

On the heels of their record sixth straight NCAA Championship, the USC Men’s Water Polo team met with President Barack Obama on a recent visit to Washington D.C. honoring NCAA Champions. Athletes from all over the country took part in the ODP Regional Championships this past March. The girl’s team from the Southeast Zone poses here for a photo during competition in Northern California.

The ODP Regional Championships took place in four different locations this past March. Here are boys from the Southeast Not to be outdone, the USC Women’s Water Polo team was also on Zone that competed at the East/West Regional in Texas hand to meet with President Obama in honor of their 2013 NCAA crown.

photos courtesy of Jim Cullingham, Santa Clara Swim Club, ODP Parents, USC Athletics, Randy Walters usawaterpolo.org 27 STICKY WHEN WET

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SHOOTING BY ANGELA KRAUS FOR COLLEGE FREQUENTLY ASKED Since my first article appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of SkipShot, I’ve heard from quite a few readers with questions stemming from articles in subsequent magazine issues. I welcome the opportunity to communicate with readers directly. Once again I thought I would devote this issue to sharing some recent ques- tions and answers with you: When should I start contacting prospective college coaches in order to have a chance of being 1recruited to play water polo in college? The best times to contact prospective water polo to provide your cap number and game/event swimmer who wants to play water polo, coaches are usually between spring of sopho- schedule. High-profile athletes who participate but I’m afraid that none of the coaches more year and the winter/spring of junior year— and progress in ODP can contact coaches after would want me to play for them. What but definitely by the summer between junior and the conclusion of ODP Regional Champion- should I do? senior year. Seniors can continue to initiate con- ships, especially if they’re selected to participate tact with coaches during the season, especially if in the training camps. College coaches often The best way for you to explore collegiate wa- they’re having a “break out” season, but gener- attend these events and based on what they see ter polo opportunities is to continue playing ally this works better for boys (and some girls, may move forward with the recruiting process, as often as possible, and starting now and into e.g.: Northern California) because they play in which may include inviting elite prospective the beginning of your senior year, consider at- the fall (i.e., college application season) than for student-athletes to on-campus junior days or tending one or more instructional water polo girls who play in the winter or spring seasons official visits. High school students also may camps or clinics—especially those hosted by (i.e., after application deadlines have passed). invite coaches to watch them play in major tour- colleges you’re considering so you can work on developing your water polo skills. These are usu- The best way to contact prospective coaches is naments during their high school seasons—and ally held during the summer, and information by e-mail—send a letter introducing yourself depending on their schedules, many college about camps & clinics** is on the USA Water and expressing interest in the school and its wa- coaches try to attend these tournaments as Polo website under the Community tab at http:// ter polo program and complete online athletic well, especially if they’re interested in usawaterpolo.org/community/camps-clinics. recruiting questionnaires for the schools that particular athletes. html. Please also see my article about Water Polo interest you. See the College Directory at http:// For more information and tips about communi- Camps and Clinics at http://www.usawaterpolo. usawaterpolo.org/community/college-directory. cating with college coaches, please refer to my org/genrel/082213aac.html. html for a list of schools offering intercollegiate article, “Contacting College Coaches,” which water polo programs, including the names and appeared in SkipShot’s Winter 2011 issue, http:// For help finding colleges that offer water polo contact information for the head coaches of each www.usawaterpolo.org/genrel/032713aaq.html. programs, you can visit http://www.usawater- program. Don’t be discouraged if a coach doesn’t polo.org/genrel/032713aai.html for my article, respond right away, especially if they’re in the I’m a competitive swimmer in “Considering College Water Polo.” There are two primary ways to determine whether a school of- middle of the season. Remember that some my junior year of high school in coaches are in charge of men’s and women’s var- fers a desired major and water polo programs. sity teams, so they’re busy year-round. Also, you the Midwest. I’ve been compet- In addition to searching the individual inter- 2ing since I was in sixth grade and have may hear from an assistant coach to whom the collegiate programs as described in my article, head coach may have delegated responsibility been on my high school’s varsity swim you can perform a broad search via the college for recruiting. team since my freshman year. We play search function on the College Board website https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college- Rising juniors and seniors can invite coaches a game of water polo every week, and search. Once on the site, input your search to watch them play in any summer tourna- it’s a lot of fun. Unfortunately there are criteria—in this case, major and sport (men’s ments, such State High School Championships no water polo leagues in my state, but or women’s water polo), and any other desired (California), “Skills & Drills” (San Diego area), I’m thinking about playing in college. criteria selected from the toolbar on the left side U.S. Club Championships, and JOs—be sure I’d like to find colleges interested in a

30 FROM THE DECK of the page— then follow the prompts and see s/he will have to work extra hard to get include his/her cap #--s/he may be able to get what comes up. This search will yield intercol- their attention. Is there anything s/he some visibility. legiate and club programs at two- and four-year can be working on this year to get the Another way to get noticed is to consider attend- public and private schools, so you can narrow it process going? ing water polo clinics or camps offered at schools further from there if you like. Compare the re- You’re right—your athlete (like all aspiring stu- s/he’s considering. These are usually held during sults of both methods for a comprehensive list of the summer. Information about camps & clin- everything available. dent-athletes from any part of the United States) will have to work hard to be prepared to compete ics** is on the USA Water Polo website under Since you’re a competitive swimmer, you may in an intercollegiate water polo program and be the Community tab (http://usawaterpolo.org/ want to explore opportunities at colleges that of- considered for potential recruiting opportuni- community/camps-clinics.html). fer both sports. You can conduct your search for ties. In order to improve, your child should be Finally, don’t overlook the many schools that of- such schools as described above. Once admit - competing with and against stronger players. fer club programs. These programs are strictly ted to a school as a swimmer, male swimmers One way to do so is to play for a club. In addi- recreational and don’t help with the admissions may have the option of talking to the water polo tion, s/he could consider participating in ODP, process in any way, but everyone I know who coach about walking on to the water polo team. where s/he’ll get to play with the top athletes in plays in a club program reports that they’re hav- Unfortunately this doesn’t work well for women her/his age group in your area, get to see how s/ ing a lot of fun, getting exercise, and meeting a because the collegiate swim season conflicts he “stacks up” against them, and get some good lot of people. with the women’s water polo season. coaching. If s/he does well, it may also give her/ him an opportunity to participate in regional The latter are just a few of the questions I often hear. I’m sure there are many more, so as always, feel free to My athlete is a sophomore in high championships—and possibly be invited to call or write if you have any questions. Thank you for school in the Pacific Northwest national training events. College coaches at- your feedback and your interest in this topic and col- with a strong passion for water tend these events and JOs because they’re good umn—and to USA Water Polo for providing a forum 3polo, but has only about two years of ways to see a lot of athletes at the same time and for this very important discussion. playing experience. S/He is playing compare their skills and abilities. If s/he com- **Note: Camp and clinic listings are paid for by the operators; inclusion in the USA Water Polo directory year-round and will be competing at municates with them in advance (introduces her/himself, expresses interest in the school is for readers’ information and convenience and does JOs this summer. Do coaches from not constitute an endorsement by USA Water Polo or and its water polo program, invites the coach the author of this article. California colleges notice athletes who to watch her/him play at an upcoming event— aren’t from California? I’m thinking

REFerendum WITH JIM CULLINGHAM Hi everyone, and happy reentry area when the player being subbed for The important thing for all of us to remember spring! reaches that area. BUT, I have never seen what is that we’re here for the betterment and devel- happened next: In their excitement to get into This will be an exciting opment of the game and the participants. the game, ALL the subs entered the field of play spring and summer for Sometimes the best course of action—if there at pretty much the same time from a variety all of us at USA Water truly is a level of confusion regardless of the of areas. Some jumped into the pool from the Polo, and we wish you well for a successful and situation—is to just stop play and confer with deck and some entered from behind the goal productive summer season. coaches and participants about what just hap- line, but NOT in the reentry area. I blew my pened, fix the problem, and make it a teachable This game of ours can be relatively simple, but whistle a couple of times to get everyone’s at - moment for all—including the referee. at times can also get a little confusing—espe- tention and pulled the ball out of the water. I cially with some of the “new” rules and inter- separated the players now in the water to their This is especially important for all of us to be pretations that we’ll all be dealing with over sides of the pool and went to talk to the coaches aware of as we move forward with some of the next few months and incorporating into about what had just transpired. After a brief those “new” rules. the game for at least the next four years. discussion during which I explained the proper On that note, we all can review those rules Ginger from the Mountain Zone writes with an procedure for “live time” substitution to both changes and interpretations on the USA Water example: “I love this game and have been refer- teams, and after a few smiles about what had Polo website at the following link: eeing for a couple of years. I’m having so much just happened, I returned possession to the team that had the ball when the “substitution” http://www.usawaterpolo.org/membership/ fun and am looking forward to a long career referee-playing-rules.html of water polo officiating. I am writing to ask occurred with a new possession clock and play about a situation I had occur in a game that I’ve continued with a lesson learned. Was I even As always, if you have any questions or con- never seen before and was frankly at a loss as to close to right?” cerns about these changes or any of the playing how to handle. One of the teams participating Ginger, you did exactly the right thing! rules, the game in general, or refereeing, please in the game decided to substitute ALL of their contact us at [email protected]. There are many times during a game when a field players at the same time! They were on referee has the opportunity to share knowl Thank you again for your time. defense when the coach called for the substi- - tution by way of the exclusion or reentry area. edge and expertise in an instructional way as OK, no problem—I know that a substitute may opposed to a punitive manner, and this was enter the field of play at any time via that same certainly one of those times. Jim Cullingham

usawaterpolo.org 31 FROM THE DECK USA WATER POLO

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VMI Steps Up To Help Fight Breast Cancer photo courtesy VMI Athletics The Virginia Military Institute women’s (WBCA) and The V Foundation, is a 501(c) water polo team went 4-1 during the (3) charitable organization committed to VMI Classic in early March—but what finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers by raising money for scientific research, the Keydets did outside the pool left a assisting the underserved, and unifying people deeper impression. for a common cause. Over the course of the three-day event, the Yow, former North Carolina State University Keydets raised $3,500 as part of Play 4Kay, head women’s basketball coach, was diagnosed which benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. with breast cancer in 1987 and passed away on During the team’s 19-5 win over Penn State- January 24, 2009 after facing her third bout Behrend, the Keydets donned pink caps to help with the disease. By creating the Fund, Yow raise awareness for breast cancer research. hoped to raise money to further cutting-edge Several Lexington businesses joined VMI in research by America’s top doctors and medical the fundraising effort, including Sweet Treats experts to allow more cancer patients access to Bakery, which donated 100 cookies that were experimental drugs and clinical trials. Since The VMI Keydents donned pink swim caps and the majority of such research projects are helped raise $3,500 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund sold on Saturday afternoon. The local branch at a recent tournament. of Papa John’s Pizza also donated 15 percent privately funded, the researchers desperately of its Sunday sales total when the fundraiser need support to continue making strides in to support women’s cancer research. The Kay was mentioned. finding a cure for cancer. Yow Cancer Fund is the official charity of the initiative. See more at: www.play4kay.org The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in partnership with Since its inception in 2007, the Play 4Kay the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association initiative has raised more than $2.8 million

The First All Home School High School Water Polo Team By James Hummingbird Marshall Garrett started playing water polo for the Rockwall That was, until something happened to both of them—the homeschoolers Water Polo Club in the 12-year-old-and-under-coed division. entered their high school years. Life was good as the setup afforded Marshall the opportunity In Texas, spring is when high schools begin practicing and competing for to bond with friends year-round, given that the water polo opportunities in regional and state tournaments. But for Marshall and club offered league play during the spring, summer, winter, Sean, it meant a three-month water polo break since homeschooled high school students can’t compete on their local high school teams. and fall. So Linda Fletcher (Sean and Kyle’s mother) approached Rockwall Sean Fletcher began playing water polo in seventh grade. He followed Water Polo Club president Jim Hummingbird about this predicament. his younger brother Kyle into the sport for which they both developed a After a few emails and phone calls, Mr. Hummingbird established a passion. Sean needed a sport flexible enough to fit around his busy soccer committee, chaired by Linda Fletcher and including homeschool parents schedule, and water polo in Rockwall allowed for that. Cindi Garrett and Karen Jennings. Their role was to determine if there Spring seemed a very popular season for Marshall and Sean, as it created was enough interest among other homeschool students to support a chance for them to play in the Texas Age Group Championships. a homeschool water polo team. Jim’s role was to make sure such an

photo courtesy James Hummingbird endeavor was legal, and that the club parent board would be supportive of administering the first year. With commitments in hand and the green light for athletes to compete, the Rockwall Water Polo board approved its role as the team’s administrative support system, and the club hired Angela Uno as its first coach. The team practices on Wednesday and Thursday nights, side by side with the Rockwall Water Polo Club’s sixth/eighth-grade-and-under-youth teams. Most of the team members are learning the game while Sean and Marshall are playing heavy leadership roles for their homeschooled friends. They will compete in their first games later this March and are looking forward to competing in the North Texas Consolidated Championships on April 19. With youth players (middle school homeschoolers) Kyle Fletcher, Bryan Jennings, and Josiah Overstreet waiting in the wings, the program seems to have a bright future. For more information, or if you’re a homeschooled high school The All Home School High School squad: Coach Angela Uno (behind goal) student interested in playing, feel free to contact Jim Hummingbird at Front row - Anna Zieleniewsski, Josiah Panak. Back row - Will Pecena, Ty Cowan, Burke Seggerman, Marshall Garrett, Sean Fletcher. [email protected]. The team welcomes new members throughout the season. 34 LOB SHOTS Heartbroken Family Remembers UC-Santa Barbara Water Polo Player Nick Johnson By Giana Magnoli - Noozhawk.com photo courtesy Ryan Kelly/Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Nick Johnson’s childhood room looks untouched from the time he moved out to attend UC Santa Barbara. His athletic accomplishments shout out from plaques on every wall, trophies lining every shelf and rows of medals hanging in the closet. There are intimidating pictures of him playing water polo next to ones of him smiling with siblings and cousins. Nick Johnson was doing what he loved—swim training for water polo—when he died on March 24 at age 19. While doing laps with the swim team at his alma mater, Santa Barbara High School, other swimmers noticed he was at the bottom of the Nick Johnson was remembered with a paddle out in Santa Barbara on April 5. pool. He was quickly pulled up to the pool deck, but despite frantic and prolonged efforts to his life of hard work was an inspiration to “He was so good-hearted,” said Kristen Jensen, revive him, he was pronounced dead at Santa teammates, family and friends. Nick’s aunt. “He was just the nicest kid.” Barbara Cottage Hospital. Mark Walsh, his Santa Barbara High coach, Jensen’s children were devastated by the news A fearless competitor and relentless athlete, told Noozhawk that “Nick will not be of their cousin’s death and haven’t been able to Nick started playing water polo a few years remembered for a goal he scored, a pass he stop crying in two days, she said. before high school. By then he’d already been made or a center he shut down,” but for his Nick was the oldest and most stable, reliable running every race in town, putting up world dedication, desire and heart. “His display of one of the four siblings, his dad said. records for indoor rowing and competing in relentless hard work made lasting changes to baseball, basketball and karate. the work ethic of the athletes in his class and “We thought he’d be the one to take care of us when we were older,” he said. “We just ... don’t This was not a young man accustomed to in the classes behind him,” he said of the 2012 know what to do.” staying still for long, family and friends say. Santa Barbara High graduate. “Years later, when you see one of our kids jump in the pool Since the news spread , the Johnsons say they’ve His power in the pool, both on club teams and first or a kid push himself to his limit, you’ll see been blessed by the outpouring of support. the Santa Barbara High varsity team, helped a piece of Nick.” The already close-knit water polo community him get into college, the elder Johnson said. Walsh even had Nick help coach freshmen and quickly closed ranks, with families eagerly “He didn’t study much,” he told Noozhawk. sophomore players while still a student himself, signing up to make meal deliveries to help out. “Thank God for water polo because he wouldn’t he said. “If I was ever in need of help to coach Two of Nick’s siblings also play water polo. Sam, be in UCSB without it.” or run a tournament, I thought of Nick first.” a senior at Santa Barbara High, was playing Moving just a few miles away from his Last week, Nick was one of two players to in Kotor, Montenegro, with a club team when Montecito home, Nick lived in Isla Vista with make every practice session during finals at he got the devastating news. He and some six water polo teammates — which made for UCSB, even though he had to study hard to get teammates flew back the next night. Sam and some interesting family visits, his dad recalled. through his classes, his dad said. Nick had been talking to Wigo about having Augie Johnson and his wife, Karen, and Nick’s the brothers play together at UCSB, Johnson “Wolf said this was his year, that’s why he was said. At the aquatics club, Wigo also coaches three younger siblings have been to countless training so hard,” said Johnson, who added that games over the years to watch him play. Action Sophie, the youngest Johnson and a student at he wonders if that’s what happened in the pool, Montecito Union School. shots are hung all over their house. that maybe he pushed himself too hard. “We lived on the pool deck,” Johnson said. Cooper, the lone water polo holdout, plays An investigation into Nick’s death is underway, volleyball for Santa Barbara High. Nick entered the world of water polo with but it’s still unclear what happened. No coach Wolf Wigo, who went on to become witnesses report seeing Nick in distress before To honor Nick’s legacy, the family is working his Santa Barbara Aquatics Club and UCSB discovering him at the bottom of the pool, with UCSB and Santa Barbara High School to coach. Although he wasn’t a natural, what set according to Santa Barbara police. arrange a scholarship fund in his name. him apart—and advanced him beyond the dog- The family is struggling to get through each The Santa Barbara High School Aquatics paddling—was his relentless work ethic. hour now, but a lot of extended family members Booster Club has a link on its site for a Nick “He’s not the biggest or the strongest, but he just — mostly from Berkeley, where Augie and Johnson Memorial Fund, at the request of the grinds,” Johnson said. “He was always the first Karen grew up and were teenage sweethearts family. Money will support the high school in the pool and last to leave; it’s just his nature.” at Berkeley High School—have descended on aquatics program. Santa Barbara. This article reprinted with permission from The sophomore utility player trained every Noozhawk.com - Article was condensed for space day, whether his Gauchos team did or not, and

usawaterpolo.org 35 In order to get into the magazine, we need high-quality digital photos (jpegs of 300 dpi or better) so that your brilliance is brought to life on our glossy pages. So send in your masterpieces. Email all photos to: [email protected]. There is no assurance that your photos will run in USA Skip Shot Magazine. Editorial decisions are made by the maga- zine staff. Once we receive your photos, they become property of USA Water Polo and may be used for print or publication.

Welcome to Skip Shot Magazine’s Hot Shots page, featuring shots from your fingertips. The person who submits each issue’s best HOT SHOT will receive a free Mikasa men’s or women’s water polo ball. For more information on Mikasa visit www.MikasaSports.com. This issue’s winner is Eric Dixon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Honorable mention to the remaining photo submissions. Counter clockwise from below left: John Wagenhofer Bottom left: Michael Pavlovic, Bottom center: Shari Tolbert Bottom right: Tracy Dale, Top right: Wendy DeFusco

36

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