By Brian Flacks was named the new head coach at Stanford University on March 23, just a couple weeks after Jon Vargas’ surprising departure. He’ll take over as the men’s varsity head coach, only the fifth in the history of that storied program which has won 11 national titles. That’s a
By On Deck With Nikola Malezanov, Washington & Jefferson Men’s and Women’s Water Polo
Last week’s news about a move by Washington & Jefferson men’s water polo team from the staid Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) to the mighty Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) struck like a thunderbolt. How can a DIII program at a small, highly-selective private college in Pennsylvania stay afloat against
While Its Women Compete for Championships, MPSF Loads Up on Men’s Water Polo
Slipped into the hoopla surrounding the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) women’s water polo championship, won Sunday 11-9 by #2 Stanford over #1 USC, was an announcement notable for its potential ripple effect on often overlooked polo programs. [Stanford Claims Its First MPSF Crown Since 2014] In a statement last
A Perpetual Winner in the Water, Vavic Loses Varsity Blues Court Battle
In a surprising though not unexpected decision handed down last Friday, Jovan Vavic, the winningest water polo coach in NCAA history, was convicted by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of accepting bribes in conjunction with the massive college admissions fraud case commonly known as “Varsity Blues.” Sentencing for Vavic, now
A Rarity for This American Abroad: LEN Champions League Water Polo in Barcelona
BARCELONA, SPAIN. It was like something out of a dream—albeit one where water polo is the star. A packed house in a stunning aquatic facility. Players including Marco Bijac and Filip Filipovic facing Daniel López, and Felipe Perrone. Fancy lighting effects and an announcer’s booming out each goal. Television cameras
On The Record with Michael Goldenberg of South Florida Water Polo Club
Editor’s Note: This past February 18 – 20, teams flocked to the Coral Springs Aquatics Center in South Florida after a COVID-19 break last year. The South Florida International Water Polo Tournament—now in it’s 19th year—saw a return to form, with teams from all over the region participating in one
After Highly Publicized Search, Flacks Named New Stanford Men’s Water Polo Coach
One of the most desirable—and visible—positions in American collegiate water polo is no longer vacant. Brian Flacks, currently the Harvard-Westlake High School boys coach as well as head coach of the U.S. 18U Youth team, has been named to lead the Stanford men. He replaces John Vargas, who unexpectedly resigned
Brooklyn Water Polo Bleeds for Ukraine
As the conflict in Ukraine grinds on for a second week, the shock of armed combat in Eastern Europe has given way—at least in this country—to compassion for those most undeserving of chaos: children trapped by Russia’s brutal military assault against its neighbor. A young Russian now in New York
Being John Vargas
In the movie “Being John Malkovich,” the titular character’s mind is inhabited by a rag-tag bunch of friends and lovers to hilarious effect. One takeaway is that Malkovich, playing a satirical version of himself, is unknowable because his mind and actions are always being directed by others. This cannot be
LIU Women’s Water Polo Embarks on California Trip Pivotal to MAAC Title Hopes
A trip this weekend to California—for matches Friday and Saturday against four opponents—will provide LIU’s women’s water polo team critical feedback in its quest for the 2022 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title and a trip to the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament. If their recent effort against Top-25 opponents #19
