By 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
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
Nation’s Top Women’s Water Polo Teams—Minus #3 Cal—Gather for Kalbus Invite
The surprise leader of the women’s water polo pack at the quarter-mile mark are the Bruins of UCLA. Head Coach Adam Wright has forged an undefeated record by winning close contests—UCLA has beaten USC and Michigan by one—and blowing out lesser teams. Overall, the Bruins have outscored their opponents 239
An Immigrants’ (Water Polo) Tale: Jovana & Matej Sekulic Land at Princeton
Admission into Princeton University, one of the “Ancient Eight” more commonly known as The Ivy League, is extremely difficult for any individual to master. Which makes the accomplishment of siblings Jovana and Matej Sekulic—currently matriculating at Princeton—impressive, almost as impressive as their efforts for the school’s water polo program. Born
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