Wet 'n Wild
Miami's Men's Water Polo Club Team
Ana Zawacki Photos By Ben Philabaum
Issue date: 10/19/09 Section: Sports
The players have the grace of a dancer, the speed of a competitive swimmer, the stamina and strength of a football player, the aggressiveness of a wrestler and the coordination of a basketball point guard.
This blend of talent leaves some spectators wondering how Miami University's men's water polo team could NOT be a varsity sport.
Well, for starters, they don't have an official coach. At least not anymore.
But as Miami's most successful club team, the men's water polo players could very well turn into the "spark" the school's athletic department is looking for.
No coach doesn't rule out grueling hours of practice. After the team's former coach left Miami three years ago, instead of freaking out like fish out of water, the players took it upon themselves to run the team, sticking to a strict schedule of 10 practice hours a week, Monday through Thursday. The weekends are often packed with tournaments. It's this dedication that's made the team successful.
"The leadership we have on the team is outstanding and for that reason makes us stronger as a team and gives us even more motivation to win," says Miami sophomore Eric Keller.
Seniors Matt Preston and Matt Foody are two of these team leaders, along with junior Chris Bonk, president of the club.
"Together, we all contribute to running practice," Bonk says. "One of the greatest feelings that we all enjoy is beating a team with a head coach, which happens very frequently."
While no coach would put most teams at a disadvantage, many Miami water polo players feel it's just what they needed to get the team into "varsity quality" shape.
"It shows other teams that we are a highly cooperative group that doesn't need a coach to direct us in practice and on tournaments," Bonk says.
In 2007, the team's first year without a coach, they placed third in the nation, and according to Preston, a sophomore at the time, "it was the best showing we ever had at nationals."
Since then, the team has continued to grow. Already this year they've swept through their season opener - Tennessee's Hillbilly Classic Water Polo Tournament - undefeated, their best performance there in six years. They also placed second in Cincinnati's Nutty Invitational.
So why isn't water polo a varsity sport at Miami?
"Beyond a miracle, Miami is not going to be adding any more varsity sports," says Michael Arnos, Miami's director of club sports.
For years now, the team's petitioned to become a varsity sport at Miami, but just like other club sports, they receive the same answer. If Miami added the men's water polo team, it would also have to add a women's water polo team, increasing the amount of funding they would need.
"Miami University is currently compliant with Title IX regulations, utilizing roster management numbers that keep the athletic participation ratio of men / women equal to that of the university in general," says Jennie Gilbert, associate athletic director.
Not only would both teams need funding to become two new varsity sports teams, they would also still need equipment, means of transportation and an official coaching staff.
With a strong foundation of returning players and a new lineup of first-year players, the team is confident to set its goals high for a new season. After losing last year's conference championship by just one goal, the team's goal is to place in the top five at nationals this year.
Unlike past seasons where there were typically two or three key players the team focused on, this year the team's talent is spread out across the starting lineup and relies more on the team's performance as a whole.
"I can honestly say that our current team is the most motivated group of players in the three seasons I have been playing for Miami," Bonk says.
This blend of talent leaves some spectators wondering how Miami University's men's water polo team could NOT be a varsity sport.
Well, for starters, they don't have an official coach. At least not anymore.
But as Miami's most successful club team, the men's water polo players could very well turn into the "spark" the school's athletic department is looking for.
No coach doesn't rule out grueling hours of practice. After the team's former coach left Miami three years ago, instead of freaking out like fish out of water, the players took it upon themselves to run the team, sticking to a strict schedule of 10 practice hours a week, Monday through Thursday. The weekends are often packed with tournaments. It's this dedication that's made the team successful.
"The leadership we have on the team is outstanding and for that reason makes us stronger as a team and gives us even more motivation to win," says Miami sophomore Eric Keller.
Seniors Matt Preston and Matt Foody are two of these team leaders, along with junior Chris Bonk, president of the club.
"Together, we all contribute to running practice," Bonk says. "One of the greatest feelings that we all enjoy is beating a team with a head coach, which happens very frequently."
While no coach would put most teams at a disadvantage, many Miami water polo players feel it's just what they needed to get the team into "varsity quality" shape.
"It shows other teams that we are a highly cooperative group that doesn't need a coach to direct us in practice and on tournaments," Bonk says.
In 2007, the team's first year without a coach, they placed third in the nation, and according to Preston, a sophomore at the time, "it was the best showing we ever had at nationals."
Since then, the team has continued to grow. Already this year they've swept through their season opener - Tennessee's Hillbilly Classic Water Polo Tournament - undefeated, their best performance there in six years. They also placed second in Cincinnati's Nutty Invitational.
So why isn't water polo a varsity sport at Miami?
"Beyond a miracle, Miami is not going to be adding any more varsity sports," says Michael Arnos, Miami's director of club sports.
For years now, the team's petitioned to become a varsity sport at Miami, but just like other club sports, they receive the same answer. If Miami added the men's water polo team, it would also have to add a women's water polo team, increasing the amount of funding they would need.
"Miami University is currently compliant with Title IX regulations, utilizing roster management numbers that keep the athletic participation ratio of men / women equal to that of the university in general," says Jennie Gilbert, associate athletic director.
Not only would both teams need funding to become two new varsity sports teams, they would also still need equipment, means of transportation and an official coaching staff.
With a strong foundation of returning players and a new lineup of first-year players, the team is confident to set its goals high for a new season. After losing last year's conference championship by just one goal, the team's goal is to place in the top five at nationals this year.
Unlike past seasons where there were typically two or three key players the team focused on, this year the team's talent is spread out across the starting lineup and relies more on the team's performance as a whole.
"I can honestly say that our current team is the most motivated group of players in the three seasons I have been playing for Miami," Bonk says.
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