This is a very nice development. The teams will compete at SODA.
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This is great for the sport and future athletes and spectators.
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Bravo!! Great news for our sport!
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Wow, surprising and fantastic all at once.
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I’ve always thought St. Mary’s should add water Polo. A lot of coaches will be going for this, I’d imagine. I’m curious who gets it.
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Does this mean seniors in high school this year could start at st. Mary’s in the fall?
Perfectly located as a potential pipeline for CC United AND Lamorinda players
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Seniors in high school would start there next fall.
My guess is they have a few lined up in the transfer portal though.
Would kids want to go there if there isn’t a pool on campus?
Can a current college coach express interest in this job or can St. Mary’s interview a current college during season without some legal ramifications?
There is an NCAA certified pool on campus afaik, 25 yards wide, ten lanes (?), I am not completely sure…Used as a rec pool, I think.
“To launch the program, Saint Mary’s has established a partnership with nearby Campolindo High School, which will provide use of its Olympic-size swimming pool and Soda Aquatics Center. Looking ahead, the College will be developing a state-of-the-art aquatics facility of its own in the coming years, with vital support anticipated from donors, alumni, aquatics enthusiasts, and friends of Saint Mary’s.”
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This is great news. It seems like when we hear anything about an aquatics program at a college, it’s because something is being cut. So it’s awesome they are adding.
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Unfortunately, I think recruiting local players is going to be a challenge.
Curious as to why you would say that? There are so many players that never find a home especially at a place that plays in Division 1.
I specifically know several East Bay players that would definitely continued playing had this been an option at St. Mary’s College.
It’s an amazing campus in a Shangri-La area of the Bay. Cost will be a factor but I think with the right coaching staff they can be competitive very quickly.
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Great news. Saint Mary’s is going to appeal to a lot of athletes. Good luck to them.
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This is great news for the sport.
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someone pin this post! such positive news!! love it!
St. Mary’s hoops has a pipeline to Australian talent for the past 10+ years.
Perhaps that spills over to water polo as well?
Good point
If you’re a European player, do you take a long look at St Mary’s in Rheem/Moraga versus Pacific and Stockton?
St Mary’s is in a beautiful setting, with nice expensive suburbs on a couple sides and then open hills on the opposite sides.
And hopefully this is an option for the Cal Poly swimmers.
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