Illinois Water Polo New Coaches Orientation
Monday, February 6th 7:30pm via Zoom
This session is designed for coaches who are in their first or second year and is open to both Varsity and lower level coach. Topics include preparing for the season, organizing the season, organizing a practice, and developing community.
Please register HERE
We will email a Zoom link a few hours prior to the program.
Illinois Water Polo Community,
Last month, Matt shared that Coach Richard Dux had unexpectedly passed away. As our community processes the profound impact his loss has had on those that knew him, I wanted to take a moment to more fully remember Coach Rich and his involvement with Illinois water polo.
Rich’s love for water polo began at the age of 12 playing in the Chicago Park District. After playing with CPD for many years, Rich played NCAA division I water polo at Loyola University. He played in multiple Midwest Conference Championship and NCAA Division I National Championship tournaments. After graduation, Rich helped coach and train goalies at Loyola University for many years.
In 1979, Rich was selected to participate in the US Olympic trials for the 1980 team and was named team captain of the Midwest team. The trials at the time were known as the National Sports Festival. The Festival was both a US Olympic trials and Olympic developmental (pipeline) tournament. Unfortunately, the US withdrew from participation in the 1980 Summer Olympic in Moscow. In 1981, Rich was selected as a coach for the National Sports Festival Midwest team.
In addition to spending the last 5 years with East Side, Rich spent 5 years over two stints coaching at Northwestern University for their men’s club team and 4 years coaching at Niles West High School. He also was a referee in the state for many years.
Rich always brought passion and humor to the pool deck. He constantly pushed those around him to be better, myself included. When the East Side community gathered together to remember Coach Rich, many current and former athletes and parents shared stories of Rich’s great impact on them as athletes and humans. He will be dearly missed.
Please keep Rich’s family, friends and athletes in your thoughts as we process his loss over the course of the seasons to come. There will be a celebration of life held this summer.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Heard
Matt Farmer (Windy City Water Polo / Fenwick ’13 / UCLA ’17) has been named to the USA Men’s 2022 FINA World League Super Final Roster. Matt will travel to Strasbourg, France July 22-27 for the FINA World League Super Final.
More information can be found at: https://usawaterpolo.org/
Carol Stream Water Polo Clinic
U14 Link – Thursday, July 28 8:30AM-10:30AM:
http://apm.activecommunities.
High School Link – Friday, July 29 8:30AM-10:30AM:
http://apm.activecommunities.
Illinois water polo player, Maya Mladjan (Lyons Township High School ’25 / East Side Water Polo), is fundraising for the Olympic Development Program and National Team Pipeline Program’s Cadet Team’s trip to Greece from August 1st – August 9th. There are three ways you can help Maya:
1. Donate here to her fundraiser: https://usawaterpoloinc.networkforgood.com/projects/162934-maya-mladjan-s-fundraiser?fbclid=IwAR3xm3RgN4gJATqIWosgNdPaPC_9HF5Shw4lQsxQCjKzn-Mq8BBx4w9pqa8
2. Sign up for a USA Water Polo Golf Tournament. There are a lot of ways to support. When you check out, please mention Maya’s name, and she will get credit for your registration.
3. Share any of the above for her!
An Age Group Clinic is being sponsored by Illinois Water Polo & Stevenson HS prior to the All-Star Games from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Stevenson High School Aquatic Center.
Illinois High School All Star Games
HS Girls All Star Game at 12:15 (warm up at noon)
HS Boys All Star Game at 1:30 (warm up at 1:15)
