Long Beach State University Athletics
Von Schwarz Steps Down As Women's Water Polo Coach
6/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
June 3, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State water polo announced today that women's coach Catharine von Schwarz has resigned to join her husband Robbie in Seattle, and named men's coach Gavin Arroyo to lead both programs starting in 2008-09.
The 49er women's program doubled its win total this past season, featuring five freshmen starters, going 24-36 in two seasons under von Schwarz.
"Cat has established a solid foundation for winning championships and Gavin has done a terrific job in turning around the men's program", said Athletics Director Vic Cegles,. "I believe our men's and women's teams are on their way up. I want to thank Coach von Schwarz for the dedication and hard work she gave to our student-athletes. To be sure, she can take pride in all of our future successes. We wish Coach and her husband Robbie all the best in their move to Seattle. Consolidating our teams will enable us to be more efficient in recruiting, budgeting and continuity and is not unprecedented in major water polo programs."
The women's program has featured nine members of various senior national teams throughout its history and were ranked in the top-five nationally for four seasons from 2002 to 2005. With the addition of Arroyo, the program will also gain a full-time women's assistant to run practices in the fall.
Arroyo, a former member of the U.S. National Team and two Olympics (1996, 2000), has spent the previous two seasons at the helm of the men's program. This past season, the 49ers went 17-15, a six-game improvement from his first season (11-17), earning Arroyo co-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year honors.
Arroyo previously was a two-year assistant at his alma mater, Cal from 2004 to 2005 and was an assistant with the U.S. National Team in 2005. The 1993 All-American won three NCAA Championships at Cal in the early 1990s (1990, 1991, 1992) and graduated from Cal with a degree in political science in 1994. He also played seven years overseas.
A native of Orange County, he graduated from Villa Park High in 1990.
