Photo by: John Fajardo
Men’s Water Polo To Join The Big West Starting In 2023
6/3/2022 9:15:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Long Beach State will play one more season in the Golden Coast Conference as the Big West prepares to add its 19th sponsored sport.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Big West Board of Directors announced their intention to sponsor Men's Water Polo as the conference's 19th sport beginning in the 2023 season. Long Beach State will be one of the initial members of the conference for that first season.
"This is a major milestone that will continue to help legitimize our sport nationally," said Long Beach State head coach Gavin Arroyo. "I've been lucky enough to first-hand what Big West sponsorship of men's volleyball has done to help the sport and our program at the Beach, and truly believe the same growth potential is there for men's water polo. The professional approach of the Big West Conference as an organization will truly enrich the student-athlete experience."
Five core members of the conference already play Men's Water Polo, as Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara have been competing in the Golden Coast Conference, while UC Davis and UC San Diego have been participating in the Western Water Polo Association.
Those five schools are expected to make the move, while Cal State Fullerton recently made the announcement that the Titans would be adding both Men's and Women's Water Polo. Cal State Fullerton's addition of the sport gives the Big West the minimum six schools required to create a conference that can qualify for an automatic berth into the NCAA Championship.
"The growth and success of men's water polo aligns perfectly with the Big West's values and goals, so establishing the first traditional men's water polo conference in Division I is an important step in solidifying their commitment to the sport and the student-athletes that participate," added Executive Director of Athletics Andy Fee. "Our team will be in position to continue to achieve at the highest level and become a force on the national scene for years to come."
Men's Water Polo moving to the Big West means that 17 of Long Beach State's 19 Division I athletic programs are now housed within the Big West. Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field will continue to participate as part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
"This is a major milestone that will continue to help legitimize our sport nationally," said Long Beach State head coach Gavin Arroyo. "I've been lucky enough to first-hand what Big West sponsorship of men's volleyball has done to help the sport and our program at the Beach, and truly believe the same growth potential is there for men's water polo. The professional approach of the Big West Conference as an organization will truly enrich the student-athlete experience."
Five core members of the conference already play Men's Water Polo, as Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara have been competing in the Golden Coast Conference, while UC Davis and UC San Diego have been participating in the Western Water Polo Association.
Those five schools are expected to make the move, while Cal State Fullerton recently made the announcement that the Titans would be adding both Men's and Women's Water Polo. Cal State Fullerton's addition of the sport gives the Big West the minimum six schools required to create a conference that can qualify for an automatic berth into the NCAA Championship.
"The growth and success of men's water polo aligns perfectly with the Big West's values and goals, so establishing the first traditional men's water polo conference in Division I is an important step in solidifying their commitment to the sport and the student-athletes that participate," added Executive Director of Athletics Andy Fee. "Our team will be in position to continue to achieve at the highest level and become a force on the national scene for years to come."
Men's Water Polo moving to the Big West means that 17 of Long Beach State's 19 Division I athletic programs are now housed within the Big West. Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field will continue to participate as part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).
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