Brooklyn Waterpolo Club

I just posted and interview with Florian Bruzzo, head coach for the French men's water polo team. I did NOT speak with Monsieur Bruzzo; I just translated a video piece sent to me. Why? In 2016, when they were awarded the , Bruzzo and the (French Swimming Federation) hatched a plan to be competitive by 2024.
It worked; the French men are an upset (or two) possibilities for a medal (which is more than I can say for the men; let's hope our women bring home the gold... again!).

Florian Bruzzo France — Man with hat The French men’s water polo team hopes to be the toast of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. But thanks to extensive preparation, Head Coach Florian Bruzzo and his players will not be surprised if they medal for the first time in a century.

I posted an opinion piece (well, aren't they all?) on about a letter to Jamie Davis, new CEO (after the Olympics) for USA Water Polo. I made a few observations—biggest being a concern that water polo at the Olympics will be pushed out of the pool and into a parking lot in Long Beach (which of course is bad BUT not yet determined).
I also question the signing of as national team spokesman for five years (I mean, did Davis agree to this?). Flavor Flav protested (on Twitter - who knew anyone reads ). All in all it's something (you all decide!).
In case anyone missed it, I date myself; the title is a reference to "A message to you, Rudy" by

A Message to You, Jamie — Man with hat I sent a letter to new USAWP CEO Jamie Davis—to say hello and to ask: who IS this guy who will lead the national governing body for water polo in America?

If you think I might be because I'm posting so much on FB after not even responding to messages (sorry!) - you might have the right diagnosis.
OR, it could be that we're in an Olympic tear ( ) and I'm trying to catch up (?).
More likely: I'm hearing things about USA Water Polo and trying to piece it all together - like today's post on the wonders how Adam Krikorian did NOT get the CEO gig at USAWP.

A Controversial Change of Leadership at USA Water Polo — Man with hat USA Water Polo has a new CEO. Jamie Davis, CEO of USA Volleyball, will take over after the Paris Games. In hiring Davis, USAWP passed over Adam Krikorian, one of America’s greatest water polo coaches.

I'm thinking about in ! Last Thursday New York City Department of Parks & Recreation opened 50 pools across the five boroughs—and Mayor Eric Adams reopened the Astoria Pool, largest in the city.
All good BUT the city is still short of lifeguard—so half of the massive Astoria pool basin was closed AND there was no lap swim when I went to the Sunset Park Pool.
Of course I had something to say about this.

Summer in New York City: Public Pools Are Open! — Man with hat NYC’s public pools—50 of them—opened last Thursday on a perfect day for swimming. Alas, all is not well in Gotham; NYC Parks does not have enough lifeguards for its pools and beaches.

So I very occasionally contribute to (which I'm grateful for!) and they just published a piece I wrote on the search for a new USA Water Polo CEO. It was NOT public knowledge who their choice was to lead the org after Chris Ramsey left (18 years at the top!)... but it is now.
Jamie Davis of USA Volleyball is the pick, and well not everyone is happy about his selection.

USA Water Polo Selecting Jamie Davis, of USA Volleyball, as New CEO Jamie Davis, the CEO of USA Volleyball, has been selected to be the new CEO of USA Water Polo, according to sources.

As part of our push to meet with NYC Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Park Commissioner Sue Donoghue to meet / talk about bringing an quality pool to , I got a call from AM NY about out proposal (!).
Here's the resulting interview; great that there's SO MUCH discussion right now about elevating NYC's aquatic culture.

Nonprofit seeks support to build an olympic facility open to New Yorkers | amNewYork In light of this initiative, the Brooklyn nonprofit organization Inclusive Community Wellness Inc. urges New York City officials to review the proposal to

You know, I don't post all that often about what's happening (it's b/c I don't like to spam folks AND b/c so much IS happening).
Last Thursday folks from my NPO met with bigwigs from Pools; they were passing through NYC on their way to the US Olympic Swim Trials in Indianapolis.
It was a SUPER productive meeting; in fact, the key takeaway was: how can we get MANY Olympic-quality Myrtha Pools into ?!

When Myrtha Comes to Town: Meeting Notes — ICW The NY SWIMS initiative represents a tremendous opportunity to bring a high-quality, Olympic-style pool—anchored to an underserved community—and boost NYC's aquatic culture. Meeting with Myrtha Pool representatives is an important step to move this idea forward.

Last Sunday York College in Jamaica hosted a clinic for local swimmers. It was a success; 50+ aquatic athletes between the ages of 5 - 15 got in the water and did all sorts of drills including (of course!) the egbeater.
Question is: what comes next for Queens water polo?
USA Water Polo

St. Francis in the House at York College Water Polo Clinic — Man with hat A group of former St. Francis water polo players trekked out to Jamaica, Queens for a clinic with young swimmers eager to learn the sport.

I recently posted some thoughts about the upcoming women's water polo championship. Nothing earth-shattering (I mean, gotta be upfront here!) but it should be a really good tournament and—if Hawai'i finds a way to win a title—it will be historic.

It’s NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship Time! — Man with hat After a weekend of intense action, participants for the 2024 NCAA women’s tournament have been decided. In two weeks one of the world’s top polo competitions will take place in Berkeley, CA.

There's so much to report on (story of my life, which is wonderful!) but I did want to post a piece I recently had published on the Swimming World website. The Peter J. Cutino award is the most prestigious in collegiate men's / women's and this year will be VERY interesting. There's no favorite for the women - primarily b/c many of the best female players are prepping for
I handicapped the list put out by The Olympic Club in San Francisco; feel free to comment / disagree / whatever (BTW, I think this watchlist concept is great for promoting the sport throughout the USA).

Water Polo: Women's Watch List for 25th Peter J. Cutino Award - Heisman Equivalent Water Polo: Women's Watch List for 25th Peter J. Cutino Award. Check out the top players in the country who are being considered.

So, I'm posting a bit more on Swimming World - including a bit of commentary about the state of men's and women's . Nothing too extreme - but pretty clear who's on the right path for ... and who isn't.

USA Water Polo at World Championships: One Up, One Down in Doha USA Water Polo at World Championships: One Up, One Down in Doha. The women dominated, while the men struggled to ninth place.

This story combined two things I care about: (of course!) and St. Benedict's Prep - one of NJ's great educational institutions. The Grey Bees also happen to be VERY GOOD at producing fantastic athletes - think J.R. Smith, Cullen Jones and Tab Ramos... and St. B's launched the career of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who's in the but played water polo first.

Before Embarking on Successful NFL Career, Ihmir Smith-Marsette Flashed Talent in Water Polo Before embarking on a successful career in the NFL, Ihmir Smith-Marsette was a standout water polo player in New Jersey.