The NCAA News - News & Features

GROWING GAINS

Once threatened by declining numbers, water polo now experiencing turnaround

By STEPHEN R. HAGWELL
Staff Writer

"Growth" and "stability" are not terms that typically have been used to describe collegiate water polo.

After all, from 1990 to 1994, men's collegiate water polo experienced a 27 percent decline in NCAA sponsorship, dropping from 55 institutions to a mere 40.

But recent growth in sponsorship has many within collegiate circles using positive terms -- in moderation -- when describing the sport.

"We're encouraged about the future," said Dan Sharadin, director of senior and collegiate programs at U.S. Water Polo, the sport's national governing body. "We were heading in one direction, a direction that certainly didn't provide a bright future, and we've been able to stop the momentum from going that way and turn it around and head the other way."

The numbers bear that out.

Since 1994, men's collegiate water polo has not lost a program. In fact, the sport has increased its NCAA sponsorship from 40 to 42, and the numbers soon may increase again.

How has collegiate men's water polo -- which came perilously close to having its NCAA men's championship discontinued -- suddenly attained a modicum of growth and stability?

Those associated with the sport credit an aggressive marketing and promotional approach adopted by U.S. Water Polo.

The organization was convinced that the sport could not withstand a continual loss of collegiate programs and survive. So, in 1994, U.S. Water Polo began to aggressively publicize and market its grant program, which had become stagnant, and to provide support to grant recipients through a newly created collegiate office.

"For a number of years, we were on a curve that was going down," said Bruce Wigo, executive director of U.S. Water Polo. "We had a grant program, but we didn't provide support when a school experienced problems. Now, with Dan promoting the grant program and working with the schools to provide support, we've stabilized our numbers and are on the up curve."

Since the program's inception, water polo not only has experienced modest growth and stability on the men's collegiate level, but an exponential growth in women's collegiate and men's and women's club programs.

Once a sport comprising only a handful of varsity programs, women's water polo now boasts 25 varsity programs and counting. Last year, eight NCAA institutions added women's water polo as a varsity sport. In addition, collegiate club programs have increased approximately 60 percent for women and nearly 300 percent for men.

"The program has fulfilled its purpose," Sharadin said. "Not only have we increased our varsity numbers, we've also experienced an explosion on the club level. We're excited about that because we feel that's a precursor to teams being added on the varsity level."

Up to $15,000 available

Funded by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the grant program provides selected institutions with $10,000 to start a men's varsity program and $1,000 plus equipment to start a women's program. The grant can be increased to $15,000 if an institution adds both a men's and women's program. Grants before 1994 were for $6,000.

Available only to selected NCAA member institutions that do not currently sponsor varsity water polo, a grant requires the recipient to maintain a varsity water polo program for three years. The institution also must perform a self-audit and provide a copy of the results to U.S. Water Polo to verify that the grant money was used for the enhancement of water polo.

In addition to individual grants, U.S. Water Polo also has implemented a conference grant program that provides $125,000 to a conference that sponsors at least five varsity programs. The conference grant provides individual grants to each institution within the conference and also provides funds to the conference office for the production of media guides and awards and for the training of coaches and officials.

"For a lot of schools, the grant money is not significant, especially for Division I schools," Wigo said. "However, for a school that has an interest in adding a sport and wants to increase usage of its facility without significant cost, the grant program is an attractive option."

While the increase in funds certainly has enhanced sponsorship opportunities, it hasn't diminished the sport's biggest obstacle: misconception. Considering the sport's recent decline in sponsorship numbers and its heavily regional sponsorship, Sharadin says his biggest challenge is overcoming the attitude that the sport's future and appeal are limited.

Of the 42 institutions currently sponsoring NCAA men's water polo, 20 are in California and 13 are in three Northeastern states.

"Changing perception is a very difficult process. It is difficult to stem the tide of an AD asking, 'Why would I add a sport that's headed down the tubes?' " said Sharadin. "It hasn't been easy, but we are starting to change perceptions.

"A couple of years ago, ADs were reluctant to talk about the sport. Now, they're considering adding men's and women's programs. That's encouraging."

Grant, donors give boost

Sharadin cites the recent decision by the University of California, Santa Cruz, to add men's and women's varsity programs. UC Santa Cruz, which dropped men's water polo as a varsity sport in 1991, recently was awarded a joint grant.

According to athletics director Mark Majeski, UC Santa Cruz has been interested in reviving its men's program and adding a women's program for some time, but was unable to do so due to limited finances. The grant from U.S. Water Polo, combined with some donor support, made the additions possible.

"We're like most of the universities across the country," Majeski said. "Our budget is very, very limited. We are at 10 sports, and we barely have enough money to fund those adequately.

"Initially, the consideration was that we'd make a go of the women's program. However, we received some donor support that made it possible to go ahead with both programs. We felt it was right for us to add both because we have very strong interest in both programs."

Sharadin believes a number of institutions will soon take the same route as UC Santa Cruz. He contends that water polo has weathered the storm and is heading in the right direction.

As for the future, Sharadin will continue to aggressively market and promote the sport and its grant program. He states that the goal is to add at least one NCAA men's and five NCAA women's programs per year.

If that happens, "growth" and "stability" may become common terms to describe collegiate water polo.