Colleen Lischwe Adds McKendree Men’s Water Polo to Coaching Responsibilities

May 27, 2012; Newport Beach, CA, USA; General view of a FINA water polo Mikasa ball during the exhibition game between the Hungary and the United States at Newport Harbor high school. The United States defeated Hungary 12-9. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

(LEBANON, Ill.)—McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann announced on Wednesday that Colleen Lischwe has been named as the head coach of the men’s water polo program. Lischwe is believed to be the only current female head coach of a men’s water polo program at the NCAA level.

Colleen Lischwe Named Head Coach of McKendree Men’s Water Polo Program #BearcatsUnleashed https://t.co/a9G5hu5ZPX

— McKendree Bearcats (@McKBearcats) June 27, 2018

Lischwe has served as the women’s water polo head coach at McKendree since February 2017. She helped lead the Bearcats into their first season as member of the Western Water Polo Association this past spring, guiding McKendree to a seventh-place finish in the league’s post-season tournament. She has also spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach for the McKendree men’s water polo team.

“Colleen is very familiar with our men’s water polo program, having served as its assistant coach over the past two seasons,” said Brueggemann. “She has done a wonderful job of bringing the women’s program at McKendree into the NCAA ranks and helping the program grow since her arrival. I have no doubt that Colleen’s coaching talent, enthusiasm and passion for the sport will be evident for all who follow the men’s water polo program.”

After taking over in an interim capacity during the 2017 season, Lischwe coached the McKendree women’s water polo team during its first season of NCAA competition in 2018. The Bearcats won nine contests this spring and qualified for the WWPA Championships. McKendree defeated Gannon University 15-12 to bring home seventh place in its inaugural season as league members.

“I am thrilled to be stepping into the position of head men’s water polo coach at McKendree,” said Lischwe. “Having spent the first two years of the program as an assistant to the men, I already feel at home coaching this talented group. Between our returnees and an incredible group of incoming student-athletes, I have high expectations for the upcoming season.”

Under Lischwe’s guidance, McKendree freshman Emily Westlove became the first Bearcat to earn All-America honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC). Westlove netted 62 goals in her rookie season at McKendree, eight of which came in the WWPA Championships.

The McKendree men’s water polo team registered an overall record of 7-17 during the 2017 season, which was the Bearcats’ first as an NCAA varsity sport. McKendree competed as members of the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Association Conference (MAWPC) in the Western Region. The Bearcats placed fifth in the season-ending MAWPC Western Region Championships.

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with McKendree University Athletics. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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