{"id":615684,"date":"2025-06-23T06:34:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T13:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=615684"},"modified":"2025-06-27T07:54:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T14:54:39","slug":"the-top-25-american-mens-water-polo-players-of-the-ncaa-era-no-21-no-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/the-top-25-american-mens-water-polo-players-of-the-ncaa-era-no-21-no-25\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top-25 American Men’s Water Polo Players of the NCAA Era (No. 21-No. 25)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Top-25 American Men’s Water Polo Players of the NCAA Era (No. 21-No. 25)<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Jeff Moulton<\/p>\n

Before his untimely death in a bicycle accident<\/a> in October 2022, Hall of Fame coach Dante Dettamanti and I often discussed American water polo players, coaches, and teams of the past and present. These discussions helped form my opinions about water polo and led to my unofficial list of the top-25 American men\u2019s water polo players of the NCAA era. To be eligible for this list, an individual must have played at least one year of college water polo from 1969 to the present. This requirement eliminates many great players from consideration, including my choice as the greatest player of the 1960s (Stanley Cole).<\/p>\n

Stanley Cole<\/strong> \u2013 6\u20191\u201d center, Whittier High School and UCLA (3x All-American, 3x Olympian, 1x bronze medalist, Water Polo Hall of Fame, 3x swimming All-American, 1x Pac-10 champion in the 100-yard butterfly, 1x NCAA champion in the 400-yard medley relay).<\/p>\n

Cole, a top-10 all-time American player, played varsity water polo at UCLA from 1965 through 1967 (in those days, a freshman couldn\u2019t play on the varsity team) and didn\u2019t lose a game.\u00a0 Former UCLA coach Bob Horn, speaking about Cole during his junior season in 1966:\u00a0 “Cole is the best shooter I’ve ever had. He is extremely difficult to guard due to his strength and amazing speed.” One of Cole\u2019s UCLA teammates told me: \u201cStan Cole was the consummate competitor! No one was as intense AND talented as he was. He was gifted in every area and had that rare ability to combine great strength with great quickness, which made him almost unstoppable as a 2M player. The one game I remember quite well was our senior year, playing a very good Stanford team at Stanford. By that time, everyone was aware of our long winning streak and desperately wanted to beat us. We fell behind by a score of 4-0 but ended up winning, 8-7, mostly because of Cole\u2019s indomitable will. I know he scored the majority of our goals that game, including the winning one. No one compares with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

My list of the top-25 American men\u2019s water polo players of the NCAA era is subjective. As one member of the Hall of Fame told me: \u201cRanking players 1 through 25 is no easy task, especially when accounting for different eras and positions. The evolution of the game and generational bias can make direct comparisons challenging.\u201d I hope readers take my list in the spirit in which it is intended, namely to recognize some of America\u2019s greatest water polo players.<\/p>\n

How the Selections Were Made<\/h3>\n
\"water

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick<\/p><\/div>\n

First, I considered how an individual\u2019s teams performed. Water polo is a team sport and winning championships should be the ultimate goal. Nineteen of the individuals on my list won at least one NCAA championship; 11 won two or more NCAA championships. Twenty-one won at least one Olympic medal. Six won at least one FINA World Cup championship.<\/p>\n

Second, I considered whether (and at what level) an individual received All-American honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) and whether an individual won the ACWPC\u2019s Player-of-the-Year Award or the Cutino Award. The ACWPC\u2019s website does not list an All-American team before 1975 and does not list an All-American team for 1976 or 1977, but lists an All-American team for every year since 1978 (except 1980). In addition to the information I found on the ACWPC and NCAA websites, I have cited information I found on the websites from various colleges. Every individual on my list, except one, was a first team All-American at least once. The ACWPC website does not list a Player of the Year until 1982.\u00a0 The Olympic Club established the Cutino Award in 1999. In most years, the same individual won the ACWPC Player of the Year Award and the Cutino Award. The exceptions are 2004, 2006, and 2012. Nine individuals on my list won the Player of the Year Award or the Cutino Award at least once.<\/p>\n

Third, I considered whether (and how often) an individual was the best player or second-best player on his own team. With one possible exception, every individual on my list was the best player on at least one of his college teams.<\/p>\n

Fourth, I considered how an individual performed for the United States in international competition, including the Olympics.\u00a0 Every individual on my list played on the United States senior national team. Every individual, except one, was a member of at least one Olympic team. Nineteen were members of at least two Olympic teams.<\/p>\n

Fifth, where applicable, I considered how an individual performed in his international professional career. When comparing players from different eras, it is important to note that the great players from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s generally didn\u2019t have an opportunity to play professional water polo. The number of Americans playing professional water polo in Europe and elsewhere increased significantly during the COVID-19 years.<\/p>\n

Sixth, I considered whether and, if so, the extent to which opposing coaches and teams had to account for an individual in their game plans.<\/p>\n

Seventh, I spoke with and considered the opinions of many players, coaches, and other knowledgeable observers, including more than a dozen members of the Water Polo Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Here are some observations about the 25 individuals on my list:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Every individual, except one, played high school water polo in California.<\/li>\n
  • Four individuals graduated from Newport Harbor High School and three graduated from Long Beach Wilson High School. No other high school has more than one individual on the list.<\/li>\n
  • Stanford has the most individuals on the list with nine. Cal has four. U.C Irvine has four. UCLA has three. Pepperdine has three. U.C. Santa Barbara has two.<\/li>\n
  • Dante Dettamanti coached seven individuals on the list while Ted Newland coached four. Pete Cutino coached three and John Vargas coached three (Vargas and Dettamanti both coached Tony Azevedo at Stanford). Bob Horn coached two and Pete Snyder coached two.<\/li>\n
  • My top 25 list is comprised of three goalies, seven centers (three are left-handed), three center defenders, three utility players (individuals who received significant playing time at more than one field position), one left-handed attacker, and eight right-handed attackers.<\/li>\n
  • Four of the individuals on my list were known mostly for their play in the 1970s, 10 for their play in the 1980s, two for their play in the 1990s, five for their play in the 2000s, and four for their play from 2010 to the present.<\/li>\n
  • Two of the individuals on my list played on UCLA\u2019s undefeated 1969 national championship team, two played on UCSB\u2019s 1979 national championship team, three played on Stanford\u2019s 1980 national championship team, two played on Stanford\u2019s undefeated 1981 national championship team, two played on Stanford\u2019s 1985 national championship team, and two played on Stanford\u2019s undefeated 1986 national championship team.<\/li>\n
  • Nineteen of the individuals on my list have been inducted into the Water Polo Hall of Fame. Four of the other six individuals are likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame when their playing careers are over.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    With that background information, and with all due respect to the other individuals who deserve to be considered, my unofficial list of the top 25 American men\u2019s water polo players of the NCAA era follows below. In Part I of this Article, I will discuss the individuals I have ranked No. 21 to 25. In Part II, I will discuss the individuals I have ranked No. 11 to 20, and in Part III, I will discuss the individuals I have ranked No. 1 to 10.<\/p>\n

    25. Erich Fischer<\/strong> \u2013 attacker\/center defender, Reedley High School and Stanford (2x NCAA champion, 2x All-American, 1x 1st team All-American, 1x Olympian, 1x FINA World Cup champion).<\/p>\n

    Fischer, the father of Olympians Mackenzie and Aria Fischer, is considered by some to be America\u2019s greatest perimeter defender. Fischer scored the game-winning goal in the 1991 FINA World Cup championship game between the United States and Yugoslavia. He should be in the Hall of Fame. Colin Keely, Fischer\u2019s teammate at Stanford and on the senior national team, discussing what he remembered about Fischer:\u00a0 \u201cFish and I overlapped a year at Stanford and a couple of years on the National Team.\u00a0 First thing I remember about Fish was his big smile but don\u2019t let that fool you, he was an intense competitor and a great leader.\u00a0 You couldn\u2019t throw a ball up too high to Fish.\u00a0 He could get a full speedo out of the water!\u00a0 Ultimately, as a younger teammate it was his willingness to make us all better that I appreciated most about Fish.\u00a0 A great player and an even better teammate.\u201d\u00a0 I asked Craig Klass, Fischer\u2019s teammate at Stanford and on the senior national team, about Fischer.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what he said:\u00a0 \u201cI had the good fortune to play with Erich Fischer for 3 years at Stanford and for 6 years with team USA.\u00a0 Erich was a great teammate and an incredible player.\u00a0 The term \u2018utility\u2019 does not do him justice.\u00a0 Erich excelled in all areas, counter attack, outside shooting, and posting up.\u00a0 He could do it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

    24. Max Irving<\/strong> \u2013 attacker, Long Beach Wilson High School and UCLA (3x NCAA champion, 3x All-American, 1x 1st<\/sup> team All-American, 2x Olympian, 1x bronze medalist).<\/p>\n

    When evaluating individuals who are still playing water polo on the United States senior national team, I considered whether I would select the individual if he didn\u2019t play another game.\u00a0 In Irving\u2019s \u00a0case, the answer is yes.\u00a0 Irving has come a long way since he redshirted at UCLA in 2013 and didn\u2019t play in the 2014 NCAA championship game.\u00a0 He scored 8 goals in the 2021 Olympics and 12 goals in the 2024 Olympics.\u00a0 He has played professionally for Olympiacos and Hydraikos in Greece and Telimar and Brescia in Italy, and will play for Pro Recco in Italy this year.\u00a0 Adam Wright, Irving\u2019s coach at UCLA, speaking in June 2024 after Irving had been named to the 2024 Olympic team:\u00a0 “Max has become one of the most fundamentally sound players in the world.\u00a0 We knew when he was here at UCLA that he had the abilities to become an absolutely special player and that he would have a career where he could play both sides of the pool. \u00a0He is a real student of the game and is one of the smartest players and perimeter defenders playing the right side of the pool. \u00a0There’s no doubt his efforts have put him in a position to make a second Olympic team, but more importantly, his commitment to having great fundamentals and becoming a student of the game has made him one of the best in our sport.”\u00a0 Dejan Udovicic, U.S. Olympic team coach:\u00a0 \u201cMax is not just bringing something for this team, he\u2019s bringing something for every kid who wants to play water polo.\u00a0 I remember very well when we called Max to join the national team when no one believed in Max.\u00a0 He is now one of the most respected players in Europe.\u201d\u00a0 If Irving keeps playing, he is expected to play for the United States in the 2028 Olympics.\u00a0 However, he deserves a spot on my list even if he doesn\u2019t play another game.\u00a0 Once Irving\u2019s playing career is over, he is likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

    23. Jeff Powers<\/strong> \u2013 6\u20197\u201d center defender\/center\/attacker, San Luis Obispo High School and U.C. Irvine (2x All-American, 2x 1st team All-American, 3x Olympian, 1x silver medalist, Hall of Fame).<\/p>\n

    Powers played professionally for seven years in Greece, Italy, and Hungary.\u00a0 He is one of many players \u201cdiscovered\u201d by U.C. Irvine coach Ted Newland after being overlooked by other major college programs.\u00a0 Former U.C. Irvine player and coach Marc Hunt speaking about Powers\u2019 versatility:\u00a0 \u201cJeff is the ultimate utility player.\u00a0 He could play every position.\u00a0 He could be the best center, center defender, outside shooter, and perimeter defender in the pool.\u201d<\/p>\n

    22. Greg Boyer<\/strong> \u2013 center, Aviation High School and UCSB (1x NCAA champion, 3x All-American, 1x 1st team All-American, 1x Olympian, 1x silver medalist, Hall of Fame).<\/p>\n

    Hall of Fame coach Bill Barnett, who coached Boyer on the 1988 Olympic Team, speaking about Boyer:\u00a0 \u201cHe had the greatest legs of any player I\u2019ve ever seen. \u00a0He had fantastic balance in the water.\u201d\u00a0 One of Boyer\u2019s UCSB teammates told me:\u00a0 \u201cGreg and I were teammates on UCSB\u2019s 1979 championship team.\u00a0 Greg was named the most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament in large part due to his offensive dominance, scoring 5 of our 11 goals in the championship game against UCLA.\u00a0 He was a tremendous talent and competitor.\u00a0 There was no one better to go to with the game on the line for a stop or a goal.\u201d\u00a0 I asked Jody Campbell, Boyer\u2019s teammate on the 1988 Olympic team, about Boyer.\u00a0 His response:\u00a0 \u201cGreg\u2019s playing style was not flashy or showboaty.\u00a0 His style was akin to a \u2018grinder\u2019 in ice hockey.\u00a0 He worked in the trenches to create opportunities for his teammates.\u00a0 Greg was a player you hated playing against but loved playing with.\u201d<\/p>\n

    21. Merrill Moses<\/strong> \u2013 goalie, Peninsula High School and Pepperdine (1x NCAA champion, 3x All-American, 1x 1st team All-American, 3x Olympian, 1x silver medalist, Hall of Fame).<\/p>\n

    Moses played professionally in Spain, Italy, and Croatia.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t recruited to play college water polo.\u00a0 However, Pepperdine coach Terry Schroeder invited Moses to try out for the team and he started as a freshman.\u00a0 Schroeder, who also coached Moses on the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams, said that Moses \u201cplayed big in big moments.\u201d\u00a0 Moses was a charismatic and demonstrative player.\u00a0 As UCLA coach Adam Wright, Moses\u2019 teammate on the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams, noted, \u201cMoses\u2019 energy was infectious.\u201d<\/p>\n

    In Part II of this Article, I will discuss the individuals I have ranked No. 11 to 20 in my unofficial list of the Top 25 American men\u2019s water polo players of the NCAA era.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Top-25 American Men’s Water Polo Players of the NCAA Era (No. 21-No. 25) By Jeff Moulton Before his untimely death in a bicycle accident in October 2022, Hall of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67367,"featured_media":383570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,122077,6,12],"tags":[136333,20138,4173,62274,372,54416],"class_list":["post-615684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-americas","category-college","category-water-polo","tag-erich-fischer","tag-greg-boyer","tag-jeff-powers","tag-max-irving","tag-merrill-moses","tag-water-polo"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nThe Top-25 American Men's Water Polo Players of the NCAA Era<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Water polo expert Jeff Moulton ranks the top-25 American water polo players of the NCAA era. 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