USA Water Polo Hall of Fame inductee Terry Schroeder returns to the Waves water polo coaching staff this season. Coach Schroeder is serving as a volunteer assistant with the men’s water polo team. He will not begin his full duties with the team until Jan. 1, 2013.
Schroeder coached the Pepperdine men’s water polo team from 1986-2005. During this time with the Waves, he took the team to the NCAA Championship eight times, winning the gold in 1997. His team’s national championship led to Schroeder’s own National Coach of the Year award that same year. Schroeder was also named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year in 1989, 1997 and 1998. He finished his first coaching career at Pepperdine with a 307-195 record.
Schroeder’s interest with water polo began in elementary school. His experience with the sport began with his own career at Pepperdine University as an undergraduate student in 1977. As a player, Schroeder helped the Waves finish 25-3 his freshman year earning recognition in his reception of All-American honors in 1977 and again in 1978. Schroeder finished his senior year receiving his final All-American honors in 1980. After graduating with a degree in sports medicine, Schroeder finished his career with the Waves and went on to play water polo with the U.S. National Team. During his time with the U.S., Schroeder helped the team place fourth in the 1992 Olympics and win silver in both 1984 and 1988. Schroeder was asked to coach the U.S. National Team after he finished his 16-year career as a player. In 2005, Schroeder left the Waves to join the U.S. team as their assistant coach for a year before moving up to head coach. He led the men’s national team to a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Due to his success with the team, Schroeder was asked to continue his role as head coach for the 2012 Olympics in London. The team was defeated in the quarterfinals by the Croatian National Team who later went on to defeat Italy in the finals.
Coach Schroeder has spent most of his time preparing for the 2012 Olympic games. Coach Gary O’Brien will serve as interim head coach until the end of the year. Assistant Coach Will Rodriguez will remain in his position throughout the changes. In a press release, Athletic Director Steve Potts expressed his excitement on welcoming Coach Schroeder back to the Pepperdine athletic community. His return to the athletics program after a seven-year hiatus has received nothing but positive comments. Schroeder also expressed his own enthusiasm saying, “I am very excited to be coming back to Pepperdine….I am looking forward to many more years here. Pepperdine is a very special place to me.”
The Waves water polo team currently holds a winning record after defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13-5 and La Verne 20-7 at the season opener Sept. 1. The Waves will face long-time rival Loyola Marymount in Malibu Saturday, Sept. 8.
