Jesse Smith is the only Pepperdine graduate to appear in five Olympic games, doing so in every rendition from 2004 through 2020, according to Pepperdine Athletics. He won silver in the 2008 Beijing games and has served as captain of the U.S.A. water polo team since 2017 before stepping into a high school coaching role in 2021, according to The Coronado Times.
Former coaches and team members said Smith was one of water polo’s most naturally gifted athletes, making waves in the water since he first started competing. He began playing with the Junior National Team in 1997.
Smith graduated from Coronado High School in 2001 as a two-time San Diego Union-Tribune Player of the Year and three-time CIF champion, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
“Pepperdine was a unique place where I could grow into the person I wanted to be,” Smith said.
Smith earned accolades from the start of his Pepperdine career according to Pepperdine Athletics. He earned All-American second team honors as a freshman in 2001.
Head Coach Terry Schroeder said Smith’s matchup with Tony Azevedo and Stanford University was one of the biggest points of his college career. Smith helped the Waves defeat Stanford in 2002, scoring five goals and shutting down the water polo legend in Azevedo, according to Stanford Athletics.
“Jesse was the best player in the pool, and we could see this dominant player both offensively and defensively,” Schroeder said. “It was definitely a moment where he realized he could be the best player in the game.”
Smith’s performance against Stanford during his sophomore year ended up being a sign of things to come throughout his time at Pepperdine, eventually named to the All-American first team in 2002, 2003, and 2005 by coaches nationwide. He was simultaneously named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for all four seasons, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Smith redshirted in 2004 to join Team U.S.A. at the Athens games, notching himself as one of the top American scorers with nine goals that year despite being the youngest player on the roster. The decision to leave Pepperdine to compete in the Olympics was not an easy one, but Smith said he felt the University supported him.
Smith said that Pepperdine’s water polo was very taxing on the body and mind. Smith also credited the intense program with shaping him into the person and player he later became.
“This creates opportunities for exceptional character building, exceptional skill building that you can apply to other aspects of life. I took that to the national team and to the Olympics,” Smith said.
Smith returned to Pepperdine in 2005 to finish out his academic and collegiate athletic career. He graduated with a degree in Economics and finished his Wave career with 213 goals, which was ninth best in program history, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
“Jesse was one of the most talented players to come out of here,” Schroeder said. “He played as good as anybody in the United States.”
While reflecting on his career as a Wave, Smith said the people he met at Pepperdine were the most vital part of his success.
“One thing I learned at Pepperdine is that having successful relationships with family and friends is probably the most important thing in life,” Smith said.
He added the connections he formed at Pepperdine were what drove him to compete in five consecutive Olympic games.
2008 was a crucial year for the United States men’s water polo team, winning their first medal since 1988, according to U.S.A. Water Polo.
“Jesse was a big part of that Olympic year,” Pepperdine and Olympic teammate Merrill Moses said. “One of my favorite moments with him was standing up on that podium receiving our silver medal.”
Unity was key when talking about the 2008 team, Smith said. No matter the outcome, being together as a team was the most important detail.
“The best aspect of winning an Olympic medal is we are connected together because we accomplished something together,” Smith said. “It’s not always a victory, but we’re united in our efforts and common aspirations.”
The Wave trio in Schroeder, Moses and Smith returned to the Olympic games in 2012. Smith and Moses had both graduated from Pepperdine at that point, and Schroeder said how unique it was to come back together on the international stage.
“It was very special to coach them at the Olympic games,” Schroeder said. “It was full circle to have them at college and on the biggest stage.”
Moses and Smith played again in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games for their third Olympic performance together. This was Smith’s fourth Olympic appearance, making him the only Pepperdine alumnus to do so, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Some important personal traits made Smith the strong player he was with the ability to compete at the highest level for so many years, Moses said.
“Just hard work and determination,” Moses said.
These qualities helped Smith etch his name into the Pepperdine Hall of Fame in 2017.
“He was a great athlete and definitely one of the best to play here,” Schroeder said.
Even after refining his legacy in the Pepperdine community, Smith continued to work hard in the professional world. He made his fifth Olympic appearance in 2020, becoming the only Pepperdine athlete and one of two U.S.A. water polo players to do so, alongside Azevedo, according to Pepperdine Athletics and U.S.A. Water Polo.
“It’s tremendous to have any Pepperdine athlete and alumni represent Team U.S.A.,” Moses said. “To have someone represent Pepperdine five times, be a team captain, has a huge impact not only on the community but on water polo and our alumni base as well.”
Smith has now taken on a new role in the water polo world. He has gone back to his alma mater and become the head coach at Coronado High School. Smith brings his champion mindset and professional experience back home to San Diego, according to Coronado News.
“He’s definitely matured through his experiences,” Moses said. “He is going to be a great leader for the high school team and was a great leader for the Olympic team.”
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Email Nina Fife: nina.fife@pepperdine.edu
