Men’s Water Polo

History

The Men’s Water Polo team has been a varsity sport since 1995, the first year the sport became an official North Coast Section (NCS) sponsored sport. The team has won 5 League Championships, twice appeared in the NCS Championships, won 3 NCS Scholastic Championship Team Awards and has produced 4 League MVPs. The team is part of the Western Alameda County Conference which includes Alameda, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Encinal, Lick Wilmerding, Piedmont and San Leandro.

Program Information

Bishop O’Dowd fields two teams, Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV). Players can join the JV team without previous water polo experience. However, swimming skills are highly recommended. The varsity team is selected within the first two weeks of practice.

Water polo is a Fall sport. The season begins mid-August and runs until the beginning of November. Practices are held at Trefethen Aquatic Center at Mills College after school Monday thru Friday. Practice times vary by team. The varsity team usually participates in three Friday-Saturday tournaments.  The JV team usually participates in two-three Saturday tournaments. Players are expected to be at all practices and games throughout the season. Participation on the Bishop O’Dowd swim team in the Spring is also encouraged.

Each player must purchase a team water polo suit and team swim caps. A mouth guard is recommended but not required.