Saint Mary’s College Launches Division I Aquatics Program That includes Swimming and Water Polo

Moraga, Calif. – Saint Mary’s College right this moment introduced the launch of a brand new Division I Aquatics program, including Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Men’s and Women’s Water Polo to its roster of NCAA sports activities.
Program growth is already underway this fall, together with the hiring of coaches, figuring out coaching amenities, and recruiting student-athletes—with intercollegiate competitors set to start within the 2026–27 tutorial yr.


“While many NCAA institutions across the country are scaling back athletics, Saint Mary’s is making a bold commitment to expand opportunities for students,” stated Saint Mary’s President Roger Thompson. “Our new Aquatics program builds on the Bay Area’s rich tradition in swimming and water polo, and affirms our belief that athletics are a vital part of the student experience.”

Saint Mary’s Aquatics groups will compete on the highest ranges of collegiate athletics via established nationwide conferences.



In Men’s and Women’s Swimming, the Gaels will be a part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), a convention that features a number of sturdy Division I packages throughout the West. Women’s Water Polo will compete within the Golden Coast Conference, dealing with packages corresponding to these at Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Santa Clara, Fresno State, and others. Men’s Water Polo will compete within the West Coast Conference (WCC), aligning with Saint Mary’s longstanding convention dwelling.



“We are very excited about the addition of Saint Mary’s College to the Golden Coast Conference in 2026-27,” stated GCC Commissioner Dan Smith. “Anytime an institution decides to sponsor the sport for the first time, it’s great for water polo. This will be great for Saint Mary’s, and it’s great for our conference.” 



Investing in a New Era

To launch this system, Saint Mary’s has established a partnership with close by Campolindo High School, which can present use of its Olympic-size swimming pool and Soda Aquatics Center. Looking forward, the College can be creating a state-of-the-art aquatics facility of its personal within the coming years, with very important help anticipated from donors, alumni, aquatics fans, and buddies of Saint Mary’s. 



To start shaping this imaginative and prescient, President Thompson is forming the Saint Mary’s Aquatics Leadership Council, which can convey collectively exterior supporters, aquatics leaders, and Olympic athletes to assist information the planning course of.

“Our vision for aquatics at Saint Mary’s will only be realized through the passion and generosity of those who care deeply about this sport,” says President Thompson. “This is a unique moment to make a meaningful impact—not just for today’s student-athletes, but for the countless Gaels and community members who will benefit from a dedicated aquatics home for decades to come. Together, we can build something enduring, something that reflects the values of our College and the deep tradition of excellence in aquatics across California.”



A Regional Hub, with National Support

California has lengthy been a middle of excellence in aquatics, with world-class highschool packages and a deep tradition of swimming and water polo. By launching Aquatics in Moraga—within the coronary heart of the Bay Area’s swimming tradition—Saint Mary’s is tapping into one of many nation’s strongest expertise pipelines whereas additionally aligning with a neighborhood that lives and breathes the game. The College has already secured a partnership with close by Campolindo High School, whose Olympic-size pool and Soda Aquatics Center will present coaching and competitors area, complemented by the College’s personal Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center, a each day dwelling base for student-athletes and coaches.

The nationwide aquatics neighborhood has taken discover. Both USA Swimming and USA Water Polo have expressed sturdy help for this system’s launch, underscoring the regional and nationwide significance of Saint Mary’s funding.

“We are thrilled to see Saint Mary’s College take this step,” stated Bob Vincent, Interim CEO of USA Swimming. “California is one of the country’s strongest aquatics states, and by adding these new opportunities, Saint Mary’s is not only strengthening the pipeline of student-athletes but also sending a powerful message about the value of collegiate aquatics.”

“Saint Mary’s decision to add men’s and women’s water polo is a tremendous win for our sport,” stated Jamie Davis, CEO of USA Water Polo. “The Bay Area is one of the great centers of water polo in the United States, and by investing in these programs, Saint Mary’s is helping to grow opportunities for student-athletes while deepening the sport’s roots in a region that already lives and breathes aquatics.”

The College’s first precedence can be to rent head coaches for Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Men’s and Women’s Water Polo, with place postings going stay September 15 and appointments anticipated by mid-October. 

“We are committed to hiring coaches who not only bring a track record of competitive success, but who also embody the values that make Saint Mary’s unique,” stated Mike Matoso, SMC’s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “Their leadership will be critical as we build programs that reflect excellence in the pool and the classroom, and that provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes.”

With this basis of regional energy and nationwide endorsement, Aquatics will be a part of perennial nationwide contenders like Gaels Basketball in elevating Saint Mary’s profile on the Division I stage.



For extra details about the launch of the Aquatics program at Saint Mary’s, CLICK HERE for an enhanced look.

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