- http://CollegiateWaterPolo.org
- Also operates the American Water Polo, http://www.AmericanWaterPolo.org
Insights[]
2019[]
DIVISION III COLLEGIATE WATER POLO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSORED BY USA WATER POLO SET TO BEGIN IN 2019-2020
In the fall of 2019, USA Water Polo was the sponsor the Division ill Collegiate Championship for the sport of water polo at Chartiers Valley High School in Pittsburgh, hosted by Washington & Jefferson College.
The Division III water polo championships are a joint effort by the Division Ill water polo institutions and USA Water Polo to provide Division Ill student-athletes the opportunity for a meaningful postseason competition in addition to offering an incentive for other Division III institutions to add the sport on a varsity level.
Beginning with men's water polo in December 2019, and followed by women's water polo in May 2020, two teams from both the SCIAC and the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), will square off in a four-team Division Ill national championship tournament.
The SCIAC will assume hosting responsibilities for both genders in the first year of the championship (2019-20). Hosting responsibilities will then rotate every other year.
Previously, teams competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Tournament which includes Division I programs. This new championship for DIII teams provides all Division III programs a competitive experience and the chance to vie for a national championship. In recognition that more Division III programs are beginning to take shape across the nation, the two goals of the Division Ill championship are to provide exposure for the sport so more institutions continue to add water polo and increase membership allowing water polo to be sponsored at the NCAA Division Ill level.
"In my discussions with athletic directors considering the addition of water polo as a varsity sport, the opportunity for a meaningful postseason championship is a major part of their decision," explained Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Commissioner Daniel Sharadin. "The establishment of this championship removes a key stumbling block for these schools. In addition, our Division III members are excited about the chance to compete against "like" institutions for a national championship."