ERIE, Pa. - The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) has added Gannon University to its women's water polo conference, replacing the now-defunct Cal State San Bernardino program as the fifth member, it was announced by WWPA commissioner Christy Medigovich on Thursday. With the addition of the Lady Knights' program, the WWPA women's water polo conference remains eligible to apply for the automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament, which is awarded to the winner of the WWPA Championship Tournament each spring.
"The Western Water Polo Association is excited to welcome Gannon University women's water polo to the WWPA family," said Medigovich. "The addition of Gannon not only increases the opportunity for Division II student-athletes to reach the NCAA Championship Tournament, but also strengthens our conference vision of creating a rich tradition and history based on high academic standards and meaningful competition among Division II institutions."
Gannon, which is located in Erie, Pa., previously competed in the Western Division of the 18-team Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) and went 13-14 overall in 2014, led by
Don Sherman, who will be entering his 14th season as the head coach of the women's program in 2015. The Golden Knights have posted a winning record eight times in 14 years of existence and sport an overall record of 183-176.
"Our President Dr. Keith Taylor and Vice President of Student Development and Engagement Brian Nichols understand and support our efforts as a department to create the best opportunities and experiences for our student-athletes," said Gannon Director of Athletics
Lisa Goddard McGuirk. "This is a fantastic opportunity for both Gannon University and our women's water polo program. It is truly exciting to be able to give our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in a conference that includes only NCAA Division II institutions and a chance to secure an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA National Championship Tournament."
Gannon joins Cal State East Bay, Cal State Monterey Bay, Sonoma State and UC San Diego in the five-team women's conference. Cal State San Bernardino, which had been a WWPA member since 2001, dropped its program at the end of last season.
"This is great time for the Gannon women's water polo program," said Sherman. "The opportunity to join a Division II conference with an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament is very exciting. This gives our team a chance to capture an automatic bid against similar programs."
The WWPA competes within the NCAA and qualifies for the NCAA's automatic bid to the National Collegiate Water Polo Championships for both the men (fall) and women (spring). The WWPA features a championship tournament at the conclusion of both the men's and women's seasons, with the winner earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The men's championships normally run the third weekend of November while the women's take place the final weekend of April.
