Mercyhurst University Athletics

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Men's Water Polo 2/14/2023 11:00:00 AM Assistant Athletic Director for Communications - Megan Milliron

WWPA Adds Four Familiar Schools to Membership

VISTA, Calif. - The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) announced the addition of four familiar institutions to the men's membership starting with the 2023 season, WWPA Commissioner Mitch Carty announced Tuesday.
Gannon University, McKendree University, Mercyhurst University and Salem University - all which compete in the WWPA women's conference - will join the WWPA on the men's side. They come on board with current WWPA members Concordia, Biola and Fresno Pacific to provide the conference with a seven-team field starting in Fall 2023.
"The WWPA is thrilled for the addition of these four institutions into the men's conference. This realignment expands our footprint and adjusts to the quickly-changing national landscape for men's water polo," said Carty. "It also offers an increased number of student-athletes the opportunity to compete for a conference championship and contend for a national championship. We're looking forward to the fall of 2023 and the future of the conference."
The Mercyhurst Men's Water Polo program has a history of success, including setting a single season wins record in 2006 with a 15-8-1 mark and coming one win shy of tying that record in 2008 with a 14-9 season. The student-athletes of the program also excel in the classroom, demonstrating a commitment to both athletic and academic excellence, as they boast an impressive 3.4 cumulative GPA. These achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of the players and coaching staff and highlight the strong tradition of the program.
"The Executive Committee is pleased that by having our [women's] East Region schools joining us on the men's side that the WWPA will continue to offer a competitive, equitable playing field that will offer student-athletes avenues to success," said WWPA Men's Executive Council President Bryan Huettmann. "It will be a bonus for collegiate men's water polo and the student-athlete experience that a NCAA Division II institution will be an automatic qualifier and have representation at the national championship."
Starting with the 2023-24 season, six institutions will have both their men's and women's programs competing in the WWPA - Biola, Fresno Pacific, Gannon, McKendree, Mercyhurst and Salem. Concordia (men), Cal State East Bay (women) and Cal State Monterey Bay (women) round out the membership. Founded in 1981, the WWPA competes within the NCAA and qualifies for the NCAA's automatic bid to the National Collegiate Water Polo Championships for both men and women. 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's. The men's championship normally runs the third weekend of November while the women's championship takes place the final weekend of April.

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