Water polo breaks club stereotypes

Ask people to name the most physical and grueling sport and some will respond football, rugby, wrestling or hockey.

But three key aspects make water polo physically demanding: The sport requires players to spend the entire game in the pool, they are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool and by the time the game is over, they have swum almost two miles.

The men’s water polo club, open to any male student, is one of more than 45 club sports offered at IU.

“We are always looking for more people, and even though we would like to have players who have played before, past experience is not needed,” senior Ed Bachler said.

The team finished its season over the Halloween weekend, placing third in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers lost to Michigan 4-3 in the semifinals before beating rival Purdue in the consolation game.

Michigan State won the Big Ten Tournament and clinched the conference’s bid into the National Tournament.

“Unfortunately, our conference is so tough, and we only get one bid to Nationals,” said junior Conner Keefe, “so unless you win the conference tournament your season is over.”

The Hoosiers were nationally ranked in the top-20 throughout the year and finished the season with a 12-5 record. In 2007, IU attained a No. 4 ranking at one point during the season.

Some highlights of the 2008 season for the Hoosiers included beating No. 4 Grand Valley State and defeating Michigan during the regular season.

The game consists of four seven-minute quarters with clock stoppage for penalties and goals. Six field players and one goalie are in the pool at all times.

The average size of a college pool is 30 meters long and eight to 12 meters deep.

Scoring consists of one team throwing the ball into the goal of the other team, which is worth one point. After each goal, the ball is given to the opposing team, which begins with the ball at the mid-point of the pool. The goalie is the only player who is allowed to touch the ball with both hands as field players are only allowed to catch and throw the ball with one hand.

One unusual aspect of the team is that its coach Elliot Hullverson, senior, also doubles as a player.

“Michigan and Michigan State have a coach,” Hullverson said, “but because we are a club sport, money is an issue, so I have to coach as well as play.”

Hullverson said at times it is difficult managing the team, while watching the refs and worrying about substitutions. Bachler said having a player-coach is just another unusual aspect of the team.

“I would prefer a full-time coach, but I realize we can’t have that,” Bachler said. “Sometimes it’s just difficult to listen to someone your own age who is also playing in the game with you.”

Hullverson began his college career playing Division I Water Polo for Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. In his first year as head coach, he took over for previous player/coach Paul Klotz, who led the Hoosiers from 2006-07.

The Hoosiers will lose three seniors from this year’s squad, including their coach.
 
“We had a very successful season this year,” Keefe said. “We lose some great seniors, but we are looking forward (to) next year and improving in the Big Ten Tournament.”