HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND PUT ATHLETES FIRST
Every day our Women's and Men's US National Team members train with a singular focus: representing their nation, communities, and families in international competition — leading to the Olympic Games, the pinnacle of our sport.
As many of you know, this pursuit of excellence demands commitment, sacrifice - and teamwork. Teamwork is required both in and out of the pool.
For over 30 years, the US WATER POLO FOUNDATION has faithfully adhered to its mission, put athletes first and has supported every US Olympic Water Polo Team since its inception.
With the Games in Tokyo fast approaching, members of our Senior National Water Polo Teams face financial challenges and need your help.
Your gift to the US WATER POLO FOUNDATION can match our National Team members’ focus and dedication. Your gift will provide direct and sustainable funding to our National Team athletes.
100% of the funds you donate and are received by the US WATER POLO FOUNDATION go directly to support these athletes.
Your participation is essential. Any contribution will help make difference and show our National Team athletes the team behind the team.
If you prefer, you may contribute directly to the US WATER POLO FOUNDATION by sending a check payable to:
US WATER POLO FOUNDATION
4 Orinda Way, Suite 120-D
Orinda, CA 94563
Please join the team, contribute and make a difference. Your gifts and pledges are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
About the US WATER POLO FOUNDATION:
Subsequent to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Peter Ueberroth — the organizer and leader of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) for the 1984 Olympic Games and a member of the United States Water Polo Hall of Fame — informed the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of the participating Olympic sports that the LAOOC would distribute a sum of $1,000,000 to each sport from the surplus generated from the conduct of the 1984 Olympic Games.
After careful consideration, United States Water Polo, Inc. (USWP), the NGB for water polo determined the funds should be preserved to benefit its future Olympic athletes. USWP recognized and decided to avoid the conflicting demands of current operational needs with its long-term responsibilities. After deliberating, USWP determined the best course to achieve its objective was to separate the capital from the USWP corporation and create and endow an independent Foundation, charged with the specific tasks of preserving and enhancing the endowment to benefit future Olympic athletes.
On February 8, 1985, the federation established the United States Water Polo Foundation (USWPF) as an independent nonprofit public benefit corporation qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and Section 214 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code and endowed with $1,000,000 from the LAOOC. Honoring the intent of its founding, the Trustees adopted a mission statement:
The mission of the United States Water Polo Foundation is to act as a fiduciary to preserve and enhance its endowment for the benefit of Olympic athletes, both present and future.
Through responsible oversight and an investment strategy reflecting its long-term mission, the USWPF has supported every U.S. Olympic Water Polo Team since its inception. Over the past thirty-two years, the Foundation has faithfully adhered to its mandate by distributing millions of dollars back to the Olympic Team athletes while increasing the endowment to over $3 million.
A volunteer Board of Trustees governs the Foundation. Over the years, many distinguished individuals have served as Trustees to ensure that the USWPF continued to preserve and grow its endowment, maintain its independence, and fulfill its mission. Monte Nitzkowski, Dr. Barbara Kalbus, Burt Shaw, Bret Bernard, Dr. Ralph Hale, Chuck Metz, Richard Foster, Scott Schulte, Leland Faust and Maureen O’Toole [among others],have served as Trustees, establishing a strong legacy of leadership, experience, and commitment to our Olympic Teams.
The Board of the United States Water Polo Foundation consists of five members who have deep roots in the Olympic movement and a breadth and depth of experience. Three current members of the Foundation have represented the United States at an Olympic Games. Three Trustees are members of the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame. The Foundation has long been committed to athlete participation and four members of the Foundation were athletes on the Men’s or Women’s Olympic or World Championship Water Polo Teams. The experience and backgrounds of the Trustees complement one another and also reflect and provide the necessary expertise to support and fulfill the mission of the US Water Polo Foundation.
Reflective of their passion and dedication to making a difference and putting athletes first, each one of the Trustees has donated and made financial contributions to the Foundation.
The current USWPF Trustees are:
Andrew McDonald – Chairman
1980,1984 (Silver Medalist) US Men’s Olympic Water Polo Team
NCAA Water Polo Championship Team Member – Stanford University
USA Water Polo Hall of Fame member
Former member of the United States Olympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council
President, McDonald Capital Investors, Inc.
Christopher Duplanty
1988 (Silver Medalist),1992,1996 (Team Captain) US Men’s Olympic Water Polo Team
Assistant Coach, 2000 US Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team (Silver Medalist)
Member NCAA Water Polo Championship Team – UC Irvine
USA Water Polo Hall of Fame member
Former member of United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Athletes’ Advisory Council Vice Chair
Erika Figge
Member NCAA Water Polo Championship Team - University of Southern California
NCAA All American
Peter J. Cutino Award Finalist
USA National Team member including 2007 Pan American Games (Gold Medalist) and Alternate for 2008 Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team
Former Assistant Coach, USA Women’s Junior National TeamCurrent Athlete - New York Athletic Club
Lynn Kachmarik
NCAA All American - Slippery Rock University
Former Head Coach, Water Polo and Swimming - Bucknell University
USA National Team member and Team Captain
Former Assistant Coach, USA Women’s National Team
USA Water Polo Hall of Fame member
Former Athletic Director - Saint Mary’s College
Former member of USA Water Polo Board of Directors
Donald McQuade
Professor, Department of English and former Vice Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley
Member of two National Water Polo Championship Teams
FINA Water Polo Official – at numerous international tournaments and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games