USA Water Polo Contributor Profiles
Each quarter USA Water Polo will profile various people that have contributed financially to USA Water Polo
Summer 2009 - Jim Kruse
How long have you been donating to USA Water Polo?
Many times over the last 25 years
How did you get involved in USA Water Polo?
Playing with the US National Team in the 1970s
What are some of your favorite memories involving USA Water Polo?
My best memories are of playing with the US National Team in the 1970s and serving as the color commentator for NBC Sports at five Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2000). I'm also very thankful to the US Olympic Team and Terry Schroeder for allowing 4 kids to work out with the team and go to the team barbecue before their departure to Beijing last summer. It helped facilitate a fund raiser for the kids school.
Spring 2009 - Marilyn and Rob Sagehorn
How long have you been donating to USA Water Polo?
About 10 years.
Why did you get involved in USA Water Polo?
Our son Matt, started playing water polo with some of his friends.We live in Long Beach, California and there is a great tradition of water polo players and coaches from Long Beach. We were excited to be a part of that community.
What are some of your favorite memories involving USA Water Polo?
The FINA World Cup in Belgrade (it was Yugoslavia at the time) in 2002 was an amazing experience. There were thousands of people in the stands, cheerleaders, several big screens following the action (including underwater cameras), drums, fireworks, even a fashion show on a runway over the pool. Great energy and enthusiasm, talking to people from different countries, all there for water polo.
The game vs. Croatia (USA: 11, Croatia: 6) in the Junior Worlds tournament in 2007, was fun way celebrate Matt’s 20th birthday. The tournament was held locally, in Los Alamitos, California so there were lots of friends and family in the stands.
What are some of the things you are looking forward to in the future with USA Water Polo?
The creation of a professional league; greater understanding and appreciation of water polo in the United States. Playing in the USA Water Polo Golf Tournament.