Women's Water Polo Legend Maureen O'Toole To Be Inducted Into International Swimming Hall Of Fame
9/2/2010 12:00:00 AM
Huntington Beach, CA - September 2 - Maureen O'Toole, a legend in the game of women's water polo and one of the best players to ever suit up for the United States of America will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame this September 10 in Zagreb, Croatia. The induction will take place during the European Water Polo Championships and is the latest in a string of well deserved honors for one of the icons of the game.
The accolades O'Toole achieved in some 21 years in the game is staggering. A six-time World Water Polo Female Athlete of the Year she competed in six World Championships, seven World Cups, winning Gold in 1979, and the first Olympic Games for women's water polo in 2000. O'Toole came up in a time before water polo was readily available to women and played both high school and college water polo against men. A recent recipient of the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Award honoring former college athletes that are still making an impact in the community today O'Toole concluded her international water polo career helping Team USA to a Silver Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Currently O'Toole remains active in the water polo community with coaching club water polo and at the University of California-Berkeley.
Prior to departing for Croatia, O'Toole was kind enough to answer a few questions for usawaterpolo.org.
Q. What are your thoughts on being selected to the International Hall of Fame?
A. This is a huge honor. I am proud to represent all the women who helped really get the sport to be part of the Olympics!
Q. Where does it rank with all of your other great achievements?
A. This ranks right up there. Water Polo has been a huge part of my life both as a player and a coach and I am humbled to be named to be part of this special group.
Q. How did that come about? Is it something you had hoped for?
A. I am not sure. I believe Bruce Wigo nominated me. It is not something I really thought about but I am very honored to be named to this.
Q. Will you be giving a speech, who else will be attending?
A. I know Bruce Wigo is going to be there and I give a 3 minute speech. My mom and my sister are both going to be there with me. My husband would love to come but is not able to take the time off as a teacher.
Q. You recently won a very special honor from the NCAA, can you tell us more about that?
A. The NCAA award was called the Silver Anniversary Award. This award is given every year to 6 people who graduated from college 25 years ago. It is someone who competed as an NCAA athlete and is making a difference in the community today. Every university nominates an athlete and 6 are picked from this. This year the award winners were: myself, Doug Flutie, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Dr. Greg Carr, Jack Del Rio, and Deb Richard. This was an amazing ceremony. Very much an honor and very humbling!
Q. You came up in a time before women's water polo was what it is today in the college game. How much do you enjoy seeing how it is has grown as a women's sport and also that you have been able to be involved in it now in the coaching arena?
A. First I want to be able to thank Sandy Nitta. She was my coach and mentor for the majority of my career. She not only taught me about water polo but taught me so many lessons in life that I continue to pass on to young athletes today. It is so fun to watch how far water polo has come to see all the opportunities young girls have today and to have the dreams to aspire to be an NCAA athlete. I am fortunate to see my daughter, Kelly, enjoy the benefits of being an NCAA Water Polo student athlete at the University of California at Berkeley.
Q. It's obviously a huge part of your life but what keeps involved with water polo after all these years?
A. I loved playing the sport for as long as I did and the life lessons I learned through this sport and traveling drive me to give back to as many people as I can!
Q. This could be a tough one but can you narrow down perhaps your best memories whether it be playing, coaching with college, club etc?
A. Being able to participate in the Olympics was absolutely incredible. I wanted to go to the Olympics my whole life and was fortunate to get that opportunity. Winning a silver medal in the Olympics. Carrying the flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the World Championships in 1986, but the most important moments were the time spent with my friends/ teammates and the experiences we had. My best friends are people I met through water polo.
Thanks Maureen! For more information on the International Swimming Hall of Fame visit www.ishof.org.
Women's National Team