WWPA to add Concordia to women’s membership in 2025-26

The Western Water Polo Association is proud to announce the addition of the Concordia women's water polo program to NCAA Division II's premier collegiate water polo conference starting in the 2025-26 school year.

"Concordia has built itself as one of the top programs in Division II water polo and we couldn't be more excited to welcome them to the WWPA on the women's side," said WWPA Commissioner Mike Reid. "The Golden Eagles match the conference's mission academically and athletically. I'd expect them to be competitive from the get-go and add to the quality of play exhibited at the WWPA Championships."

CUI, which has been a WWPA member on the men's side since since 2017-18, will provide the conference with seven institutions competing in both men's and women's (starting in 2025-26): Biola, Concordia, Fresno Pacific, Gannon, McKendree, Salem and UC Merced. The entire WWPA will have eight programs total; Cal State Monterey Bay competes only on the women's side.

Concordia, located in Irvine, Calif., has hosted a women's program since 2008 when the school was an NAIA member. The University transitioned to NCAA Division II in 2016.

"As we began to evaluate the best direction for the future of our women's water polo program, it became clear that the WWPA is the best fit from every angle," said CUI Vice President of Athletics Crystal Rosenthal. "This will align our program with like-minded institutions, and give us an opportunity for our student-athletes to compete at the NCAA national level. It is always nice to have consistency, so to have our men's and women's water polo programs under the same umbrella will bring stability for years to come."

The Golden Eagles are coached by Casey Greenawalt, who enters his third season at the helm in 2024-25. In 2023-24, Greenawalt's squad boasted two ACWPC Division II All-Americans - Tamsyn Evezard and Abby Mammen -  and had four recognized for all-conference awards. In addition, 16 CUI players were honored with conference all-academic awards.

"Our transition to the WWPA strategically positions us alongside universities with similar programs, enhancing opportunities for our women's team to compete for conference championships annually," explained Greenawalt. "Securing a conference title is pivotal for advancing to the NCAA National Championship, and this move makes that goal increasingly attainable for our program. This development is not only exciting for our current student-athletes but also bolsters our recruiting efforts, attracting top talent nationwide."

The WWPA will have six teams competing on the women's side in 2024-25: Biola, Cal State Monterey Bay, Fresno Pacific, Gannon, McKendree and Salem.