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Adam Krikorian Named Women's Senior National Team Head Coach
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. –
Adam Krikorian, who led the UCLA Bruins women's
water polo team to seven national championships and 261 wins during
his ten year reign as head coach, has been appointed Head Coach of
the USA Women’s National Team. He takes over one the most
successful women's program in the world, which includes three
Olympic medals and two World Championship titles.
“During the past ten years Adam has compiled an unparalleled
NCAA record in women's water polo," said Christopher Ramsey, Chief
Executive Officer of USA Water Polo. "We have every confidence that
he will continue his winning ways in the international arena while
leading a program that has earned a reputation for its consistency
and integrity."
Krikorian will assume responsibility for the women's national team
when the NCAA women's water polo season. His first test will be the
FINA World Championships, which will be held this coming July in
Rome, Italy.
“I would like to thank both Chris and Guy for giving me this
opportunity and would also like to thank UCLA for allowing me to
continue to coach on the collegiate level. With the recent success
of both of our National Teams and the new formation of the Olympic
Development Program, I believe it is a very exciting time to be
associated with USA Water Polo. Personally, I am truly looking
forward to the challenge and the opportunity to coach and compete
with and against the best teams, the best coaches, and the best
athletes in the world.” Krikorian said.
Krikorian will step down from his position as head coach of the
UCLA women's water polo team at the conclusion of this season, but
he will remain on the UCLA men's staff.
At USA Water Polo, Krikorian will join men's national team Head
Coach Terry Schroeder and reunite with his predecessor and women's
program architect, Guy Baker, who was recently named Director of
Olympic Development Department after guiding the team to three
consecutive Olympic Medals, a feat unequaled by any other nation.
In Beijing, Schroeder coached Team USA's men's water polo team to
their first Olympic medal in 20 years.
“I’m very excited that Adam will be joining our staff
and I look forward to working with him, supporting him in anyway
that I can, and learning from him as well,” said USA
Men’s Senior National Team Head Coach Terry Schroeder
Baker and Krikorian have a long history together dating back to
Krikorian’s playing days when he was recruited to the
Westwood campus by Baker. The duo helped UCLA to their first
men’s championship in 23 years in 1995 and continued success
together after Krikorian’s playing days when he joined
Baker’s staff as an assistant. Krikorian served as co-head
coach in the late 90s before taking over full-time in 2001 as Baker
transitioned to USA Water Polo.
“What an exciting time for the Women’s Senior National
Team, the entire Olympic Development Program and USA Water Polo. I
have thoroughly enjoyed the selection process and I have the utmost
confidence in Adam’s abilities as he moves into the
international arena. We have been fortunate to share many
experiences and we have crossed a similar path before. I look
forward to working with Adam as the women’s program starts a
new era,” Baker said.
Women’s Senior National Team Captain Brenda Villa echoed
many of the same sentiments, “After a very thorough and
complete selection process I think I speak for our entire team when
I say we are very excited to start a new chapter of the
women’s program with a very qualified, experienced coach like
Adam. In the last decade Adam has won a host of championships and
we are confident he will be able to continue the success our team
has enjoyed,” said Villa.
A former standout on the UCLA varsity water polo team from
1992-95, Krikorian was captain of the UCLA 1995 Men’s NCAA
championship team, UCLA’s first title in 23 years. Krikorian
has earned National Women's Water Polo Coach of the Year honors
five times-2001, 2005-08 and also received National Men's Coach of
the Year honors in 2004 after having led the UCLA men's program to
its eighth overall NCAA championship. He has guided the
women’s team to seven national championships, six sanctioned
by the NCAA including a current string of four consecutive titles.
In addition he has piloted the men’s program to three NCAA
titles two of the three were as Co-Head Coach with Guy Baker.
Krikorian, 34, graduated from UCLA with a psychology degree and a
business administration emphasis in June 1997. Krikorian is married
to Anicia Mendez, a four-year Bruin letter-winner in varsity tennis
who completed her MBA at UCLA. Adam and Anicia reside in Manhattan
Beach, Calif., with their son, Jack (born July 2006).
Release courtesy USA Water
Polo
About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc. is the national governing body for water polo
in America, overseeing the United States Olympic water polo program
as well as 20 different championship events annually, including the
S&R Sport Junior Olympics and the Masters National
Championships. With more than 30,000 members, USAWP is also the
sanctioning authority for more than 400 tournaments nationwide.
USAWP is committed to the development of the sport nationwide. It
fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, including a national
system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches and officials.
