Huntington Beach, CA – September 2 – Liz Grimes, the Associate Director of Sport Development has left to resume her coaching career taking on the position of Assistant Coach of Men's and Women's Water Polo at California State University-Long Beach. A graduate of Long Beach State and former player for the 49ers, Grimes returns to the coaching scene after a three year stint with USA Water Polo that saw her focus primarily on the growth of the sport in East and the launch of a pair of national programs while also assisting in a whole host of other facets within the organization.
While at USA Water Polo Grimes helped spearhead the launch of US Leagues, a low cost alternative designed to get new athletes into the game of water polo. While also assisting in the creation of clubs up and down the East Coast, Grimes worked to help create more playing opportunities and club competitions for USA Water Polo members nationwide.
The founder of the JO Expo and the college meet and greet, Grimes designed an opportunity for prospective college athletes to interact with college coaches prior to the beginning of the world's largest tournament. The event which has grown in attendance over the last three years also included parental education.
As a former member of the USA Water Polo Board of Directors, most recently Grimes assisted with the launch of Splashball??????, a program designed to introduce the sport of water polo to the youngest of athletes, ages 5-9. In addition, she assisted in the production and organization of all National Championships, the maintenance of several codes of conduct including the Conduct of Championships along with the development and launch of a standardized background screening policy and process for all coach members of USA Water Polo.
"The people I have met and the places I have been are truly memorable. I appreciate each and every opportunity that has been afforded to me by USA Water Polo. I look forward to hearing about the continued growth and success of USA Water Polo," said Grimes.
"We wish Liz the best in her new venture but we are also ecstatic that she remains in the water polo family. I greatly value the time I was able to spend with Liz and her sharing from the great institutional knowledge she has with our sport," said Scott Tanner, USA Water Polo Director of Sport Development.
Grimes came to USA Water Polo from Major League Baseball where she worked in public relations.
