Huntington Beach, Calif. – June 19, 2012 – Guy Baker, USA Water Polo Director of Olympic Development and former Head Coach of the USA Water Polo Men's & Women's National Teams, has resigned from USA Water Polo. Baker stepped down as Head Coach of the USA Water Polo Women's National Team in 2008 after guiding the program to medals at three Olympic Games and gold medals at two FINA World Championships. He had served as Director of Olympic Development since 2008, initiating the complete redevelopment of the elite pipeline for water polo players in America.
"It has been a great fifteen plus years working for USA Water Polo," said Baker. "It has been a journey that I will always cherish. I feel very fortunate and thankful to have been given the opportunity to work with so many great athletes, coaches, and colleagues over the years. We were able to put together a good run over a long period of time, so it is nice now to take the time to think of all the amazing things that were done. I wish USA Water Polo all the best in the future and especially all my best to our Olympic Teams at the upcoming Olympic Games in London."
"Guy has been an innovator in our sport, a coach of remarkable accomplishment in Olympic women's water polo, a thoughtful educator, and a great partner to me and his colleagues," said Christopher Ramsey, CEO of USA Water Polo. "His contribution here spans 15 years, and it has been a heck of a run. In addition to his outstanding record as a coach, he is the architect of an Olympic Development Program that has organized and disseminated water polo fundamentals and tactical teaching to our coaches and athletes across the nation, and he has broadened the pipeline program to enhance opportunity and competition. He leaves a wonderful legacy, and we wish him every good fortune in his future endeavors."
About USA Water Polo USA Water Polo, Inc. is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 different championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 40,000 members, USAWP is also the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport nationwide. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches and officials.
