Huntington Beach, CA - July 29 - USA Water Polo is saddened by the passing of former Men's Olympic Team Head Coach and Hall of Fame inductee Monte Nitzkowski. Among many accomplishments, Nitzkowski guided the USA Men to Bronze at the 1972 Olympic Games, their first medal in 40 years and then a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

A 1993 inductee into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame, Nitzkowski competed for Team USA as a swimmer at the 1952 Olympics before transitioning into a storied coaching career. He was at the helm for 12 Southern California Championships at Long Beach City College. In later years he was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 2010 the Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Men's Coaching Award for performance at the elite level was created to recognize coaches at the very highest level of the sport. 

"Monte was the best. An innovator, a thinker, and a coach who got results. His influence will remain forever with us," said USA Water Polo CEO Chris Ramsey.

Funeral and memorial arrangements have not been announced as of press time. Our throughts are with his family and friends.