Bucknell University Athletics
Bret Lathrope Named Assistant Water Polo Coach
7/8/2015 10:24:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head men's and women's water polo coach John McBride on Wednesday announced that Bret Lathrope has joined the Bison water polo staff as an assistant coach. The former UCLA standout most recently was an assistant at UC Davis and has also played professionally in Spain.
A former member of the Junior National Team, National B Team, Polo National 20-and-Under Team, National Cadet Team and National Development Team, Lathrope was a four-year member of the UCLA squad that made three national championship game appearances during his tenure. Lathrope scored 56 goals in his career, including a career-high 19 as a junior in 2011.
“Bret has played water polo at a high level and will bring that experience to Bucknell,” commented McBride. “He has played in national championship games, worked hard to play professionally and gained experience coaching a solid UC Davis program last fall. He will do a great job working with our student-athletes and should have a positive impact on our programs.”
A 6'4” attacker who attended Miramonte High School in Moraga, California, Lathrope played professionally for Agrupacio Esportiva Santa Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain, this past spring.
Lathrope, who graduated from UCLA in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in history, got his start in the coaching profession by serving as the head coach of the Lamorinda Water Polo Club Boys 16-and-under team from December 2013 to August 2014. He then served as an assistant with the UC Davis men's program last fall, helping the Aggies to a third-place finish in the Western Water Polo Association.
Lathrope will serve as an assistant for both Bucknell's men's and women's water polo programs. The men finished 17-9 in 2014 and finished in fifth place at the CWPA Championship, while the women were 14-14 this past spring for their first .500 record since 2010.
