Logan Schofield Signs Pro Contract with Serbian Power VK Partizan

Read more on Logan Schofield in this feature from Sept. 2019

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Logan Schofield, a two-time Honorable Mention All-American who helped lead the Bucknell men's water polo team to one of its finest seasons ever in 2019, has signed a professional contract with Serbian club VK Partizan. The Belgrade-based club has a long history of success, highlighted by seven all-time European championships and 10 Serbian League titles since 2007.

Schofield, who earned First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference honors as both a junior and senior, in addition to the pair of Honorable Mention All-America citations, scored 66 goals for the Bison last season. He scored three times and drew two key ejections that led to penalty shots in Bucknell's 13-12 win over previous unbeaten Harvard in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That was the team's first NCAA win since 1985 and sent the Bison into the national quarterfinals. The team finished the season 23-9 with a top-10 national ranking.

Schofield, a native of Maumee, Ohio, finished his career ranked No. 2 in program history with 297 career ejections drawn. After playing a reserve role during his first two seasons, Schofield was one of the nation's most dominant centers as a junior and senior.

Since graduating last May, Schofield has been training in his hometown near Toledo, and he worked out the final details on his first pro contract earlier this week. While the Serbian league schedule is just getting underway, the signing of foreign players is now taking place. Schofield hopes to be in Belgrade by the end of the month, with the season running through June.

"This really means a lot," said Schofield. "One of my goals for a long time, ever since I got to Bucknell, was to someday be able to play professionally. I'm so excited to see it pan out and I can't wait to join the team. I know I have a lot to learn going from college water polo to a whole new level. I just want to throw myself into the culture and learn as much as I can."

This will not be Schofield's first time in Serbia. He earned a spot on the USA Junior National Team during the summer between his freshman and sophomore years at Bucknell. Schofield, who was the only non-Californian on the squad, spent nearly a month in Serbia as Team USA competed at the FINA Junior World Championship.

Schofield said he has already leaned on a couple of former Bison teammates for advice before he heads overseas to one of the world's foremost water polo hotbeds. Marko Djordjevic, an all-conference player at Bucknell, is a Belgrade native who was one class ahead of Schofield. And four-time All-American and national player of the year finalist Rade Joksimovic is a Novi Sad, Serbia native who also graduated in 2020.

"I have spoken quite a bit with Rade and Marko, and they have been great resources as far as what to expect with the culture and a lot of logistical questions," said Schofield. "Marko played for the Partizan youth team growing up, so he really knows the club and what kind of style they like to play. I know it's going to be a lot more physical over there. The players are older and stronger and more experienced, and I won't be able to rely solely on what made me successful in college. I just want to take in as much as I can."

Logan Schofield Signs Pro Contract with Serbian Power VK Partizan

Players Mentioned

Rade Joksimovic

Logan Schofield

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