Bucknell University Athletics

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
McBride Earns Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Coaching Award From USA Water Polo
2/20/2020 3:45:00 PM | Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell men's and women's water polo Head Coach John McBride has been named the Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Coaching Award recipient for the Northeast Zone, as announced by USA Water Polo.
The winners, representing zones from all across the country, honor contributions in variety of areas including coaching, officiating, volunteering, masters water polo, and more. From these zone award winners will come the USA Water Polo National Award winners. The National Award winners will be announced in 2020 with more information coming in the following weeks.
This past fall, McBride led the men's water polo team to the NCAA Quarterfinals after earning the team its first NCAA Tournament win since 1985. The Bison knocked off previously undefeated Harvard, 13-12, to advance to the NCAA Tournament held in Stockton, Calif. On Sept. 15, 2019, McBride became the all-time winningest coach at Bucknell in combined wins between the men's and women's programs, and currently has earned 301 victories throughout his tenure in Lewisburg.
McBride's .651 win percentage on the men's side ranks second in the Bucknell records book behind Dick Russell (.763). The Bison finished 23-9 overall in 2019, winning its second MAWPC Tournament Title while claiming its fourth straight MAWPC Regular Season Championship. Bucknell has consistently appeared in the national rankings on both the men's and women's sides during McBride's tenure.
The Bucknell women are currently off to a 10-1 start, the best start in program history, and McBride needs just six wins in order to tie John Zeigler (139) for the most wins in Bucknell women's water polo history. Last season, McBride guided the women's program to a 25-12 record, the second-highest win total in a single season in program history, and its highest ever finish at the CWPA Championships with a third-place showing.
McBride and the No. 23 ranked women's water polo team will compete at the Wolverine Invite hosted by Michigan on Feb. 29.
The winners, representing zones from all across the country, honor contributions in variety of areas including coaching, officiating, volunteering, masters water polo, and more. From these zone award winners will come the USA Water Polo National Award winners. The National Award winners will be announced in 2020 with more information coming in the following weeks.
This past fall, McBride led the men's water polo team to the NCAA Quarterfinals after earning the team its first NCAA Tournament win since 1985. The Bison knocked off previously undefeated Harvard, 13-12, to advance to the NCAA Tournament held in Stockton, Calif. On Sept. 15, 2019, McBride became the all-time winningest coach at Bucknell in combined wins between the men's and women's programs, and currently has earned 301 victories throughout his tenure in Lewisburg.
McBride's .651 win percentage on the men's side ranks second in the Bucknell records book behind Dick Russell (.763). The Bison finished 23-9 overall in 2019, winning its second MAWPC Tournament Title while claiming its fourth straight MAWPC Regular Season Championship. Bucknell has consistently appeared in the national rankings on both the men's and women's sides during McBride's tenure.
The Bucknell women are currently off to a 10-1 start, the best start in program history, and McBride needs just six wins in order to tie John Zeigler (139) for the most wins in Bucknell women's water polo history. Last season, McBride guided the women's program to a 25-12 record, the second-highest win total in a single season in program history, and its highest ever finish at the CWPA Championships with a third-place showing.
McBride and the No. 23 ranked women's water polo team will compete at the Wolverine Invite hosted by Michigan on Feb. 29.
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