Update from Head Water Polo Coach John McBride -- March 2023
PRINCETON INVITE BOX SCORES
Hello from Bison Water Polo,
The women traveled to Princeton for a second time this season for their invite. We had four games, and we went 1-3. At this point in the season, the women have played more games than any other team on the east coast. We scheduled this way because we started the season with over 20 women on the team. Our roster has decreased to 13 women for various personal reasons, but it was too late to change the schedule. The women that remain have been training and playing very hard. Despite our record, I could not be more proud of these women. The toughness and resilience have been inspiring. They have never quit or rolled over in any game they have played, and this is the exact kind of culture we need as a program as we move forward post-COVID. The incoming class for 2023 is solid. We have recruited women who love being athletes and are ready to compete at the Division I level. The team we have now is returning to that culture of resiliency we had pre-COVID.
This weekend the women travel to Michigan for four challenging games. All of these games will continue to be great for that growth. The truth is that the regular season is about growth and development. The only games the athletes will remember are those we play at Eastern Championships. Those are the games that matter. The men’s team in 2022 had an average regular season but showed up when things counted and finished second despite being the 5th seed headed into championships. Bucknell water polo players never quit, are great at goal setting, and value the “process.”
After the team travels to Michigan, they will set their sights on a training trip to Puerto Rico over spring break. The trip is to continue to build our culture and get some much-needed rest and bonding time. We will train daily in the National Pool in Central Park in San Juan, along with some cultural experiences, and bring the Bucknell name to other areas of the world.
On behalf of the program, I would like to remind everyone that a very important day is coming later this month. On March 28-29, we will once again be in a battle with all the other athletic and recreation programs at Bucknell during the One Herd One Day giving challenge. The event has been critical in terms of raising funds for the program, and this year we hope water polo can set new donor and dollar goals! Please help us spread the word to family and friends, and if you are able, support the young women and men in the program that day.
I hope this note has found you well. See you on deck!
John McBride
Head Water Polo Coach
Bucknell University
jwm035@bucknell.edu
Office# (570) 577-1777
Cell# (570) 238-6653
Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
| Game #1 | 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | Final |
| BUCKNELL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| IONA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| Game #2 | 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | Final |
| BUCKNELL | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| SIENA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Game #3 | 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | Final |
| BUCKNELL | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| #21 LIU | 4 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 18 |
| Game #4 | 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | Final |
| BUCKNELL | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| VILLANOVA | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 13 |
Hello from Bison Water Polo,
The women traveled to Princeton for a second time this season for their invite. We had four games, and we went 1-3. At this point in the season, the women have played more games than any other team on the east coast. We scheduled this way because we started the season with over 20 women on the team. Our roster has decreased to 13 women for various personal reasons, but it was too late to change the schedule. The women that remain have been training and playing very hard. Despite our record, I could not be more proud of these women. The toughness and resilience have been inspiring. They have never quit or rolled over in any game they have played, and this is the exact kind of culture we need as a program as we move forward post-COVID. The incoming class for 2023 is solid. We have recruited women who love being athletes and are ready to compete at the Division I level. The team we have now is returning to that culture of resiliency we had pre-COVID.
This weekend the women travel to Michigan for four challenging games. All of these games will continue to be great for that growth. The truth is that the regular season is about growth and development. The only games the athletes will remember are those we play at Eastern Championships. Those are the games that matter. The men’s team in 2022 had an average regular season but showed up when things counted and finished second despite being the 5th seed headed into championships. Bucknell water polo players never quit, are great at goal setting, and value the “process.”
After the team travels to Michigan, they will set their sights on a training trip to Puerto Rico over spring break. The trip is to continue to build our culture and get some much-needed rest and bonding time. We will train daily in the National Pool in Central Park in San Juan, along with some cultural experiences, and bring the Bucknell name to other areas of the world.
On behalf of the program, I would like to remind everyone that a very important day is coming later this month. On March 28-29, we will once again be in a battle with all the other athletic and recreation programs at Bucknell during the One Herd One Day giving challenge. The event has been critical in terms of raising funds for the program, and this year we hope water polo can set new donor and dollar goals! Please help us spread the word to family and friends, and if you are able, support the young women and men in the program that day.
I hope this note has found you well. See you on deck!
John McBride
Head Water Polo Coach
Bucknell University
jwm035@bucknell.edu
Office# (570) 577-1777
Cell# (570) 238-6653
Past Newsletters:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.