Does Dartmouth have a water polo team? Dartmouth has both a men's team and a women's team.
When do the teams compete?
Men's Team - The men's team primarily competes in the fall. Its season begins with a training trip in early September. Past trips have been to Northern and Southern California. Games and tournaments occur from September to November, concluding with National Championships in mid-November. The winter (January-March) is primarily a conditioning season for the men's team, with swim workouts and other drills held several times per week. During the spring, the team practices daily and competes in several scrimmages and tournaments.

 

Women's Team - The women's team's primary season is in the spring. Training begins in the winter term with swim conditioning and intensifies late in the term and over spring break. Tournaments and games begin in late March or early April and continue through May. During the fall, women also practice and compete.

 

All players are encouraged to work out over the summer, either at home with local teams or during their sophomore summer at Dartmouth.

 

Is it difficult to balance athletics and academics? Dartmouth is a challenging school, and academics are always the top priority. The men's and women's water polo teams each has one of the highest GPAs of any Dartmouth athletic team. Both teams train seriously, but as the current team members demonstrate, with planning and discipline you can play competitively and still be an academic leader.
Can I swim and play water polo at Dartmouth? Traditionally, men's water polo players have been able to participate in both sports, with the approval of both head coaches. Women's players normally are able to participate in both as well. Several players each year play both sports, and sometimes the captain of the water polo team has also been the captain of the swim team. But both teams take their sports seriously, so you need to make an equally serious commitment to both.

 

Is either Dartmouth water polo team varsity? No, Dartmouth competes as club teams. But it makes little difference, since the each team runs similarly to a varsity team. The Dartmouth polo teams have a coach,travel, and train intensely as if they were a varsity team. Dartmouth teams train and compete to win, not just to play. Joining the team means you make a commitment to come to all team practices, meetings, and games. It is expected that water polo be your second highest priority, next only to academics.

Do the teams compete intercollegiately? Absolutely. Both teams play other school teams, both at home and away.

How have the teams done? The men's team captured the National Collegiate Club Championships in November 1997. It repeatedly has qualified for Nationals. The men's team is the reigning New England Division champion and currently 8th place in the nation. The women's team finished second at 2004 Nationals.

Does Dartmouth plan to go varsity? It's not currently planned by the College. However, as a club team, Dartmouth is free from the NCAA restrictions on recruiting, training times, and competition schedules, among other things.

How often do the teams practice? During the regular competition season, practices are five days a week for two hours. Before the fall season starts, the men's team takes a training trip, which includes two practices per day and scrimmages, and another week of double practices before school starts.

Since Dartmouth is not a varsity team, how much does it cost to play? Team members pay dues, about $200 a year. That is enough to cover less than a third of the team's total expenses. The team raises money each year and receives donations from generous alumni and parents. These funds cover equipment (suits and balls), travel, lodging, and other expenses. Some financial support available for those who have difficulty paying team dues.

 

Return to Prospective Players page