https://usawaterpolo.org/news/2025/9/10/general-saint-marys-college-launches-new-division-i-aquatics-program.aspx
Moraga, CA September 10, 2025 Saint Mary's College of California today announced the launch of a new Division I Aquatics program, adding Men's and Women's Swimming and Men's and Women's Water Polo to its roster of NCAA sports. The initiative represents a significant expansion of athletic and co-curricular opportunities for students, reinforcing the College's mission to put students at the center of all it does.
The new program will create opportunities for approximately 80 student-athletes at its launch, with growth projected to expand to 100. Program development is already underwayincluding the hiring of coaches, identifying training facilities, and recruiting student-athleteswith intercollegiate competition set to begin in the 202627 academic year. The addition comes at a time when Saint Mary's is also bolstering opportunities in its Spirit Team, Dance and Cheer Teams, and SMC Pep Band programs, which together are expected to grow from 30 to as many as 60 participants.
"While many NCAA institutions across the country are scaling back athletics, Saint Mary's is making a bold commitment to expand opportunities for students," said Saint Mary's President Roger Thompson, whose op-ed on the topic was published in the San Francisco Chronicle in March. "Our new Aquatics program builds on the Bay Area's rich tradition in swimming and water polo, and affirms our belief that athletics are a vital part of the student experience."
Saint Mary's Aquatics teams will compete at the highest levels of collegiate athletics through established national conferences.
In Swimming, the Gaels will join the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), a conference that includes several strong Division I programs across the West. Women's Water Polo will compete in the Golden Coast Conference, facing programs such as those at Loyola Marymount, Fresno State, and others. Men's Water Polo will compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC), aligning with Saint Mary's longstanding conference home.
"We are happy to welcome Saint Mary's College to the MPSF as the Gaels launch their men's and women's swimming programs," said MPSF Commissioner Foti Mellis. "Starting new programs is a significant commitment, and we congratulate Saint Mary's on taking this important step for its student-athletes. We look forward to seeing the Gaels compete in the MPSF and to supporting the growth of collegiate swimming."
"We are very excited about the addition of Saint Mary's College to the Golden Coast Conference in 2026-27," said Dan Smith, GCC Commissioner. "Anytime an institution decides to sponsor the sport for the first time, it's great for water polo. This will be great for Saint Mary's, and it's great for our conference."
Moraga, CA September 10, 2025 Saint Mary's College of California today announced the launch of a new Division I Aquatics program, adding Men's and Women's Swimming and Men's and Women's Water Polo to its roster of NCAA sports. The initiative represents a significant expansion of athletic and co-curricular opportunities for students, reinforcing the College's mission to put students at the center of all it does.
The new program will create opportunities for approximately 80 student-athletes at its launch, with growth projected to expand to 100. Program development is already underwayincluding the hiring of coaches, identifying training facilities, and recruiting student-athleteswith intercollegiate competition set to begin in the 202627 academic year. The addition comes at a time when Saint Mary's is also bolstering opportunities in its Spirit Team, Dance and Cheer Teams, and SMC Pep Band programs, which together are expected to grow from 30 to as many as 60 participants.
"While many NCAA institutions across the country are scaling back athletics, Saint Mary's is making a bold commitment to expand opportunities for students," said Saint Mary's President Roger Thompson, whose op-ed on the topic was published in the San Francisco Chronicle in March. "Our new Aquatics program builds on the Bay Area's rich tradition in swimming and water polo, and affirms our belief that athletics are a vital part of the student experience."
Saint Mary's Aquatics teams will compete at the highest levels of collegiate athletics through established national conferences.
In Swimming, the Gaels will join the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), a conference that includes several strong Division I programs across the West. Women's Water Polo will compete in the Golden Coast Conference, facing programs such as those at Loyola Marymount, Fresno State, and others. Men's Water Polo will compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC), aligning with Saint Mary's longstanding conference home.
"We are happy to welcome Saint Mary's College to the MPSF as the Gaels launch their men's and women's swimming programs," said MPSF Commissioner Foti Mellis. "Starting new programs is a significant commitment, and we congratulate Saint Mary's on taking this important step for its student-athletes. We look forward to seeing the Gaels compete in the MPSF and to supporting the growth of collegiate swimming."
"We are very excited about the addition of Saint Mary's College to the Golden Coast Conference in 2026-27," said Dan Smith, GCC Commissioner. "Anytime an institution decides to sponsor the sport for the first time, it's great for water polo. This will be great for Saint Mary's, and it's great for our conference."
