Monte Nitzkowski

Monte Nitzkowski played water polo at Fullerton Junior College and then for UCLA in 1950-51. He also swam for the Bruins, primarily as a breaststroker, winning two conference championships and setting the Pacific Coast Conference record for the 200 yard breaststroke. Nitzkowski later became one of the top US water polo coaches and one of the world’s authorities on water polo. He coached Long Beach City College from 1954-89, leading them to 32 championships and 12 conference titles. He coached the US national team from 1967-84, leading them at the 1972, 1976, and 1984 Olympics. He also coached the US team at the 1979 and 1983 Pan American Games. Nitzkowski was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1991 and the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.