FAQ

•Who can play?

We welcome any and all players.

Many guys on our team have not played water polo before coming to Northwestern. Our team is small enough that you will get individual help with your skills and significant playing time in most tournaments no matter who you are so that you learn the game.

Water polo is a fun and exciting game, and if you have a swimming or athletic background, you will LOVE water polo. Read more about it here.

•What is the time commitment?

Fall: The fall is our main season. We have a Big Ten championship tournament at the beginning of November. During the season, which is less than the first half of fall quarter, we practice Mon-Thurs from 8:30-10:30 p.m. and travel to tournaments nearly every weekend.

Late Fall, Spring and Winter: If you are not sure about the time commitment and intensity of the fall season, make sure to try out water polo during the "off-season." During the winter and spring, our team has a more relaxed time commitment.

We still play in a couple of tournaments during the spring. In 2005, we traveled to the University of Tennessee and visited New Orleans right before Mardi Gras at Tulane University. We have scrimmages twice a week, and there is more time for our coach and other players to hone and focus on other players' fundamental skills.

•Are there tryouts?

No. We have guys playing at all skill levels. Everybody's welcome, regardless of experience.

•Are there scholarships available?

Sorry, but this is a club team that is run by the guys on the team. The school does not cover all of our expenses. We need to collect dues and fundraise to support the team.

• Is there a women's team, and what are they like?

There is a women's club team at Northwestern. Their main season is in the winter and spring. During their main season, we sometimes scrimmage with them. They placed fourth in the Big Ten Championship Tournament in 2005.

They are by far the best looking girls on campus.

GO SUSIE!

•Where do we practice?

The Henry Crown Sports Pavilion/Norris Aquatics Center
2379 North Campus Drive
Evanston, Illinois 60208-3610
847/491-4300

- Olympic-sized swimming pool (50 meters x 25 yards) with 2 movable bulkheads - Hosted: 1995 Big Ten Water Polo Championships
- Hosted: 1996 National Club Championships

•I'm interested in playing Water Polo for Northwestern University. Who can I contact?

Send an email to our captains, Steve, Dan and Andrew:

nuwpofficers@listserv.it.northwestern.edu

Or email our coach, Bingo:

brianbegeman@msn.com

•How much are dues?

This past year they were $175. That covered all tournament fee plus our hotel rooms and transportation to tournaments.
* Dues can be refunded through fundraising.

• How many tournaments does Northwestern play in?

This 2005 fall season, Northwestern will attend five tournaments at universities around the Midwest, including the Big Ten Championship. They take place on the weekends, and usually allow us to play four games. In the winter and spring we play in a tournament about once a month. During the spring of 2005, we were able to play in three tournaments, including a tournament in an outdoor pool at Tennessee and a visit to Tulane University in New Orleans right before Mardi Gras.

• Is there an off-season?

Yes. We practice at least once a week to stay in shape and cultivate skills and strategy for the fall season. We play in an annual coaches and referee clinic in January in Chicago, host a Saturday tournament, and attend at least one other tournament.

• Is the Big Ten Competitive?

Very. There is a Big Ten Championship and the top team competes in the National Club Championship. The Big Ten winner has finished in the top three 4 out of the last 5 years with two national championships.

• How often do you practice?

During the Fall season we practice Mon, Tues, Wed, & Thurs from 8:30 - 10:30pm. Friday is usually a day for travel.
In the winter we practice every Tues. from 8:30-10:30. On Thurs. we have a light captain's practice, or we scrimmage with a men's club team.

• I don't know if I'll have enough time.

Water polo is a fun sport, and it's a great way to stay in shape. If you love to play, we'd love for you to come by. Our team is completely voluntary. Your first priority is school. We don't want to force you into a situation you can't handle.

*Also, studies have shown that having a regular extra-curricular activity helps people create a more effective time-management system and a more balanced lifestyle.

• When is Northwestern's season?

--Men's Club Water Polo is played from the beginning of fall semester to the first week in November. Tournaments are frequent, about every weekend.
--Northwestern's "off-season" is the winter and spring, with tournaments about once a month.
--During the summer, we usually join with men's clubs when we go home.