MPSF Postpones USC Men's Water Polo Season

WOODLAND, CA — The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has postponed its men's water polo season through the 2020 calendar year, based on the decisions to postpone all fall sports by the Pac-12 Conference as well as Austin College and Penn State Behrend.

California, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Austin College and Penn State Behrend are the six programs that compete in MPSF men's water polo. The NCAA's pending decision regarding the fate of fall championships, to be determined by August 21, will determine how men's water polo moves forward which includes the potential to compete in the winter or spring of 2021. 

Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluidity of containment efforts, it is absolutely necessary that the MPSF collaborate with the greater community to minimize the spread and overall impact of the virus. As always, the MPSF remains committed to the safety and well-being of its student-athletes, campus staff, and all others who contribute to the conference.

"We are all disappointed not to have competition ahead this fall, similar to the disappointment we all felt when the women's season was cut short last spring," USC head coach Marko Pintaric said. "We were hoping to play and were looking forward to the season, but we have to think about safety first. It's always about the athletes and making sure that we do what is best for them, and for our campus and our community. I hope this pandemic gets under control so that we can get into training. It's important for our student-athletes' mental health to be able to get in the water and train together. We will fight on, and we are eager for the opportunity to compete for a national championship in the spring."