BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. --  Larry Naeve was introduced today by St. Francis Director of Athletics Irma Garcia as the new coach of the men's water polo program. In addition, Igor Samardzija has been appointed the assistant coach of the Terriers.

Naeve replaces Carl Quigley, who resigned this past winter after coaching the Terriers for 34 years, which included six Northern Division Championships and a trip to the NCAA Final Four in 2005.

"Finding someone to fill the shoes of coach Quigley's was initially a daunting task," said Garcia. "We are so lucky to have found Larry, and we are confident that he can build on the impressive standard that Carl has already established at St. Francis."

Naeve's coaching experience spans more than twenty years and includes two impressive stints as the head coach at La Canada High School in California. He began his tenure in 1973 and received the California Interscholastic Southern Section coach of the year award in 1979. Naeve returned to LCHS in 1995 and coached the Spartans until 2007. During Naeve's second stint he received the California Interscholastic Southern Section coach of the year award in 1997, 1999, 2005, and 2007.

A University of Southern California graduate, Naeve's teams won five Rio League Championships from 1973-1980. He later added 10 league championships during his second stretch at LCHS from 1995-2007. He led his squad to the CIF-SS Division III Championships in 1997, 1999, 2005, and 2007.

Coach Naeve has developed 29 High School All Americans and seven Academic All Americans throughout his career. USC, the current NCAA Champions, features three players that Naeve mentored for four years at LCHS. Naeve has also coached United States Water Polo Coastal California Zone teams helping to develop young players in the area.

"St Francis has been an outstanding team under Carl Quigley," Naeve said. "Carl has done a great job. It is an honor to have the opportunity to be part of this program and continue St Francis' commitment to excellence in the classroom and in the pool. Our mission is a simple one - win an NCAA Championship. Hard work, teamwork and intelligence builds character and wins championships. We must develop a team that will rise to the top level of collegiate water polo. The St. Francis players have the ability. It will be up to Igor and me to further develop these players into an outstanding team that will reflect the character and winning attitude that is St. Francis."

Samardzija has coached the men's and women's club teams at Columbia University and has led both squads to three division titles. He is also a volunteer coach and referee at Asphalt Green in Manhattan. Samardzija has also served as an assistant coach for Monterotondo (Rome Italy), Jug (Dubrovnik, Croatia), and Tent (Obrenovac, Serbia). He played for Tent, Jug, and Red Star (Belgrade, Serbia).

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.

Release courtesy St. Francis Athletic Communications