MERCED, Calif. – University of California-Merced Executive Director of Recreation & Athletics David Dunham announced that Britt Connell has been named the new head coach of the UC Merced women’s water polo program.
Connell joins the Bobcats after serving the last four seasons as an assistant men’s and women’s water polo coach at Brown University. With Connell on the women’s water polo staff, Brown had its best four-year run in program history including posting back-to-back 25+ win seasons in 2022 & 2023. Brown’s 26 wins in 2023 marked a program record. The men’s water polo team also posted a pair of 20+ win seasons with Connell on deck.
“Britt brings a wealth of experience with her to our program as both a player and coach,” said Dunham. “We are excited to work with her to continue to build a successful program.”
“I want to thank the wonderful and supportive administration who have given me this opportunity to lead the women’s team at UC Merced,” said Connell. “Water polo has been a key part of my life, and I’m excited to continue furthering the sport in the central valley. I am thrilled and look forward to working with these young women to create a legacy of empowerment and leadership through the sport.”
Connell was key in guiding several Brown student-athletes to postseason honors including Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-America, Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) All-Conference and ACWPC All-Academic selections. In the record-setting 2023 season, goalkeeper Shauna Franke was named to the Cutino Award Watch List which recognizes the best player in men’s and women’s water polo.
Prior to Brown, Connell was on the coaching staff at Cerritos College where she helped coach the team to Southern California Regional postseason runs.
At the high school level, she coached boys and girls water polo and swim at Hoover High School, Pasadena High School, and Ramona Convent Secondary School for a stretch of eight years before accepting the job at Brown.
Connell’s coaching experience also includes time spent with USA Water Polo Olympic Development Pipeline in the Northeast Zone.
Connell played her collegiate water polo at Bucknell University for four years and was Bucknell’s starting goalkeeper against Princeton University in March 2009 in the first collegiate women’s water polo game ever broadcasted on ESPNU.
She graduated from Bucknell with a degree in English and attained a master’s degree in English from Azusa Pacific University in 2018.
Release courtesy University of California-Merced Athletics Communications
