BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — The CWPA Remote interview series continues as Carthage College alumna/Pomona-Pitzer Colleges’ assistant coach Elyssa Hawkins talks with Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Director of Communications Ed Haas about competing for the Lady Reds, coaching the Sagehens and more.
Hawkins, who recently completed her first season on the Pomona-Pitzer bench, previously coached at Windy City Water Polo in Oak Park, Ill., from 2018-2020. She led youth teams to State Championship in 12U and 10U and 14U Runner up finish, established first ever Illinois 10U league. She also spent time coaching at Lyons Water Polo Club in Western Springs, Ill., from 2014-2017. She coached 15+ athletes who are currently playing in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) water polo and coached one player who is competing on the USA Junior National Team.
Hawkins played as a defender for Carthage during her collegiate career and helped the Lady Reds to third place in the CWPA Division III conference. She earned Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic honors twice, CWPA Scholar-Athlete recognition all four years and was a Carthage Distinguished Senior Athlete Finalist in 2018.
She was also a member of the USA Water Polo Olympic Development program from 2009-2013 and graduated from Carthage in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media with emphasis in Sports Science and Public Relations.
