BRIGEPORT, Pa. — Among the most influential leaders in collegiate water polo over the past 30+ years, a former city manager and a 2014 inductee to the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame, Andy Takata discusses public versus private sector strategies, avoiding distractions and staying focused and his Olympic officiating experience on the Measure Success Podcast.
Most remembered for his work as a water polo official on the collegiate and international levels, Takata has volunteered his time to the sport in a variety of governance roles and developmental ventures. A member of the USA Water Polo Board of Directors, Takata also served as Vice-President, Treasurer and National Referees’ Chair. A member of the UANA Technical Water Polo Committee, he was also the Commissioner of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) and served on the Technical Water Polo Committee for the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA).
Further, he is considered among the best American water polo referees of all-time. In a career that started in 1978, Takata quickly climbed the ranks calling his first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Tournament in 1981. He traveled the world representing the United States and whistled matches at the 2000 Olympic Games, 1998 FINA World Championships, three FINA World Cups, several US Olympic Festivals and countless other international and domestic championships.
