WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a tremendous run in Buff and Blue, recent George Washington University graduate Andrew Mavis (Princeton, N.J./The Pennington School) plans to continue his water polo career playing professionally in France.
A three-time Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-America selection, Mavis has agreed to join USB Bordeaux next season competing in the European country’s Elite Division.
“I’m very excited to go to France and begin the next chapter of my career with USB Bordeaux,” Mavis said. “I’m eager to gain experience playing in the French first league and will look to help in any way I can.”
Over four years with the Colonials, Mavis helped lift the program to unprecedented heights with a pair of Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) titles and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) berths, highlighted by a 2018 run to the national quarterfinals. The hard-working center from New Jersey finished his GW career ranked third in program history with 279 goals and atop the all-time list with 263 ejections drawn.
Under the direction of head coach Barry King, Mavis earned All-America and All-MAWPC honors after each of his final three seasons and was named to the All-MAWPC Championship Team three times, as well. He concluded his collegiate career last fall by tallying 76 goals and 74 ejections drawn for a squad that advanced to the conference final and finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally.
“My time at GW working under Barry and growing with my teammates was a motivating factor to help make this next step,” said Mavis, who also earned ACWPC All-Academic honors three times for his work in the classroom. “I learned so much during my time in Foggy Bottom, and I am happy to represent GW as I continue my career.”
This opportunity represents the realization of a long-held dream for Mavis. In addition to his experience facing off against top collegiate competition, he has spent the past four summers in Serbia training at various clubs under decorated coach Makuljevic Djordje with an eye on eventually taking his career overseas.
Starting this fall, Mavis is set to get that chance playing among the best in France, a natural fit after taking four years of French at GW as part of his work toward a degree in International Affairs.
“We are so proud of Andrew,” King said. “He set a goal of playing professionally in Europe and did the work necessary to accomplish that goal. It will be a fantastic experience for him.
“Bordeaux hit the jackpot with Andrew in just work ethic alone. Ironically, the only academic conversations I ever had with Andrew were about his challenges in French. Now he gets to put his language skills to the test. Très bien, Andrew!”
Release courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
