PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -– La Salle University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw has announced Tom Hyham as new head men’s and women’s water polo coach. Hyham has over 30 years of experience in the sport and has spent the last seven years as a club coach in Southern California.
“Tom emerged as a candidate that we feel very comfortable leading the men’s and women’s water polo programs moving forward,” Bradshaw said. “He has a deep understanding of the game, having been around it for over 30 years, and has connections in a key recruiting area.”
Hyham began his water polo career in 1983 as a three-time Team MVP and all-league selection at Pacifica High School. He would go on to play on the collegiate level at Cypress College, earning all-conference honors for the Chargers.
After his collegiate career, Hyham stayed involved in the sport as both a player and coach. He served as head varsity boys coach at Pacifica High School for five years, advancing his team to its first-ever appearance in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs. Hyham also played at the Master’s level, participating in Master’s Nationals multiple times.
Most recently, he has been coaching club water polo in Southern California with Huntington Beach Water Polo’s 18U teams. With Huntington Beach, a top-five club team in Southern California, he was responsible for the training and development of multiple elite level athletes.
“I am very excited to begin coaching the men and women at La Salle,” Hyham said. “I am looking forward to building on the foundation they have been constructing over the past couple of years. There is truly a great opportunity for growing this very young program!”
Hyham is part of a family full of water polo players – he met his wife, Karla, playing high school water polo and has raised three daughters who have played the sport at a high level – Tori (recent graduate – University of Oregon women’s collegiate club), Kali (rising sophomore – Bucknell University), and Marina (incoming freshman – Marist College).
An all-around athlete, Hyham has completed two Ironman Triathlons over the last decade.
Release courtesy La Salle University Athletics Communications
