ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan water polo head coach Cassie Churnside was not always anticipating coaching water polo for a living, much less at a powerhouse like Michigan, but her journey has brought her to Ann Arbor.
“The office job didn’t seem as enticing as being on a pool deck all day,” said Churnside on the latest edition of the “Conqu’ring Heroes” podcast. Being on a pool deck all day is something Churnside is familiar with. She played water polo collegiately for Stanford University and helped lead the Cardinal to back-to-back national titles in 2011 and 2012.
She also has spent the last eight years as an assistant coach at Harvard University, helping both the men’s and women’s teams. Most recently, Churnside was part of the Crimson women’s first-ever Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship game appearance which led to head coach Ted Minnis being named CWPA Coach of the Year. Churside credits Minnis with helping her grow as a coach and find her voice.
“Teddy gave me a huge voice. I was heard. I was given responsibility and I was given a challenge,” said Churnside of her role as a mentor.
Churnside is excited to be able to have a program of her own though, and is looking forward to growing and developing alongside her student-athletes who have been instrumental in easing her transition to Ann Arbor.
“They’re impressive. These girls are incredible,” said Churnside. “They have made me feel incredibly welcome.”
This welcoming treatment has helped Churnside set up the atmosphere of the team. It was very important to both her and the team to set up a positive and disciplined working environment, and the team’s cooperation has been instrumental.
This environment also translates to their lives outside of water polo. Churnside is not just focused on coaching good athletes, but making them better people as well.
“If I am developing them as young leaders outside of the pool, it’s going to translate into the pool,” said Churnside, who is focused on building a culture of effort. She wants her athletes to feel comfortable experimenting in the pool and trying out new things, whether that be plays or positions, without the fear of failure weighing them down.
The Wolverines are looking to build on the success of a 2022 season that saw them go 26-9, and make a push for a national championship with Churnside at the helm.
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
