BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Former Bucknell University men’s and women’s water polo interim head coach Paul Rave continues to be involved in education as a math and science teacher/learning lab coordinator at IDEAL School of Leadership in Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
A 2001 graduate of the University of California-Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and a former assistant coach and interim head coach with the Gauchos, Rave joined the Bucknell men’s and women’s water polo programs as an assistant coach in 2008.
He was elevated to interim head coach of both Bison water polo programs in December 2010 following the departure of head coach John Abdou to assume an assistant coaching position back in his native California. Rave led the Bucknell women’s team through the 2011 season compiling a record of 13-18 prior to departing the institution.
Following his time at Bucknell, Rave joined OPSCO, LLC in York, Pa., as a well test operator from September 2011 until December 2013. He moved South to Florida in 2014 to become a Specialist in Executive Functioning and Metacognitive Skills at Oxbridge Academy in Oxbridge, Fla., from July 2014 until June 2019. In addition, Rave served as head swimming coach at Oxbridge from July 2014 until February 2019. He most recently joined IDEAL School of Leadership in July 2019.
A member of the UCSB men’s water polo team from 1997-2000, during his senior season he not only served as the team captain but was also named Most Valuable Player and the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Men’s College Water Polo Athlete of the Year.
Prior to his playing career with the Gauchos, Rave was a goalie for the U.S. Water Polo National Youth Team and was named the MVP in the 1996 Eastern High School Championships. He was also the starting goalie for the Navy Aquatics team that won the goal medal at the 1995 Junior Nationals and finished second at the National Junior Olympics.
Rave has spent extensive time on the pool deck as a coach for the Santa Barbara Water Polo Foundation. As the co-head coach for the 18-and-under boys team, Rave helped lead his team to a goal medal at the 2006 National Junior Olympics. His 18-and-under squad also captured second place at the National Club Championships and the Winterfest Tournament, both in 2006.
