Moraga, Calif. – Saint Mary's College today announced the launch of a new Division I Aquatics program, adding Men's and Women's Swimming and Men's and Women's Water Polo to its roster of NCAA sports.
Program development is already underway this fall, including the hiring of coaches, identifying training facilities, and recruiting student-athletes—with intercollegiate competition set to begin in the 2026–27 academic year.

"While many NCAA institutions across the country are scaling back athletics, Saint Mary's is making a bold commitment to expand opportunities for students," said Saint Mary's President Roger Thompson. "Our new Aquatics program builds on the Bay Area's rich tradition in swimming and water polo, and affirms our belief that athletics are a vital part of the student experience."

Saint Mary's Aquatics teams will compete at the highest levels of collegiate athletics through established national conferences.

In Men's and Women's Swimming, the Gaels will join the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), a conference that includes several strong Division I programs across the West. Women's Water Polo will compete in the Golden Coast Conference, facing programs such as those at Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Santa Clara, Fresno State, and others. Men's Water Polo will compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC), aligning with Saint Mary's longstanding conference home.

"We are very excited about the addition of Saint Mary's College to the Golden Coast Conference in 2026-27," said GCC Commissioner Dan Smith. "Anytime an institution decides to sponsor the sport for the first time, it's great for water polo. This will be great for Saint Mary's, and it's great for our conference." 

Investing in a New Era
To launch the program, Saint Mary's has established a partnership with nearby Campolindo High School, which will provide use of its Olympic-size swimming pool and Soda Aquatics Center. Looking ahead, the College will be developing a state-of-the-art aquatics facility of its own in the coming years, with vital support anticipated from donors, alumni, aquatics enthusiasts, and friends of Saint Mary's. 

To begin shaping this vision, President Thompson is forming the Saint Mary's Aquatics Leadership Council, which will bring together external supporters, aquatics leaders, and Olympic athletes to help guide the planning process.
"Our vision for aquatics at Saint Mary's will only be realized through the passion and generosity of those who care deeply about this sport," says President Thompson. "This is a unique moment to make a meaningful impact—not just for today's student-athletes, but for the countless Gaels and community members who will benefit from a dedicated aquatics home for decades to come. Together, we can build something enduring, something that reflects the values of our College and the deep tradition of excellence in aquatics across California."

A Regional Hub, with National Support
California has long been a center of excellence in aquatics, with world-class high school programs and a deep culture of swimming and water polo. By launching Aquatics in Moraga—in the heart of the Bay Area's swimming culture—Saint Mary's is tapping into one of the nation's strongest talent pipelines while also aligning with a community that lives and breathes the sport. The College has already secured a partnership with nearby Campolindo High School, whose Olympic-size pool and Soda Aquatics Center will provide training and competition space, complemented by the College's own Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center, a daily home base for student-athletes and coaches.
The national aquatics community has taken notice. Both USA Swimming and USA Water Polo have expressed strong support for the program's launch, underscoring the regional and national significance of Saint Mary's investment.

"We are thrilled to see Saint Mary's College take this step," said Bob Vincent, Interim CEO of USA Swimming. "California is one of the country's strongest aquatics states, and by adding these new opportunities, Saint Mary's is not only strengthening the pipeline of student-athletes but also sending a powerful message about the value of collegiate aquatics."

"Saint Mary's decision to add men's and women's water polo is a tremendous win for our sport," said Jamie Davis, CEO of USA Water Polo. "The Bay Area is one of the great centers of water polo in the United States, and by investing in these programs, Saint Mary's is helping to grow opportunities for student-athletes while deepening the sport's roots in a region that already lives and breathes aquatics."

The College's first priority will be to hire head coaches for Men's and Women's Swimming and Men's and Women's Water Polo, with position postings going live September 15 and appointments anticipated by mid-October. 
"We are committed to hiring coaches who not only bring a track record of competitive success, but who also embody the values that make Saint Mary's unique," said Mike Matoso, SMC's Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "Their leadership will be critical as we build programs that reflect excellence in the pool and the classroom, and that provide a transformative experience for our student-athletes."

With this foundation of regional strength and national endorsement, Aquatics will join perennial national contenders like Gaels Basketball in raising Saint Mary's profile on the Division I stage.

For more information about the launch of the Aquatics program at Saint Mary's, CLICK HERE for an enhanced look.