Wheaton adds water polo

Alana Burgess selected as first coach for men’s and women’s teams

Wheaton has added men’s water polo and women’s water polo as the 22nd and 23rd varsity athletics programs at the college.

“Today is a historic day for Wheaton athletics, as we add two new varsity sports for the first time in over a quarter century,” said Gavin Viano, associate vice president for athletics and strategic programs, in making the announcement in August 2022. “With this addition, Wheaton becomes the second school in the NCAA, along with Stanford, to field the sports of artistic swimming, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s water polo, at the varsity level. We’re excited to welcome the intercollegiate water polo community to Balfour Natatorium on a regular basis, starting in 2023.”

After a nationwide search, Alana Burgess has been hired as the inaugural head coach for both the men’s and women’s water polo programs.

“Coach Burgess has played and coached at the highest levels of the NCAA and we are incredibly excited to partner with her to build our varsity water polo program and have her on campus as the leader of our newest teams. The future of Wheaton water polo is bright,” Viano said.

Burgess is one of only four female coaches to lead a men’s program at the NCAA level.

“I am beyond thrilled to be named the head coach,” Burgess said. “I will gladly accept the challenge of building both programs from the ground up, and I am excited to be a part of an athletics