June 13, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University has appointed Menlo Park native Keith Wilbur as head coach of the men's and women's water polo teams, Director of Athletics and Recreation Cheryl L. Levick announced today. Wilbur will begin his duties at Santa Clara on July 1.
Wilbur recently completed his first season on the water polo coaching staff at San Jose State University. In addition to his coaching duties for the Spartans, he coordinated recruiting efforts for a team that finished the 2002 season ranked sixth nationally. Wilbur also currently serves as an age group water polo coach for boys and girls at the Burlingame Aquatic Club and as the men's varsity coach at Burlingame High School. Over the past two seasons, Wilbur has advanced the developing Burlingame program from ninth to fifth place in the Peninsula Athletic League while his 2000 squad received an academic award for the highest GPA in the Central Coast Section.
"I am pleased that Keith Wilbur will be leading our men's and women's water polo programs," said Levick. "He is energetic, organized and has a clear vision of how we can continue to advance our program. I am confident he is the perfect fit for our situation and will blend well with our student-athletes, coaches and staff."
Wilbur started his coaching career as the boys varsity water polo coach at Menlo School, where he coached four high school All-Americans and led the team to the CCS Championships three times in his four years there. Prior to his arrival, Menlo had never won a CCS playoff match.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach the Bronco program," Wilbur said. "Santa Clara University has a reputation as being a great university to coach at, with its strong history across the entire athletic department. Both the men's and women's programs are already moving in the right direction and I look forward to the chance to continue that momentum."
Wilbur graduated from Princeton in 1996 with a degree in Economics. As a player, he was a team captain as a senior, leading the Tigers defensively from the cage to three Ivy League Championships and the 1992 East Coast Championships. Wilbur was also a member of the U.S. National Team in 1997-98 and competed at the 1997 World University Games in Sicily, Italy.