College of San Mateo announces return of water polo/swimming, Silva named head coach

SAN MATEO - College of San Mateo Dean/Athletic Director Andreas Wolf has announced the return of the Bulldogs' aquatics programs, including men's and women's water polo as well as men's and women's swimming.

"After a long hiatus, we are excited to bring back an intercollegiate aquatics program to College of San Mateo," said Wolf. "The return of women's water polo and men and women's Swim will provide much needed opportunities for our students interested in competitive aquatics. We are also excited to announce the return of men's water polo after decades of being on the shelf. College of San Mateo has a long history of competitive intercollegiate aquatics and we look forward to competition in the Coast Conference."

The CSM swim teams are set to return to competition during the upcoming spring 2023 season, with the water polo teams scheduled to play next fall (2023). The Bulldogs last participated in women's water polo and men's and women's swimming during the 2019-20 seasons, while the last men's water polo team competed several years ago.


       Andrew Silva

With the addition of these four teams, CSM has named Andrew Silva as a full-time kinesiology instructor and head aquatics coach. Silva most recently served as Head Water Polo & Swim Coach and Aquatics Director at Serra High School in San Mateo and has coached water polo and swimming at the high school, club, community college, NCAA Division I, and international levels. He is currently a National Team Coach with USA Water Polo, and was part of the coaching staff for the FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia where the USA won the gold medal last month.

"The search for a coach to lead this endeavor was highly competitive and after the conclusion of the process, it was clear Andrew Silva was the right fit," said Wolf. "Not only has he experienced success at all levels from high school to community college, to NCAA Division I, he is also a member of the coaching staff of USA Water Polo where they just completed a gold medal finish in Serbia this summer.

"He fits the mold of a true Bulldog and we are elated to have him join our staff and make a mark on the aquatics community. He has hit the ground running and I am confident he will develop successful programs."

Student-athletes interested in competiting on any of the CSM aquatics teams can fill out the appropriate recruit form to be contacted by the coaching staff.

(Chris Ruiz)