Former legendary UC Irvine men’s water polo coach Ted Newland dies

Ted Newland (second from left) was a legendary water polo coach at UCI (Photos courtesy UCI Athletic Communications for OC Sports Zone).

UC Irvine officials are mourning the death of former legendary men’s water polo coach Edward “Ted” Newland.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

University athletic officials said Newland died on April 4. Cause of death was not released. Newland’s age was not listed in a release from the athletic department.

In a statement, UCI men’s water polo coach Marc Hunt, who played for Newland and served as an assistant before taking over as head coach in 2005 said:

“Newland inspired integrity and demanded excellence from all of his ‘sons’, He taught us to set lofty goals and exemplified the toughness it takes to achieve.

“If you earned it, the Old Man gave you love. His ability to give love was unique to his character and resulted in loyalty. As an educator, coach, mentor and friend, Newland’s impact exceeds well past the scope of our sport. He was a maker of men and a truly great man.”

Newland became the first NCAA water polo coach to reach 700 victories, and finished his 39-year career at UC Irvine with an overall record of 714-345-5.

He led the Anteaters to 21 NCAA Championship appearances, and brought three national titles back to Irvine (1970, 1982 and 1989). His 1982 squad had a perfect season with a 30-0 record. UCI was also the NCAA runner-up six times.

Newland was a four-time NCAA Men’s Water Polo Coach of the Year and was tabbed the conference coach of the year on nine occasions.

At UCI, Newland mentored 69 individual All-Americans who received the honor a total of 111 times, while eleven of his players went on to compete in the Olympic Games. He also served as UCI’s swim coach in the 1970s, leading the ‘Eaters to three NCAA Division II championships.

“Coach Newland was the Godfather of UCI Water Polo and a legend in the water polo community,” UCI women’s water polo head coach and former player Dan Klatt added.

“Both before his passing and after, it is a daily goal of mine to instill the most important values he represented in the student-athletes that I am fortunate enough to coach. I am forever thankful for the life lessons he gave to me and the community I have become a part of as a result of his faith in me.”

In 2007, Newland was award the UCI Medal, UC Irvine’s highest honor.

On the international level, Newland was the head coach for the U.S. teams in the World University Games in 1999, 1995, 1991, 1979 and 1973. In addition, he coached the U.S. National Team in the Pan American Games. Prior to arriving at UC Irvine in 1966, he initiated the water polo programs at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar High School, guiding CdM to its first CIF water polo championship in 1965.

Over all levels of his coaching career, Newland won over 5,300 games. He was inducted into the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame (1995), Occidental College Hall of Fame (1996) and UC Irvine Hall of Fame (1999).

Newland was a 1954 graduate of Occidental College.

No plans have been announced yet for a service.

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