LA VERNE, Calif. — Patrick Beemer, who has 16 years of water polo coaching experience across all levels, will take the reigns of the La Verne men's and women's water polo programs as the head coach, director of athletics Julie Kline announced on Wednesday.
"We are excited to have Coach Beemer as part of Leopard Athletics," Kline said. "His professionalism and coaching background at all levels of the sport will enhance our student-athletes experience in the pool and the classroom. We are excited to have him leading our program to new heights."
Beemer comes to La Verne from NCAA Division I Saint Francis (Pa.), where he launched its women's water polo program and guided the Red Flash to its inaugural season in 2017.
"Both the men's and women's teams are on the cusp of greatness in the SCIAC and I am excited to see both teams work to be leaders in the SCIAC," Beemer said. "I want to thank Julie Kline and the University for this incredible opportunity. I can't wait to hit the ground running."
Beemer is no stranger to the SCIAC. Prior to Saint Francis, Beemer served as the men's and women's water polo coach at Caltech from 2013-2015. At Caltech, he turned around the men's program that went winless in the two years prior to his appointment and won seven games in his second season in charge. In addition, Beemer mentored two student-athletes to All-American status in 2013 and 2014.
Before his tenure at Caltech, Beemer served at Indiana University as the associate head coach for the women's program. In 2011, the Hoosiers to made an impressive run, winning the Collegiate Water Polo Association tournament and finishing sixth overall at the NCAA National Championship tournament. Beemer also helped the team set a program record 28 wins in 2011 and coached a total of four All-Americans.
Beemer also worked as Indiana's men's club water polo head coach. Over his three years the program became a perennial finalist in the conference tournament, with Beemer being named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2012.
Beemer's collegiate coaching career began at Wagner, where he produced a 116-89 overall record, including a 48-16 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Beemer coached 11 All-MAAC First Team selections, 12 All-MAAC Second Team selections, 29 MAAC All-Academic honorees, three All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. In addition to three regular season conference titles, he guided the squad to berths in the NCAA Championships in 2005 and 2007.
Beemer was also the head coach of the Downey High School boys and girls water polo and swimming teams in his hometown of Downey before taking over at Wagner. He coached the school to a pair of San Gabriel League Championships in 2001 and 2002, as well as an appearance in the 2003 CIF Semifinals.
Beemer had a successful playing career at the University of California, San Diego as a goalkeeper. He graduated from UC San Diego in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in history. He earned a masters degree in secondary education from Wagner in 2006.
