Posted: Nov 14, 2012

Silva to Helm Women’s Water Polo

Citrus College Aquatics Coordinator Andrew Silva will be taking over the helm of the Citrus College Women's Water Polo program.

Glendora, CA -- Citrus College Aquatics Center Coordinator and Head Women's Swim Coach Andrew Silva will helm the Citrus College Women's Water Polo team effective immediately. Silva takes over the program as the program's head coach of the last two seasons Crystal Rivas will be leaving the program.

"This is a great opportunity for me continue my water polo coaching career and manage both women's aquatics programs here at Citrus College. I am very excited to start working with the team and build on the success that Coach Rivas has had over the past two seasons," Silva said. "The water polo program has a number of talented athletes returning next season and I am looking forward to being part of their development."

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave my coaching position at Citrus College. Citrus College Athletics has provided me with many opportunities and milestones. At Citrus College I was allowed to thrive as a student athlete, I met my husband, earned All American honors, and was given the opportunity to lead the women's program as a head coach," Rivas said. "I have been truly blessed to be given the opportunity to be a head coach at such a young age. From the bottom of my heart I thank the Citrus Athletics community for guiding and supporting me through both my athletic and coaching careers. To my athletes that I leave behind, success finds a way, failure finds an excuse."

Silva will take over a team that went 16-16 last year and featured nine freshmen. Silva has been an accomplished water polo coach at every stop in his young career. Silva came to Citrus from Cuesta College where he served as the lead assistant for five seasons for the successful men's program, arguably the top men's program in the Western State Conference.

Prior to Cuesta, Silva spent three years as the Head Women's Water Polo Coach at NCAA Division I Marist College. While at Marist, Silva turned around a moribund program and guided it to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship and a NCAA Women's Water Polo Championship Tournament appearance. In 2006, Silva was named the MAAC Coach of the Year, and in 2007 guided the Red Foxes to a program record in wins and a perfect 10-0 conference mark.

Silva also has extensive experience at both the club and high school levels as well. Silva spent four seasons as the Head Boy's and Girl's Coach at San Luis Obispo High School and also was involved with the Central Coast Water Polo Club for five seasons. Silva currently coaches with the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club based out of Pasadena.

Along with his duties with the water polo program, Silva also helms the Citrus College Women's Swim team which he was hired to resurrect in the summer of 2012. The 2013 season will be the programs first in two years. Silva also serves as a member of the Citrus College Kinesiology Department's Full-Time Faculty.

"We appreciate the hard work and time that Crystal put into the program the last two seasons, and wish her the best of luck as she moves forward," said Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics Jody Wise. "We know the program is in good hands with Andrew, and we are confident he will continue to move the program in a positive direction."