WWPA announces new leadership, Mike Reid appointed Commissioner

The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) is proud to announce a new leadership structure heading into 2023-24.

Mike Reid, who has been immersed in collegiate water polo for nearly 35 years as a player, administrator and official, has been named Commissioner and Coordinator of Officials following a national search.

The WWPA's Director of Communications, Matt Berson, has been elevated to Assistant Commissioner and will oversee the conference's external relations.

"Being entrusted as the next WWPA Commissioner and Coordinator of Officials is an honor and one that I do not take lightly," said Reid. "I've had the opportunity to see WWPA leadership mold this conference from a loose group of member institutions to our present position as an all-NCAA Division II field. I'm excited to work with our stakeholders to support the growth of NCAA Division II water polo, and to provide positive student-athlete experiences at WWPA schools throughout the country."

The WWPA has a new look on the men's side in 2023-24 as four familiar programs joined the ranks following nationwide conference realignment. The WWPA's men's and women's divisions now consist of a total of nine NCAA DII institutions, divided into two geographic regions, for the first time in league history.

"We've seen a great deal of change in recent history with multiple conferences realigning. As the sole Division II conference in the country, I'm looking forward to increasing our visibility and providing an attractive option for programs looking to compete for a ticket to Nationals against similarly-affiliated schools," said Reid.

Reid is no stranger to the pool deck, having served as a water polo official since 1996 in both USA Water Polo (USAWP) and high school/collegiate water polo. 2023 marked his 20th consecutive year officiating men's and women's collegiate conference championships. In addition, he earned the opportunity to referee both the men's (2021) and women's (2012) NCAA Championship. 

Reid has officiated USAWP from international senior-level contests to the under-10's. He was the Southern Pacific Zone (includes Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties) Assignor of Officials from 1998 to 2014, during which he refereed the USAWP's Junior Olympic Championships three times (2010-2012). He served two terms as the Southern California Aquatics Federation (SCAF) President (2008-09 and 2010-11) and is currently the Treasurer for SCAF's Orange County chapter.

Reid prepped at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, Calif. before playing for Chapman University (1988-91). He took the reins as head coach of the water polo and swim teams at Orange High School in 1992 before moving on to a nine-year stint as co-head coach for water polo and swimming at University High School in Irvine. Reid started the Trojan Girls program in 1996 and went on to win seven league titles and make four appearances in the CIF-SS Championship game.

Mike and his wife, Wendy, celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary this year. The couple has two sons, Jake and Jack. 

"The conference is in great hands as we move into a new chapter of the Western Water Polo Association," said Cal State Monterey Bay Director of Athletics Kirby Garry, who co-chaired the search committee along with Fresno Pacific Associate Athletics Director Bryan Huettman. "Mike has been a well-respected water polo community member for three decades, and his strong relationships in the sport will serve him well in this new role. 

Matt [Berson] has earned this opportunity to work closely with Mike on what the future of the WWPA looks and feels like for our coaches and student-athletes."

Berson has been with the WWPA since 2018 and will oversee the conference's external affairs, including strategic communications, brand management, social media and partnerships. 

He is a veteran intercollegiate athletics administrator whose stops have included UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Cal State San Marcos and Cal State Maritime Academy. He resides in North County San Diego with his wife, Breea, and daughter, Skylar.