Courtesy of Long Beach State Media Relations

On Tuesday, USA Water Polo announced that Long Beach State Water Polo head coach Gavin Arroyo will be part of the 36th induction class for the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.

“Undoubtedly a great honor,” Arroyo said. “This program holds a special place in my heart and to be recognized by and associated with the greats of our sport is truly special. I am happy to see the tremendous growth of our sport.”

Arroyo had a storied playing career in the pool and was a defensive star at Cal where he helped the team win three straight national championships including an undefeated campaign in 1992.

With team USA, Arroyo had an 8-year run with the senior national team including two Olympic appearances in 1996 and 2000. He also helped the USA team win gold medals at the FINA world Cup in 2007 and 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games.

Arroyo also had an extensive 7-year professional career in Greece and Spain playing with Vouliagmeni, Glyfada, CN Barcelona, Olympiakos and CN Barceloneta.

Arroyo joined the Beach in 2006 as the men’s coach and is a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year, earning the award in 2007, 2012 and 2014.

With Arroyo at the helm, the Beach finished with a 22-7 overall record in 2014 to finish No. 4 in the nation, matching a program high.

In 2018, Arroyo guided the Beach to its first NCAA tournament in 27 years.

Arroyo took over the women’s program in 2009 and has split his time working with USA Water Polo and has been in charge of the men’s development and junior national teams for the past five years.

“Gavin had a very long and productive professional career in addition to being a two-time Olympian having won a World Cup,” Liz Grimes, LBSU Director of Operations for Men’s and Women’s Water Polo said. “It’s a rarity not only to play that long and play that well, but then to turn that knowledge and body of work into a coaching career that has now taken him to conference championships, the NCAA tournament, as well as the men’s national team and traveling to World Championships this last summer and winning at the Pan American games as a coach, it’s phenomenal.”

Joining Arroyo in the 2020 induction class is Kelly Rulon, Gary Robinett, Bruce Wigo and Elsie Windes.