THE CROWD: Event honors water polo coaches, athletes

Nowhere in California or elsewhere within the U.S. border does a certain sport captivate and inspire as water polo does in Newport-Mesa.

Since the construction of Newport Harbor High School nearly three quarters of a century ago, aquatic sports have been a dominant part of both the athletic education of young participants. It has also been a social rallying point for adults sponsoring and cheering on the young competitors.

One man in the Newport-Mesa community is synonymous with the sport of water polo and aquatics in general. He is Coach Bill Barnett, the beacon of aquatic sports for countless students for 40 years.

Many of Barnett’s students have gone on to play water polo in college. Some students have even pursued aquatics as a career, playing water polo on both national and international teams and moving from amateur to professional status.

Barnett has been recognized on the international level as one of its pre-eminent leaders and has been called upon to coach U.S. Olympians.

More than 250 Newport-Mesa residents of many generations came together last Saturday evening at the American Legion Hall on the Newport Harbor to honor the aquatic standard of excellence in Newport Beach. Residents also united to pay tribute to Barnett and honor coach Ted Newland, who is responsible for starting water polo at Newport Harbor.

Devoted citizen Anne Berger scanned, enlarged and printed every water polo and swimming portion of each NHHS yearbook since 1930 and decorated the American Legion Hall for the crowd to reminisce.

The social tribute to Barnett and Newland actually began at a Saturday afternoon water polo match at Newport Harbor with the current squad playing Tustin’s foothill team in a tough competition, with Newport eventually winning by one goal. Attendance at the game exceeded 400 people — mostly alumni — and was one of the largest crowds to attend a water polo match at Newport.

In addition to the game excitement, the unveiling of a new jumbo scoreboard brought raves from the crowd and was rededicated as the Patrick Sweeney Memorial Scoreboard. The Sweeney family was front-and-center for the unveiling. They offered an emotional connection to those in attendance who remembered fondly father Patrick Sweeney and his enthusiastic support of not only his children, but all children participating in both water polo and swim team.

Patrick Sweeney died unexpectedly at the age of 42.

The evening at the American Legion brought together many friends who had lost connection. The theme of the event was “It All Started Here.” Enjoying cocktail conversation on the waterfront terrace were Kent and Mary Pat Lucas; Richard and Esther Brown; Sheryl and Dave Ball; Annette and Tim Tauber; Gay and Chip Butera;Stephanie and Randy Parole with their daughter Ashley, a former Newport Harbor water polo player; Virginia and Sam Osache; former swim coach Bill Jewell; and John Dobrott.

Also in the crowd were Robert Searles, former water polo player and prominent real estate developer; the Belden family, including Claire and Dwight and daughter Anne, a former Newport Harbor star and presently a member of the UCLA women’s water polo team. Another former Newport Harbor female standout alumni player — Jenna Murphy, also a UCLA alumna — was in the crowd.

A host of Olympian players including silver medalists Kevin Robertson and James Bergeson and Eric Lindroth turned out for Barnett. Another of Newport’s respected coaches, Jason Lynch, was also front-and-center at the lively evening, which was emceed by Ken South.

The event was chaired by Laura Russell and Annette Tauber, who did a spectacular. Dinner was served by Cynthia’s on the Bay Catering, which served the perfect end-of-summer dinner of Santa Maria barbecued tri-tip.

Toasts were made to the past, present and future success of Newport aquatics and tributes flowed in particular to Newland and Barnett.

The emotional and warm gathering recognized a unique and celebrated lifestyle on the Southern California coast and an aquatics program that has been emulated all across America.