Coach Biographies

Alex Rodriguez - Head Coach (Rodriguez@foothillwaterpolo.com)

Alex Rodriguez is currently Head Coach of Pomona-Pitzer College Men's and Women's Water Polo.  Prior to his position with Pomona-Pitzer, he was at Pepperdine University, where he served as Assistant Coach for the Men's Water Polo program since 2002.  Rodriguez is a former All-American player at Pepperdine and was a member of the Waves' National Championship team in 1997.  In addition to his duties as Assistant Coach, Rodriguez was the Head Coach and co-owner of the Pepperdine Waves Water Polo Club.  In 2005 his "18 and Under" boy's team won the Junior Olympic Championship.  Rodriguez has also been the Head Coach of the men's Coastal California National Team in Premier League, with players coming from UCLA, Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount University, and UC Santa Barbara.  In 2007 Coach Rodriguez was inducted into Pepperdine's Athletic Hall of Fame for outstanding athletic achievement while a player at the University.  In 2008 Coach Rodriguez was elected Division III College Coach of the Year.

Coach Rodriguez was the Head Coach of the boy's water polo team at Bonita High School in 2001, guiding his team to the CIF Southern Section Championship.  He was named the CIF and Los Angeles Times' Inland Valley Coach of the Year in 2001.  For five years he served as the Bonita High School girl's water polo Head Coach, where in 2003 he was named CIF and Daily Bulletin Coach of the Year.  Coach Rodriguez earned his Bachelor's Degree in History from Pepperdine University and is currently completing his Master's Degree in Physical Education.

John Ashby - Head Coach/Youth Director (Ashby@foothillwaterpolo.com)

(Head Coach - Youth Director) John Ashby is currently a high school Head Coach and a Spanish teacher.  His high school boys have won a CIF Southern Section Championship in 2005, and have been to the CIF Quarterfinals the past two years.  His high school girls were in the CIF Semifinals in 2006.  In 2005 he was named Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year and CIF Boys Coach of the Year.  In 2007 he was named San Gabriel Valley Girls Coach of the Year. Previously he coached with Alex Rodriguez and Jack Kocur at the Waves Water Polo Club in Thousand Oaks.

John Ashby played on the Pepperdine University water polo team from 1999-2003. He graduated from The Bishop’s School in La Jolla where he was a Prep All-American and 1st Team All-CIF selection, winning a CIF Championship in 1998 and runner-up in 1999.  He was also named “Scholar-Athlete of the Week” multiple times by the San Diego Union-Tribune. 

Coach Ashby graduated from Pepperdine University with a B.A. in Spanish and a B.A. in Public Relations.  He will complete his M.Ed. in Cross-Cultural Teaching from National University in 2008.  He currently resides with his wife Jorgelina and daughter Kaylee in La Verne.

 Foothill Club Coaching
12U Boys, 5th place      – 2007 USA Junior Olympics
12U Boys, 2nd Place    – 2007 CCA Junior Olympic Qualifications

 
Coach Kristin McKown (McKown@foothillwaterpolo.com)

EXPERIENCE

Foothill Club:  (2005 to Present)
Former Head Coach- Girl’s 18 & Under Team
Qualified FHWPC 1st 18 & under girls team for Junior Olympics
Former Head Coach- 16 & under Girl’s Water Polo
Current Head Coach- 10 &14 under Teams  
Designed and prepared practice, team tactics and training for program
Motivate athletes to apply to four-year college and provided steps to do so


SCAF Water Polo Officials:  (2005-Present)
Referee
Controlling and maintaining the intensity of play during and after the game
USA Water Polo:  (2006)
Tournament Director, Junior Olympics
Prepared and coordinated 11 pools and 165 teams
Directed sites throughout tournament
Bonita High School:  (2004-2006)
Head Junior Varsity Coach- Girl’s Water Polo
Designed and prepared practice, team tactics and training for program
Bonita JV were undefeated League Champions
Etiwanda High School:  (2005)
Head Junior Varsity Coach- Boy’s Water Polo
Designed and prepared practice, team tactics and training for program
City of La Verne Youth Water Polo:  (2000)
Head Volunteer Coach- 12 & under girls coach
Designed and prepared practice, team tactics and training for program
University of La Verne:  (2007- Current)
Assitant Women’s Water Polo Coach/ Team Manager 
Assists in designing and preparing practices, team tactics and training programs. 
Scouts and recruits players for women’s team

EDUCATION

University of La Verne:

  

  
  
B.A. in Biology, & Senior Research in Immunology

Coach Alex La (La@foothillwaterpolo.com)

 Coach Alex La graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in San Jose.  While in high school he played 4 years of Water Polo.  During that time he earned All League recognition his sophomore, junior, and senior years.  He went on to play 2 years at De Anza Junior College, where he was named Team Captain and earned All-Conference Honors both years.  At this time he also swam competitively with the West Coast Aquatics Club Team in San Jose, CA,  and competed in the 20 and under Nationals, where he earned 2nd Team All-American Honors.

After moving to Southern California, Coach La played two years on the men’s water polo team at the University of La Verne.  He was nominated Team Captain his senior year and earned All-Conference SCIAC Player.   After graduating from the University of La Verne with a degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Business, he went on to become the Assistant Coach of the men’s water polo team at La Verne.  Coach La is a USWP certified Referee and has officiated water polo games at CIF quarterfinals, men’s masters, and Junior Olympics.  In 2007 he was hired as the interim men’s Head Coach at La Verne. 

Coach La joined Foothill Water Polo Club in 2006.  He has coached teams from 12, 16 & 18 age groups.  Coach La resides in Rancho Cucamonga and enjoys eating sushi and watching movies during his spare time. 

Lucas@foothillwaterpolo.com

Coach Allison Lucas

Varsity Goalkeeper Upland High School 2000-2004

Swam Competitively Upland High School 2000-2003

Baseline League Champions Upland High School 2000-2004

CIF Division Champions Upland High School 2003 & 2004

Goalkeeper Mount San Antonio College 2007

Second in State for Saves during regular season Mount San Antonio College 2007

Second Team All Conference Mount San Antonio College 2007

Coaching Experience:
Upland High School Summer Program 2004, 2005
Foothill Water Polo founding coaches 2005 - Current
Coaches 14 and under Boys and Girls

Referee:
SCAF Certified Referee 2004 - Current
Junior Olympic assignments 2006
International assignment (Canada) 2007

Education:
Graduated Upland High School 2004
Cal Poly Pomona

B.A. in Biology

Loma Linda University

Currently pursuing a degree in Nursing

Coach Julia Fancher (Fancher@foothillwaterpolo.com)

 Coach Julia Fancher graduated from Bonita High School in La Verne in 2005.  While in high school she played 4 years of water polo.  Julia was nominated Team Captain her junior and senior years.  She was voted Miramonte League MVP three consecutive years and 2005 Division III Player of the Year.  In 2004 she earned a spot on the US Water Polo Youth National Team. 

Julia is currently Team Captain of Division I University of California Irvine’s Water Polo Team.  http://ucirvinesports.cstv.com/sports/w-wpolo/.  She is a starting two-meter defender and ranks 7th on UCI’s all-time scoring list.

Coach Julia began coaching for the Foothill Club in 2006.   She coaches the 18 and under girls teams.  Julia’s experience as a player and Team Captain have developed her into a formidable coach.  She strives to challenge all of her players and has learned to bring out their personal best from each committed athlete.   

Coach Jim Armstrong

 
Education:

Graduated from Barrington University in Ames, IA with a B.A., Business Administration

Coaching Experience:

1995–Present           Pomona-Pitzer Colleges          Claremont, CA

Assistant Men’s Water Polo Coach

  • Qualified for WWPA Tournament, 1998
  • First wins over CMS since ’81 in 1998 and 2000
  • Installed new defensive approach
  • 7 Wins over NCAA Top 20 Teams
  • Mark Cavagnolo 2000, Rich Won 1995 Division III All-America First Team

 

1989–1994               EAST Water Polo Club            Orange County, CA

  • 3 Final Fours National Junior Olympics
  • 2 Finals appearances Hawaiian Invitational
  • Coached 31 players that went on to play D1 Water Polo.

 

1983, 87–1994         Brea Olinda High School         Brea, CA

  • Water Polo &  Swimming  Coach
  • 12 Orange League Championships.
  • CIF Southern Section Swimming Champions 1988
  • 8 undefeated league seasons