(LEBANON, Ill., August 31)—McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann announced on Monday that men's and women's water polo will become the newest sports programs to be offered by the University. According to Brueggemann, the water polo squads will become active programs for the 2016-17 academic year.
 
The Bearcats' water polo teams add to an already-impressive list of new and existing sports that will be prime tenants at the new McKendree Metro Rec Plex that will be constructed in O'Fallon. Earlier this summer, McKendree introduced new sports offerings for women's hockey along with men's and women's swimming and diving. All of the new programs will join the existing Bearcats' men's hockey team to be housed at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. The state-of-the-art complex will contain a full aquatic center for water sports, as well as two National Hockey League (NHL)-size sheets of ice, a fitness and training area along with other amenities. In addition, there will be dedicated locker rooms for each program along with office space for coaches and staff members. 
 
"We are proud to introduce another new sport to McKendree University that is gaining in popularity in our region," said Brueggemann. "The emergence of high school and club programs in the St. Louis area has made people take notice of its popularity. It was a natural choice for us to introduce water polo given not only the growth of the sport, but the first-class facility in the McKendree Metro Rec Plex that will house our new sports. At the same time we are excited to offer potential student-athletes another up-and-coming sport that is unique to McKendree."
 
Brueggemann also announced on Monday that Gregg Emde has been hired to coach the new McKendree water polo teams. Emde joins the McKendree family after holding the same position at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Emde led the men's team to a College Water Polo Association (CWPA) national championship last fall. Emde brings more than 20 years of playing and coaching experience to the pool for the Bearcats.
 
"We are thrilled to adding someone with Gregg Emde's credentials as the head coach of our new water polo teams," said Brueggemann. "Gregg is another coach who brings impressive credentials and lofty expectations as he gets set to build the Bearcats' program over the coming year. He only coached at Lindenwood for one season, but was able to come in and lead their men's program to a national championship by building on existing talent and using his coaching abilities to get the most out of his players. Gregg brings energy and passion for his sport, and knows what it takes to be successful in the pool. We cannot wait to see the results of his efforts when McKendree begins competition next year."
 
In his lone season at Lindenwood, Emde led the Lions' programs to a combined 39 victories in 2014-15. His men's squad dominated the competition at both ends of the pool as Lindenwood outscored its opponents by a margin of 421-134. After guiding the Lions through an unblemished regular-season schedule, Emde helped Lindenwood to three victories in the Missouri Valley Division championship and followed that with four wins at the CWPA Division I Collegiate National Championship held in Kearnes, Utah. For his efforts, Emde was named as the Missouri Valley Division Coach of the Year.
 
Emde also led the Lindenwood women's team to a strong start in 2015 as the squad reeled off wins in 11 of its first 12 contests. The Lions closed the year with a 15-4 overall record while going 6-1 in league competition.
 
Coaching success has not been limited to the collegiate ranks for Emde. He served as the head coach for the varsity water polo team at Marquette High School in St. Louis for 10 years and led the team to six conference finals and a pair of Missouri state final four appearances in 2002 and 2008. Emde also took the reins of the boy's and girl's swimming teams at Marquette from 2008-11.
 
In 2000, Emde founded Mad Dog Water Polo, a developmental club for players ranging in age from 8-18. Thanks in part to his leadership, the club has become one of the top programs throughout St. Louis and the Midwest region. McKendree will explore the possibility of adding a similar club program in partnership with the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
 
At the national level, Emde has served as a head coach for the Olympic Development Program since 2006, and earned the Ted Newland National Developmental Coach of the Year award from USA Water Polo in 2013. He has earned Level III coaching status and is a member of the Missouri Water Polo Board of Directors.
 
A native of St. Louis, Emde was a four-year varsity performer at Parkway West High School. He helped lead his team to a state championship as a senior and earned All-State honors for his efforts. In addition, Emde was a part of the Daisy Water Polo Club from 1983-85, and collected a Junior Olympic bronze medal in 1984. He went on to handle duties as a captain and head coach of the water polo programs at both Denison University and Ohio University. Emde earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio in 1990.
 
"This is an exciting time," said Emde. "It's exciting to be a part of a brand-new venture at McKendree and it's exciting that I will see and help this water polo program grow from day one. I'm thankful to (McKendree President) Dr. (James) Dennis, to Chuck Brueggemann and to the administration at McKendree for this opportunity. McKendree is a hidden gem and it reminds me of the same type of atmosphere I experienced in college. It will be a very busy time as we take our first steps and build two new teams, but it will be a chance to grow together and be a part of something very special. I cannot wait to step in and help make McKendree a known entity in the world of collegiate water polo."
 
With the addition of men's and women's water polo, McKendree now offers student-athletes a total of 34 intercollegiate sports.