Wade Recognized with USA Water Polo Coaching Award

IRVINE, Calif. - Austin College men's and women's water polo assistant coach Max Wade has been recognized by USA Water Polo as one of its 2025 Zone Award Winners, being honored with the Monte Nitzkowski Award for the Southwest region.

Wade, a former Austin College men's water polo standout, is in his first year as the program's assistant, and also serves as the assistant for the nationally-ranked women's water polo team. The Monte Nitzkowski Award is presented to one elite men's coach per zone, with Wade being singled out as this year's Southwest zone recipient. In his first season back at his alma mater, Wade helped coach the 'Roos to nine wins overall and a 5-3 mark in MPSF competition. He also helped coach two players, Jack Stack and Owen Altermatt, to All-America accolades, while four members of the team earned All-MPSF recognition.

The 2025 Zone Award winners, representing zones from all across the country, honor contributions in a variety of areas including coaching, officiating, volunteering, masters water polo, and more. The USA Water Polo National Award winners will come from this pool of zone award winners.