May 28, 2002
Los Angeles, CA (May 28, 2002) -- The Loyola Marymount University men's water polo program won its first Western Water Polo Association conference championship and advanced to its first NCAA Tournament in the 2001 season. The success, however, dates back to a traditionally rich pool of talent that now includes a brother duo that is making waves on the professional circuit.
LMU alumni Aaron (2001) and Ryan Eisberg (1998) finished their first season of playing professional water polo in Australia for the Wests Magpies. Earning the rare opportunity to play in the professional ranks, the Eisberg brothers made the most of it.
Aaron, playing at the driver/utility position was the Magpies third highest scorer in just his first year on the team. Both of them started for the squad throughout the majority of the season, contributing highly in both goals scored and assists made. While Aaron did the scoring, Ryan was feeding him the ball, ranking in the top three in assists and caused kickouts.
For the Eisberg's, the opportunity to play was even more of an accomplishment due to the limited number of openings there are to play at the next level.
"Europe and Australia are two of the few regions of the world that have professional water polo leagues" said Ryan, who became LMU's first All-American in the aquatics' program following the end of his four-year career in 1998. "Most of the leagues in these regions provide the opportunity for only a select few to travel overseas and play water polo because many of the leagues have rules that provide for only one or two foreign national players per team. This opportunity becomes even smaller when you consider that most players on the national teams, including the United States and Canada, travel internationally to participate in these leagues, limiting playing spots for individuals with only college and limited national team experience."
The Eisberg's experience at the college level was a positive one. Both were named LMU's student-athlete of the year, Ryan in the 1997-98 school year and Aaron in 2000-01. Ryan is the school's all-time leader in total points with 304 from 1994-97. Aaron ranked fourth with 66 career assists. While Ryan earned All-America honors, Aaron was the senior captain for the Lions in 2000, leading them to the highest finish in WWPA competition in school history, second place. In the process he was a first-team All-Conference selection.
Dating back to 1986, Ryan and Aaron were a part of the Lions' growth into a national power in men's water polo. The Lions won 52 games in Ryan's four years, bettered by only Aaron, who won 64. When Aaron finished the Eisberg's tenure at LMU, they had reached their highest national ranking in program history at number 12.
With the college experience in hand, both were invited to try out for the US National team on a few different occasions. Ryan was first invited after the '94-95 season, and then later both were invited to try out again after the 97-98 season.
"Unfortunately we fell a bit short on each account and it was at that point that we began to give consideration to playing water polo overseas," said Ryan
"After my graduation we decided that we should began to pursue opportunities in Australia," said Aaron. "We were fortunate enough to land contracts with a team in Sydney by November of 2001 for the 2002 Australian National League Season."
Each team in the "Australian National League" is allowed to list two foreign nationals on their playing roster. The league is a 12-team league, the brothers signed with the team based in the Sydney Suburbs.
"It is one of the oldest teams in the league and has had a proud tradition including numerous championships," said Ryan. "Recently the team had undergone a rebuilding process bringing up a number of young players to the national league team. We were brought over because of our experience and ability."
Some of the best players in the world participate in this league including Wests' team captain Nathan Thomas, who is regarded as the best Driver/Shooter in the world. Brad Schumaeker, an American who is on the US National Team also competed in the Australian league this year.
The season came to a close in 2002 with the Magpies posting a record of just 10-18. "It was a disappointment and the team's youthfulness showed at times," said Aaron.
"The season was an incredible opportunity, and a dream come true for each of us. Most water polo players in the States abruptly end their careers after college because, unless they make the US National program, there is not a great deal of opportunity to play in a highly organized or professional league," said Ryan. "Aaron and I have been fortunate to fall into the line of LMU student-athletes who have found an opportunity to continue their career in a professional league after their years at the University. With this experience we have helped to set ourselves up for another season in Australia if we decide to return. We have provided ourselves with a great deal of international experience which would aid us in a future try-out with the US National team."
