Girls' Water Polo

The longtime Fenwick coach will come out of retirement to lead the girls’ water polo program.

Fenwick High School announced that retired coach Jack Wagner will return to coach the varsity girls’ water polo team this season. He retired in 2020 after more than 25 years at Fenwick, winning 10 state titles with the Friars.

 

“Fenwick has played a huge part in my life and I'm looking forward to hopefully bringing back some success,” said Wagner, who surpassed 600 victories with the Fenwick program in 2019. Founder of Windy City Water Polo (previously known as the Chicago Polar Bears), he also served as a USA Water Polo Midwest Zone Coach and was the assistant coach for Indiana University’s Women’s Division I team.

 

Father of Fenwick graduate John ‘20, Wagner calls his years coaching the Friars “the best job I’ve ever had.” Highlights of his 26-season career include three consecutive state titles from 2004 to 2006 and recording less than 100 losses between 2000 and 2017.

“Jack has built a career of achievements that spans decades,” Fenwick Aquatics Director Beto Garcia said. “He not only transformed teams, but also shaped the lives of countless athletes who have gone on to achieve greatness in and out of the pool.”

 

Athletic Director Scott Thies ‘99 called Wagner an “all-time great,” known for “building teams, setting high expectations and getting everyone to bring their best every day.”