Pepperdine Makes A Splash In Beijing

I would be remiss as a fledgling Olympic commentator if I failed to mention the U.S. Men’s Water Polo team which has made an extraordinary run into the gold medal match Sunday against Hungary after a stunning 10-5 victory over Serbia.

I really know next-to-nothing about the sport (I’m sorry, but those little bonnets they wear are just so cute), but when a 9th-seeded team makes it to the final in any sport, it’s big news.

Hey, and how about this, albeit very loose, Church of Christ connection–the team is powered by several Pepperdine University players, including the keeper, Merrill Moses (notice the proper Biblical name), and coached by Pepperdine assistant and alumn, Terry Schroeder.

Speaking of which, I knew Pepperdine has a reputation for being a little “left coast” from the rest of the CoC colleges, but what’s this about Schroeder posing in the nude back in the 80s for a statue depicting the “perfect male physique” which was then place outside the L.A. Coliseum for the 1984 Games?

Sheez, The Waves really have wandered off the CoC reservation…

Long time readers know that I’m surely jesting…and perhaps a little jealous too.

UPDATE 8/24: The Americans come up short in the gold medal match v. Hungary. Still, nice run, uh, I mean swim, gentlemen.