It is an exciting Summer for Long Beach City College (LBCC) Vikings Water Polo Head Coach Chris Oeding, who was first inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame on June 7, and will now head to Paris for his third trip to the Olympics as a coach.
Since 2000, Oeding has served as head coach for the LBCC water polo and swimming programs, leading them to six state championships. In 2013, he joined the staff of the US women’s national team as an assistant coach, a role he has served in for five World Championships.
“U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame Coach Chris Oeding is a water polo superstar who exemplifies the exceptional quality of our LBCC faculty, from sports to STEM,” said LBCC Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “A two-time Olympian and one of the greatest water polo coaches in a region steeped in tradition, Chris has guided hundreds, if not thousands, of our students into becoming better athletes and people. We here at LBCC we are incredibly proud to see Coach Oeding share his talents with Team USA and represent not only the excellence of U.S. athletics, but the excellence of Long Beach City College.”
“We are thrilled to wish Coach Oeding the best of luck as he once again represents LBCC on the world stage at the Paris Olympics,” said Vivian Malauulu, LBCC Board of Trustees President. “His dedication and talent inspire our entire community, showcasing the remarkable achievements and spirit of our Viking family.”
“I am truly honored, grateful and humbled to be inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame,” said Coach Oeding. “Honored to be recognized. Grateful to all my coaches and teammates who I feel I share this distinction with. And, humbled to be a part of this class and those who came before us.”
As a player, Oeding was named the 1988 CIF Player of the Year at Corona del Mar High School, where he was also a three-time All-American and led his team to two CIF Championships. He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he helped the Golden Bears win three consecutive NCAA Championships and shared Player of the Year honors in 1992.
Oeding was selected for the USA junior national teams in 1989 and 1991, which led to a seven-year stint on the US men’s national team. During this time, he competed in two Olympic Games (1996 and 2000) and captained the gold medal-winning team in Athens, Greece.
Oeding left for Paris on July 20 for what he hopes to be a more spirited Olympic games than the previous two for which he coached. Rio in 2016 was marked by concerns over Zika virus and in 2020/21 the COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of competition.
For more information about Chris and his journey to the Paris Olympics, stay tuned to LBCCVikings.com.
