Pardon Named First Wittenberg Women's Water Polo Coach

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg athletics has announced the hiring of Sivan Pardon as the school's first head Women's Water Polo coach. Wittenberg's women's water polo program will be the 18^th in Division III of the NCAA, as the team will compete in the spring with the Collegiate Water Polo Association championships held in April.

"Sivan is a terrific hire for us.  I could not be more pleased to have a person of her character, work ethic and passion for her craft be the first coach for our women's water polo program. I am also extremely excited for the support she will also bring our men's and women's swim & dive program as well," said Director of Athletics Dr. Gary Williams.

"Wittenberg student-athletes will be better and we will all benefit as a University and athletic department because of Sivan's presence and spirit on our campus."

Pardon, a California native, comes to Wittenberg with a decorated background in the sport. After completing a successful playing career at the University of Hawaii, which included a fourth place finish nationally at the NCAA Championship, Pardon stepped into a role as a fifth year assistant at Hawaii in 2012.

After returning to the mainland in 2014, Pardon served as the head women's coach for Offshore Water Polo Club and Trojan Water Polo Club. Pardon also earned valuable experience at the high school level, serving as an assistant to the men's and women's water polo programs at Mira Costa High School, in Manhattan Beach, California.

As a club coach, Pardon led her squad to a second place finish at the 2014 Junior Olympics, and also guided the Mira Costa High School boy's and girl's programs to Bay League first place and second place finishes.

"I am very excited to become a part of the Wittenberg community. I'd like to thank Dr. Gary Williams, Sarah Jurewicz, and the entire search committee for this amazing opportunity. It is truly an honor to be a part of such a unique experience as the program enters its first year, becoming the 25^th sport offered at Wittenberg, and the first varsity level college program in the region. I look forward to this collaborative effort in creating this new opportunity for student-athletes," said Pardon.

Pardon will also serve on Coach Will Bernhardt's swimming and diving staff as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs.