GEORGE NEWLAND

Steve Virgen

When George Newland grew up, he was surrounded by water polo. It was

his world.

Instead of cartoons and toys, Newland had water polo balls and

Olympic athletes to entertain him as a child. From diapers to age 9,

he watched. It was only a matter of time before he would get in the

water and play the game.

When Newland was 10, he played water polo, the sport that was

highly regarded in his family.

Newland’s father, Ted, coached men’s water polo at UC Irvine

during George’s childhood and reached legendary status. Ted Newland

also coached at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools.

George Newland played for the Sailors during his prep days.

“As I look back, I feel fortunate; I always had a good

relationship with my father,” said George, who played for his father

at UCI. “I feel honored that I had the opportunity to play for him.

For me, it was a real precious time. I wouldn’t want to do anything

else. I wish I had four more years of eligibility to play for the old

man again.”

The younger Newland described himself as a role player, but he

also took pride in his work ethic. The time and effort he put in

would usually result in success. In his senior year, 1975-76, he

helped lead Newport Harbor to a CIF Southern Section Division 4-A

championship.

Then, he went on to play for the Anteaters and became more known

as the coach’s son, a title that challenged him.

“I realized that there were responsibilities that came with

playing for my father,” George said. “Everyone looked at me a little

closer because some people said, ‘Oh he plays a lot because his

father is the coach.’ I worked hard so I could earn the respect of

the players I played with and that was important to me.”

Newland said it also helped that the Anteaters were winning. UCI

finished with a top-three national ranking in each of Newland’s four

competitive seasons. He redshirted one season.

He earned All-American and first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic

Association recognition in 1980, when UCI earned a No. 3 ranking. He

was also named the Anteaters’ Student-Athlete of the Year in 1980-81.

“I came in at a time when it was good,” he said. “I started all

four years and played every minute of every game, unless I fouled

out.”

After UCI, Newland competed for the U.S. national team from

1982-85. Through it all, he kept in mind what he learned from his

father, who had a huge impact on his only son’s life.

“I’m different from my father, he would be the first one to tell

you that,” said Newland, who was recently inducted into UCI’s Hall of

Fame, which also includes his father. “I think any person would tell

you they got a lot from being in his program, and I went through with

it more than anyone.”

Newland, the latest honoree of the Daily Pilot Sports Hall of

Fame, has seven children and lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife

Sally. He is a hotel general manager.

Newland’s son, Ty, plays at Orange Coast College and is hoping to

transfer to UCI.