Former Olympian Kerr, a UCI product, to speak

Former UC Irvine men’s water polo standout Genai Kerr, the first African American to represent the United States in the sport at the Olympics, will speak at 10 a.m. Friday at the Newport Sports Museum.

Kerr, a former boys’ water polo coach at Sage Hill School, will speak to third-grade students from a Long Beach elementary school about sports participation and the importance of education and wellness.

Kerr, a goalie on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, is an ambassador to the World Anti-Doping Agency, which monitors the fight against doping in sport.

“I am happy to support the Newport Sports Museum in its efforts to help young people empower themselves through athletics and positive goals,” Kerr said. “By sharing my sports and Olympic experiences, I hope to motivate students to not only improve their minds and bodies, but also to think about life choices carefully.”

After graduating from UCI in 2000, Kerr helped Team USA win gold medals at the Pan American Games in 2003 and 2007. He has competed on six continents.

— From staff reports