Air Force Athletics Dedicates the Heidmous Pool
10/8/2022 1:20:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. — Prior to the Falcons' water polo match against UC Davis, Oct. 8, Air Force Athletics held a dedication ceremony to name the water polo pool after longtime and historic former head coach Jeff Heidmous. A $1 million donation to the Falcon Athletic Fund and Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation in support of the Academy's water polo program will help transform the water polo locker room and team area, while providing increased support to the program.
Dr. Brian Groat, a 1997 USAFA graduate and former Air Force water polo cadet-athlete, and his wife, Kate, have made the transformational investment in the program — the largest ever donated in support of Falcon water polo — in honor of Coach Heidmous and his long-time impact on the lives of cadets and the Falcon water polo program.
Heidmous, a 1977 USAFA graduate, retired from the Air Force Academy in 2018 and is the most successful water polo coach in program history. Heidmous coached the Falcons for 25 seasons, leading the team to three conference championships, five NCAA appearances and more than 300 wins. During his 25 seasons, he led the Falcons to a 328-327-1 overall record. He was named the WWPA Coach of the Year three times (1990, 1994 and 2012). Twenty-three of his 25 teams finished the season nationally ranked in the top 20, including 16 top-15 rankings and five top-10 finishes.
"This gift will allow us to significantly enhance the experience of our cadet athletes through a renovation of our water polo locker room and team area," said Director of Athletics Nathan Pine. "We cannot thank Brian and Kate enough for their leadership in making this important gift. The opportunity to improve our facility, while honoring an Air Force legend, Coach Jeff Heidmous, will inspire others to invest in the success of our cadet-athletes and athletic department."
"Coach Heidmous was instrumental in my success at the Academy and beyond," Groat said. "Playing college water polo was a dream of mine, and as a coach and mentor, he helped instill the work ethic and dedication required to excel in and out of the pool. I am grateful to be able to make an impact in supporting our water polo team, the cadet-athletes, and the Academy while celebrating Coach Heidmous' legacy here."
"I want to thank Brian and Kate Groat for their generous donation to Air Force water polo," said Heidmous. "It is humbling to have the Water Polo Pool renamed as the Heidmous Pool. My career was built upon 47-years (1972-2018) of Heidmous family contributions to Air Force water polo. So, for me, "Heidmous Pool" includes my parents, brothers, wife and children; plus, all the coaches, teammates, players, faculty representatives, and athletic department co-workers who are like family to us and also have a large share in this family legacy. No man is an island. This renaming is in recognition for five decades of contributions by so many people."
The naming recognition for Coach Heidmous is currently on display within the water polo practice facility and construction on the locker room and team area will begin in the coming months upon finalization of design.
To learn more and support Air Force Athletics, visit www.falconathleticfund.com
Dr. Brian Groat, a 1997 USAFA graduate and former Air Force water polo cadet-athlete, and his wife, Kate, have made the transformational investment in the program — the largest ever donated in support of Falcon water polo — in honor of Coach Heidmous and his long-time impact on the lives of cadets and the Falcon water polo program.
Heidmous, a 1977 USAFA graduate, retired from the Air Force Academy in 2018 and is the most successful water polo coach in program history. Heidmous coached the Falcons for 25 seasons, leading the team to three conference championships, five NCAA appearances and more than 300 wins. During his 25 seasons, he led the Falcons to a 328-327-1 overall record. He was named the WWPA Coach of the Year three times (1990, 1994 and 2012). Twenty-three of his 25 teams finished the season nationally ranked in the top 20, including 16 top-15 rankings and five top-10 finishes.
"This gift will allow us to significantly enhance the experience of our cadet athletes through a renovation of our water polo locker room and team area," said Director of Athletics Nathan Pine. "We cannot thank Brian and Kate enough for their leadership in making this important gift. The opportunity to improve our facility, while honoring an Air Force legend, Coach Jeff Heidmous, will inspire others to invest in the success of our cadet-athletes and athletic department."
"Coach Heidmous was instrumental in my success at the Academy and beyond," Groat said. "Playing college water polo was a dream of mine, and as a coach and mentor, he helped instill the work ethic and dedication required to excel in and out of the pool. I am grateful to be able to make an impact in supporting our water polo team, the cadet-athletes, and the Academy while celebrating Coach Heidmous' legacy here."
"I want to thank Brian and Kate Groat for their generous donation to Air Force water polo," said Heidmous. "It is humbling to have the Water Polo Pool renamed as the Heidmous Pool. My career was built upon 47-years (1972-2018) of Heidmous family contributions to Air Force water polo. So, for me, "Heidmous Pool" includes my parents, brothers, wife and children; plus, all the coaches, teammates, players, faculty representatives, and athletic department co-workers who are like family to us and also have a large share in this family legacy. No man is an island. This renaming is in recognition for five decades of contributions by so many people."
The naming recognition for Coach Heidmous is currently on display within the water polo practice facility and construction on the locker room and team area will begin in the coming months upon finalization of design.
To learn more and support Air Force Athletics, visit www.falconathleticfund.com
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