Former assistant coach Todd Clapper will lead the ASU women's water polo team this year following the sudden departure of Vicki Gorman prior to last season's champtionship.
"I think that this is the place to be," Clapper said. "It's got a lot of support, we've got great facilities, and we've got a great group to start with here."
Clapper served as the interim coach for ASU over the summer following Gorman's departure.
An athletic department spokesman said that Gorman resigned to pursue other opportunities.
Clapper, a coach with high expectations, is ready for the season to start.
"It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I think that we can be top 10 in the national rankings," Clapper said.
Clapper brings with him experience not only as a coach but also as a player.
A native of Hollidaysburg, Pa., Clapper graduated in 1997 from Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pa.
At Slippery Rock, he was a four-year letter winner and team captain his senior season. As a walk-on, Clapper knows all about hard work.
"I think it's the same type of attitude I try to instill in them and bring to coaching," Clapper said. "Were going to put more energy into everything we do because that is what is going to make us better."
Clapper graduated with a degree in exercise science with an aquatic emphasis. He also minored in adapted physical activity and rehabilitation.
Following college, Clapper broke into the coaching ranks at Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Pa.
A year later, Clapper moved up to Brown University in Providence, R.I. At Brown he led both the men's and women's water polo teams for five-and-a-half years.
"It was kind of a place where I was able, in that conference, to grow as a coach," Clapper said.
At Brown, Clapper gathered many coaching accolades. He capped off his tenure at the school being named Northeastern Coach of the Year.
Clapper headed west and joined the Sun Devils last year as an assistant in charge of defense and goal keeping.
Last year, under Clapper's guidance, true freshman goalie Caylinn Wallace was named to the MPSF All-Freshman Team.
"He's a fun guy that will make you work hard and tries to get everything out of all his players," Wallace said.
This year it will strictly be up to Clapper to lead the team. Wallace said she expected to see more success under Clapper's guidance.
"We expect to be top 10," Wallace said. "We're looking forward to beating a lot of the teams that we should have beaten last year."
Reach the reporter at william.hayes@asu.edu.
