In the fall of 1999, a few guys eventually collaborated an effort to get a GVSU Water Polo Club together. The organization was formed and then U of M's coach Scott Russell invited GVSU to play a couple B teams at the University of Michigan. GVSU ended the day losing to U of M-B and beating MSU-B, coached by future GVSU head coach Matt Skavnak.

An e-mail later that month to Matt Skavnak asking him if he wanted to be the head coach of a brand new program and a few phone meetings talking about the prospects of bringing him aboard and suddenly the Lakers had a qualified head coach to pour a good foundation for the program.

The team came together of mainly old West Michigan regional players, many of which were rivals in high school, but now enjoy each other as teammates.

A new page is now being written in Laker History. After several years of being a club, GVSU has strengthened their team to become a very talented team. After winning the Great Lakes Division in 2002, they went on to place 10th at the Colligiate Water Polo Association National Championships. After a great finish, Coach Skavnak decided to leave the club. He moved to Peoria, Illinois. He is now coaching a high school team there. He gave a much needed effort in finding a replacement. He picked Andy Jacobs, a former Teammate at Michigan State Univeristy, to take his place. This begins a new page in GVSU water polo history.