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After playing his final game at Nationals last year, Josh Ahrendt knew that he would not play again for Grand Valley. He has been a cornerstone of Laker water polo since its first season in 2000 where he was asked to be the goalie on the new team. His playing career was over, but he was hoping to come back and help out as an assistant coach.
In the transient world of Collegiate Club Water Polo, next year is never a given. Head coach Andy Jacobs after leading the Laker's to their highest finish ever had to resign from his duties as head coach due to obligations with his career. Knowing that Grand Valley has a young and impressive squad from 2003 coming back to the Black and Blue, and a impressive crop of Freshman and first year players, the Laker's asked Josh to take over the reigns and add to the Laker's success.
"The decision for Josh to take his place was almost unanimous among team members. However, the University will not allocate funds as they usually do to pay for a coach, because Josh is a current student at GVSU. This means that the club has to raise funds, not only for the regular costs of the season, but for the coach as well. However, we are willing to incur such costs because we believe that Josh is the man for the job and was the best candidate for the job, since he has been with the club since day 1 of its existence," said Craig Hoogerwerf of the team's decision.
The Laker began practice under Ahrendt on Monday August 16th in preparation for the upcoming 2004 season.