Heather Moody, the Idaho-born Long Beacher who won Olympic water polomedals in 2000 and 2004, has announced that she is stepping down as the Assistant Coach of the USA Women’s Senior National Team as well as Head Coach for the USA Women’s Junior National Team.
Her commitment to both teams has been discontinued in order for her to pursue a position as Performance Director for the American River Water Polo Club of Sacramento.
“It was a very hard decision to make,” said Moody in a public statement. “USA Water Polo has given me so much as a player and as a coach. I will really miss working with the athletes and staff that I have been with over the last 15 years plus.”
A USA Water Polo Hall of Famer as well as a Long Beach State coach, Moody has helped the USA Olympic teams score medals in both 2008 in Beijing and at the 2012 games in London, which earned the USA their first gold.
“It’s hard to put into words what Heather has meant to the USA Women’s National Team during the last 15 years,” said Adam Krikorian, USA Women’s National Team Head Coach. “She has a resume that is unmatched after having competed at the highest level as an athlete, an assistant coach, and a head coach. More important than her resume, Heather is in it for all the right reasons and is a tremendous asset for our young athletes and coaches. I personally can’t thank her enough for all that she did for our team over the last three years. American River WPC is fortunate to have her and I know she will do great things for them and for the sport of water polo in our country.”
Read more: