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Phone: 570-577-1777
John Zeigler, a 1991 Bucknell graduate, has guided both the men's and women's water polo programs at Bucknell since 2000. The 2008 campaign will mark his ninth as head coach of the women's team. The head coach for all but one year of the women's program's existence, Zeigler owns a career record of 139-118, including 61-37 over the last three years. The Bison women's water polo program has experienced unprecedented success in the last few years, winning a program-record 23 games in both 2005 and 2006. The previous standard had been 18 in 2001. Under Zeigler's tutelage, Bucknell has gone to the Eastern Championship in each of the last six years, and seven of the last eight. In 2006, the squad finished fourth at the competitive event, marking the best showing in program history. In addition to the success at the Eastern Championship, the women's squad has shined at the Southern Championships, finishing third three times and second once in the last four years. Zeigler always develops a demanding schedule as the Bison faced 11 nationally ranked foes in 2007, while nine dotted the 2006 slate. In addition to instructing the women's team at Bucknell, Zeigler will complete the eighth year of his second stint as the men's coach in 2007. In his career as the head mentor of the men's program, Zeigler has compiled a 114-135 record, while taking his team to the Eastern Championship every season. Facing one of the most challenging schedules in the country, Zeigler has led the Bison to records of better than .500 two of the last three years. He also guided them to a No. 18 national ranking at the conclusion of the 2006 season, which featured a schedule littered with 15 ranked opponents. Bucknell was able to win 15 games against the demanding slate, marking the third-most during Zeigler's tenure. The 2004 campaign marked a renaissance of sorts for the Bison as they posted a 17-14 record against a challenging schedule that featured 16 nationally ranked foes. Included in that mix was defending national champion USC. Also in 2004, Bucknell climbed into the national rankings for the first time since 2001. The Bison remained in the top 20 for six weeks and climbed as high as 17th in the country. Zeigler continued to challenge his team in 2005 as Bucknell faced 17 more nationally ranked opponents and earned its best finish at the Eastern Championship (fourth) since 1998. As a member of the Bison men's water polo team at Bucknell from 1987-90, Zeigler was a two-year starter and four-year letterman. He finished third on the team in scoring as a senior with 30 goals and 34 assists, and recorded career totals of 82 goals and 89 assists. Zeigler also won the 1990 Scott Schulte Award, which is presented annually to "the individual who contributes most to Bucknell water polo." As a swimmer, Zeigler placed in the top 10 in four events at the inaugural Patriot League Swimming Championships in 1991, helping Bucknell to a third-place finish. He became the first Bison to captain both the swimming and water polo teams since 1985 and was one of the few multi-year captains for the water polo program, serving as captain in both his junior and senior campaigns. During his senior season, Zeigler was the recipient of the Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award, which is presented in recognition of demonstrated improvement and special contributions to Bucknell athletics over a four-year period. In 2004, Zeigler began serving on three prestigious committees He serves on the NCAA Division I Men's Championship Committee, the NCAA Men's and Women's Rules Committees and the Collegiate Water Polo Association Board of Directors. The CWPA Board of Directors serves as the governing body for the conference, making all decisions in accordance to the by-laws already established. For 2007, Zeigler has been named Chair of both the Men's Championship and Rules Committees. Zeigler and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Laura, 4, and Larissa, 2. The family resides in Lewisburg. |
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