Mountain Pacific Sports Federation

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has announced the addition of the NCAA Division-III Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins University Men’s Water Polo teams to the conference, beginning with the upcoming 2025 season. Located in New London, Connecticut and primarily affiliated with the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), the Camels’ Men’s Water Polo program enters the MPSF from the Northeast Water Polo Conference. JHU is located in Baltimore, Maryland, with its primary athletics’ department being the Centennial Conference. The Blue Jays’ Men’s Water Polo program previously competed in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference. In 2024, both the Blue Jays (12) and Camels (7) posted their most single season wins since 2017. Both universities will be featured in the MPSF for the first time amongst all sports.
 
"The MPSF, the premier water polo conference in the country, is run by professionals who are deeply invested in the growth of water polo, particularly at the Division-III level,” said Connecticut College Athletic Director Mo White. “Joining the MPSF will enhance our visibility, improve the student-athlete experience, and increase our competitive success. The transition is a critical step for our program's long-term growth and national recognition."
 
Johns Hopkins Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Director of Athletics & Recreation Jennifer S. Baker added, “We are thrilled to be joining the MPSF, and are grateful to [MPSF Commissioner] Foti Mellis and his team for welcoming Johns Hopkins Water Polo.  The conference’s commitment to excellence is evident in everything it does, and we are excited for our players to have access to championships, while competing against some of the best teams in the country. The MPSF continues to elevate the sport of water polo nationally, and we believe our program will thrive as its newest member.”
 
Matt Anderson has been the head coach for both the men and women of Connecticut College for 11 years, and has previously been recognized as an Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Division-III National Coach of the Year.  
 
"We are looking forward to being part of a D-III Division,” Anderson said. “It has worked well on the women’s side and now it will work well on the men’s side, where 90 percent of your games are going to be against peer competition. We have traveled to play these teams, but it was always non-conference, so it makes sense to make it a league competition. The kids are excited. It’s going to be good for ourselves and good for the MPSF to have this union."
 
Johns Hopkins is coached by Max Schlegel, who enters his seventh-year at the helm, and has been on staff since 2016.
 
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the MPSF and the experiences it can provide for our players,” said Schlegel. “Johns Hopkins University Athletics prides itself on student experience and with this change, I believe our water polo program is taking a big step forward in that regard.”
 
The 2025 MPSF Men’s Water Polo season will feature 11 teams. California, Stanford, UCLA, and USC compete in the western division, while Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins join Augustana, Austin College, Penn State Behrend, Washington & Jefferson and Wheaton in the eastern division. The 2025 conference championship, which will be in its fourth-year of crowning a champion for two divisions, will be held at Stanford’s Avery Aquatics Center (Nov. 21-23).
 
Since the hiring of Mellis in 2021, the conference has added 58 teams, 30 schools, and six sports. 
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins University to the MPSF family," said Mellis. “Their rich history of excellence in Division-III men's water polo will bring new energy and competition to our conference, and we look forward to the exciting matchups ahead. Together, we continue to elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes.”
 
The MPSF has captured all 33 NCAA D-I Championships in men’s water polo since its inaugural season of 1992.   The conference enters the 2025-26 year with 121 total national championships, including four during 2024-25, with its 113 NCAA titles leading the nation amongst Non-Power Four Conferences.