By: Mohammad Najimi (@mnajimisjsu) – Spear Reporter | Current Spartans’ and alumnis all gather in the pool after their match on Saturday afternoon for a photo. (Photo by Mohammad Najimi – The Spear)
The San Jose State men’s water polo team defeated its alumni 14–11 in the program’s annual alumni game on Saturday afternoon, highlighting both the current team’s strength and the lasting connection among generations of Spartans.
The exhibition, played at the Spartan Recreation Aquatics Center, brought together current players and former standouts.
“It’s such a cool time to see our alumni, mostly recent alumni, and some of the older alumni that have played in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” SJSU head coach Gabor Sarusi said. “It’s almost like homecoming. We haven’t seen these guys in a few months or a few years. It’s very special.”
The 14–11 win capped off an afternoon that balanced competition with community, as alumni and current players exchanged laughs and memories before, during and after the match.
For former Spartan center Márk Kis, the game was both a reunion and a reflection of how far the program has come.
“It’s awesome to get back in the pool with some of the guys that I still play with,” Kis said. “It’s good to see that you leave a place and you find it better when you come back.”
Kis also noted how the current squad’s preparation and mentality stood out.
“It really sees the everyday grind that these guys are putting into it,” Kis said. “I watched the game before, the alumni game, and you can really see how the program has improved not just the physicality but also the mentality.”
Another former Spartan, driver Tyler Jamieson, who was one of the players when the team first started, said the event has become a personal tradition.
“It was great. I think I’ve only missed one of these the last couple of years,” Jamieson said. “When we first started, it was kind of ragtag, a bunch of J.C. transfers, a bunch of freshmen, just trying to figure it out. But we won a conference a couple years ago, and then this year, ranked in the top 10 for most of the season, so it was actually really cool to see.”
The alumni game once again showcased how the Spartans’ success in the pool continues to be matched by the strong bonds that extend well beyond graduation.
Their next game is a West Coast Conference match against No. 8 ranked Pepperdine at noon on Oct. 24 at the SRAC.
