Story from the Glendale News-Press
Wednesday, August 23, 2000


Lancaster named new Nitro coach
Glendale boys' water polo team hires former boss to take over program.
By HAMLET NALBANDYAN

GLENDALE HIGH -- Pat Lancaster stopped coaching high school boys' water polo five years ago, but Glendale High gave him an offer that he couldn't pass up. Lancaster has been named the new coach of the Nitro program after Carol Driffill stepped down and co-coach Alfred Tamazyan wasn't able take over the duties.

"We're very excited to have him," co-Athletic Director Bob Davidson said. The 42 year-old was given the job in mid-August. He last coached at Glendale from 1990 to 1994, but stopped because he had other commitments. Lancaster still has those same commitments as he is the advisor to the Glendale High newspaper and yearbook. But having the chance to coach one of the best Nitro teams in recent memory was something Lancaster couldn't pass up, even with his busy schedule. "I'm happy to be back," said Lancaster. "It looks like we're going to have a pretty good team, and I'm excited about it." Lancaster -- who has been a teacher at Glendale since 1990 -- said he plans to coach the team just for one year.

"Glendale needs a long-term guy, and my schedule just doesn't allow me to do that," he said. "The reason I stopped coaching is because I couldn't do to the level that I would like to. I didn't just want to be a body on the pool deck. The kids deserve more." Glendale finished 9-15 overall but was 4-3 in the Pacific League to tie for second place with Pasadena High. The Nitros were ousted in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs by Mira Costa High, 11-3.

The Nitros -- who have made the CIF playoffs every year since 1992 -- have the potential to have a successful season. They return three All-CIF Division III players in senior drivers Alex Lim and Zareh Galstyan and junior hole/set Matt Hahn. Also, first team all-league goalie Sasoon Haghverdi returns for his senior season. "Our goal is to make the playoffs and try to make noise," Lancaster said. "The tough teams in league are going to be CV and Pasadena. Those are going to be the big games for us."

Despite having a rich history in water polo, Glendale has just won three league titles during its 39-year history. Those titles came in 1964 and 1979 in the Foothill League and Glendale shared the Pacific League title with Crescenta Valley in 1998. Lancaster started his coaching career in 1980, coaching Pasadena High. He moved on to become an assistant coach at Muir High -- his alma mater -- in 1986. Lancaster then coached the Bulldogs again for one year in 1989, before coming over to Glendale. Lancaster played college water polo at Cal State L.A., where he was a teammate with former CV Coach Pete Loporchio in 1979.