Paul Macht is entering his second season of the head coach of the men's and women's water polo teams in 2017. He was named the first men's and women's water polo coach at La Salle University in January 2016. Macht comes to La Salle with 15 years of coaching experience at the collegiate, high school and club level, most recently at The William Penn Charter School.
"Paul has tremendous connections in the area from his many years as a player and coach," Brennan said. "As we begin our water polo programs, we believe he is the right fit to recruit student-athletes to La Salle. He values the student-athlete experience and we look forward to seeing the water polo programs grow under his direction."
Macht led the Penn Charter boys' program to an 85-25 record over the past four seasons, including the 2014 Eastern Prep High School championship. The 2012 Penn Charter team was 24-4 and ranked number one in the state.
"I can't wait to getting started at La Salle," Macht said. "It is an exciting opportunity for more high school student-athletes to play water polo on a varsity collegiate level. I look forward to working with the athletic department staff to build a strong program that offers a great student-athlete experience."
He also has experience at the club level, coaching the Philly Select Water Polo Team in 2012-13, where he led the 15U boys' team to a second place finish at the National State Challenge. He was also the head coach of the Trojan Aquatics Water Polo Club, leading the middle school team to the Pennsylvania state championship in 2011.
Macht was the assistant coach at Wissahickon High School in 2010 and was the head coach at Germantown Academy from 1982-85.
Collegiately, he served as the head men's water polo coach at Princeton University from 1977-81.
A successful player in his own right, Macht was a high school All-American at Lower Moreland High School. He moved on to Fordham University on a swimming and water polo scholarship, earning All-East honors in water polo in 1972-74. Macht served as the team captain during his junior and senior seasons.
After graduating, he played on the club team at Princeton while pursuing his Master's degree. He continued to play the sport following college, competing for 23 years for the Philadelphia Water Polo club and still competes for the Patriots Water Polo club.
Macht graduated from Fordham in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in art history. He earned a master's degree from Princeton in 1979 in architecture. He founded Paul Macht Architects in 1989.
Macht led both of La Salle's water polo programs to their first official wins in his first season with both teams.
