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February 15, 2014

2014 Season Promises To Be Epic

By Aaron Brown

There was a time back in 2003 when I spent one weekend putting together the first version of the illpolo.com web site. The plan was to compile a list of teams and schedules and then let it sit as a resource, since there wasn't much else available at the time on the Interwebs. The first games of the season were played on March 10 of that year, so I added a few scores to the site out of boredom...

...fast-forward to February 15, 2014, where I just spent an entire weekend creating 150 individual team pages with each team's schedule and links to each page throughout the site.

As the twelfth year of coverage begins, it seems appropriate to provide an update to let you know about the important site news and information related to this year's high school water polo coverage:

The Improvements

1) Illpolo App - An app is now available on Android and other tablet devices for the 2014 season. The app will include the latest news, daily schedule/scoreboard, rankings, contact info, and quick views of the latest Twitter, Facebook, and web site info all in one centralized location.

2) Hall of Fame - Water polo has been an official IHSA sport in Illinois since 2002. As such, we decided to put a more modern twist on recognizing athletes, coaches, and others with our own version of a Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in early March.

3) College Page - The college page lists all active collegiate water polo players participating in an NCAA sport. Plans for a list of club players is also in the works.

4) Rankings - This year's rankings will list the Top 50 teams each week. There will not be a separate rankings page for all 90+ teams.

5) Podcast - Time permitting, I am hoping to produce 3-4 audio podcasts throughout the season. Stay tuned for more information.

6) CPS Schedule - Since there are 27 teams playing water polo in the CPS this season, I have created a separate page for their complete conference schedule that can be found via the link on the standings page.

Practice Begins
March 3

Opening Night
March 10

Current e-mail address

illpolostaff@gmail.com

Comments

1) The preseason rankings are an indicator of where teams left off at the end of last season and are not a prediction of where teams will end up at the end of the 2014 campaign. A lot has happened since last May, so expect a lot of changes to occur after so many players have improved their skills during the offseason.

2) There are always a few players who either get mistaken as having graduated and others who did graduate yet still appear in the preseason previews. If you have any info that can help with the accuracy of the preseason lists, please help us get things right by sending in corrections.

3) Two years ago, it was suggested that I charge a small fee for readers to access the web site. Actually, it was also suggested around eight years ago and a few more times in between, and my response then and my response now are always the same: NEVER!

There is no way I could limit access to the great high school water polo athletes in Illinois and the recognition they so richly deserve for their extraordinary efforts.

4) Of course, if you like the coverage and can afford to make a donation to keep the site afloat so players can get the recognition they deserve, it is greatly appreciated. Click the donations link for more information.

5) Physically, Illpolo.com is a solo effort (aside from the occasional editing help from my wife). However, it definitely requires a community effort from anyone who is willing to send game information and other helpful tidbits that can ensure as many players and teams get recognized. E-mail, text, tweet, retweet, call, fax, or send information via carrier pigeon...whatever form of communication that you can use will go a long way in helping the site progress. Don't be shy about spreading the word about high school water polo in Illinois!

6) On a personal note, I have increased job responsibilities, a 2-year old son, and more teams to cover for a sport that features boys' and girls' seasons at the same time. If there is any lag in the coverage, it won't be for lack of trying or motivation, but be aware that there are outside forces and no backup plan or replacement for me in the event I get stuck at work or have some sort of family issue. You probably won't notice anything different (since I can just skip sleeping and caffeine is always available), but at least be aware of that fact and send information when you can to pitch in and help out.

Best of luck in 2014,

Aaron Brown

illpolo.com