Athletics
Welcome to Athletics

FENWICK NAMES BETO GARCIA NEW AQUATICS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Beto Garcia, a former Catholic League water polo standout, has been a force within the Chicago Park District community.
Fenwick High School has tapped Spanish Teacher Beto Garcia to succeed Steve Thompson as the school’s Aquatics Director. Thompson, who spent two years as director and is returning to full-time work in the corporate sector, remains as head coach of the Friars’ girls and boys' swimming/diving programs.

“I am very happy to become the Fenwick Aquatics Director,” said Garcia, who was a water polo player at Brother Rice High School in Chicago, then played at Queens College/CUNY. “I realize with such a legendary swimming, diving and water polo program that there are high standards and expectations. My personal opinion is, as coaches, we are in the business of building athletes into local champions and national competitors,” continued Garcia, who has been a Chicago Park District aquatics coach since 2008 and an Illinois Water Polo Association member since 2001.

In 2007 and 2008, Garcia started up water polo programs at two Chicago-area secondary schools: Little Village High School and De La Salle Institute, respectively. Last year, USA Water Polo presented him with the association’s Brenda Villa Diversity, Equity and Inclusion individual and team awards.

“We are really excited to introduce Beto Garcia as our new Aquatics Director,”  added Scott Thies, Fenwick’s athletic director and a 1999 graduate of the Catholic high school. “Coach Garcia’s experience in the pool and focus on student-athlete development will serve our student-athletes well. Further, Coach Garcia will ensure that our aquatics programs are working together collectively to fulfill the mission of Fenwick High School."
Garcia’s Career Highlights
  • Member of ECAC Champion and Northern Champion men’s water polo team (Queens College), which took third place in NCAA Div. I in 2002.

  • The Queens Knights were NCAA Div. II men’s water polo champions in 2003.

  • Voted Most Valuable Freshman and member of the 1998 Brother Rice boys’ water polo team that won the IHSA state title. The Crusaders finished second in 1999 and fourth in 2000.

  • Chicago Park District aquatics coach, 2008 - present. Illinois Water Polo Association Member since 2001, and United States Water Polo Midwest Zone active official and coach since 2008.

  • Garcia has coached three state MVPs and more than 50 young, water-polo athletes who went on to achieve Illinois All-State status in the pool!

Fenwick Friars: Celebrating Our 94th Academic Year

Fenwick High School, founded in 1929, is a Dominican college preparatory secondary institution with a co-educational enrollment of approximately 1,100 students. Guided by Dominican Catholic values, its mission is to inspire excellence and educate each student to lead, achieve and serve. Today, Fenwick has an alumni list that includes a Skylab astronaut, Rhodes Scholars, Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Heisman Trophy winner and other leaders making a positive impact locally and internationally. Fenwick celebrates its 94th academic year in 2022-23.
Back
©2023 Fenwick High School. All Rights Reserved.