Bruce Morehouse

Water Polo

Bruce Morehouse has been a water polo official for 35 years. It began when he decided to quit swimming competitively at UC Santa Barbara. The coach asked him if he would like to be the swimming meet official.

Although he had years of experience as a swimmer, he had no idea what to do as an
official, so of course he said “Sure”. After one season as a swimming official, he decided to try officiating water polo. His first game was with another rookie at Calabasas High School. He survived that first game and 35 years later he is now being inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions Officials Hall of Fame.

In 1980, Bruce moved to San Diego to continue his education at San Diego State University. At that time he joined the San Diego Water Polo Officials Association and

this where he met Dave Alberstein who became his mentor. He guided Bruce in the direction of becoming a better official and advised him if you want to advance “you’ll have to put in your own time and money”.

During the 80’s, Bruce officiated hundred’s of High School and US Water Polo games a year and then began to travel in order to advance himself and gain experience. Traveling introduced him to many senior officials and got him invited to college tournaments in all parts of the country.

In his 35 years of officiating water polo, Bruce has officiated 13 USAWP National Championships, 18 CIF Championships, 10 Collegiate Club Nationals, 4 Eastern Championships and 2 Olympic Festivals. Along with his officiating, Bruce has been on the board of USAWP Pacific Southwest Region as the Zone Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary for over 25 years. He has also been the San Diego Water Polo Officials Association’s Assignment Secretary for 22 years and for the last 19 years he has been the director of Water Polo for the California State games. Most recently, in 2012 he was awarded the California Coaches Association Official of the Year.