Alumnus Perez ('92) named to U.S. water polo position
Campus Times
March 19, 1999
Mario Perez, a 1992 alumnus of the University of La Verne, was named
director of communications for the United States water polo teams.
The United States Water Polo, Inc. (USWP), the national governing body
for the sport of water polo, hired Perez last month.
Perez has been working as a public relations assistant for the Oakland
Raiders for the past seven years. According to a press release, he will
be active in the strategic planning, coordination and delivery of water
polo's publicity efforts. He will be working with both men's and women's
national teams and also with the executive director.
"I am excited about being named director of communications for
United States water polo," said Perez. "I'm prepared for the challenge
ahead and look forward to working in the Olympic movement as we approach
the Sydney Olympic Games."
Perez will also be editor of the USWP's official bi-monthly magazine,
"Water Polo Scoreboard," and will also create new ideas for marketing,
advertising and distributing the publication.
Bruce Wigo, USWP executive director, said, "Mario brings with him
a great deal of experience and a diverse background in sports public relations
to our organization."
Liz Grimes, assistant manager for the women's national team, referred
Perez to the executive board of the USWP. The committee then contacted him
and offered him the position.
Perez is from Long Beach, Calif. and graduated from ULV in 1992. He
graduated from the university with a degree in communications with an emphasis
in public relations and journalism. During his stay, he was a two-year starter
for the football team, sports editor for the Campus Times and earned an
internship with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Raiders. According to his
college resume, Perez had the desire to work for professional sports organizations.
"There is a little bit [of pressure] but not too bad," said
Perez. "But as far as the public relations aspect, it is not different
[in comparison to working with the Raiders and [Dodgers]."
Perez began work earlier this month on Monday, March 8. He works out
of the USWP National Training Center, located in Los Alamitos, Calif.
"Mario has always kept in contact with us at La Verne," said
George Keeler, the department chair of communications. "He was fun
and easy to talk to."
