Over the past several years, FAU has really become a top University in the State of Florida. “F-A-who?” is slowly fading as the athletic department continues to build strong programs and add new ones.  Now FAU Athletics has added a whole new dimension on campus: Women’s water polo to start in 2003.

In 2000 there were 15 intercollegiate athletic programs at FAU, but now there are 18. Women’s Track was added in the spring of 2001, while football was added in the fall of last year.

Now, the University has announced the 16th program to be run by Coach Alan Huckins, who will join FAU’s staff in July.

Huckins has spent the last 4 years at the College of St. Rose. He was the Head Coach of the men and women’s swimming and diving teams. He led the NCAA II School to their first winning season and 8 school records. Huckins had to come back to Water Polo though. It’s his first love.

Huckins graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1992. He is still the career assists and steals leader for men’s Water Polo there. He was also captain of the Men’s and Women’s Water Polo teams from 1989 to 1991. Huckins returned to the school from 1997 to 1998 as the co-Head Coach of the men and women’s Water Polo Teams.

Huckins has also coached at the Morgan Hill Water Polo Club, the Lewisburg Community Pool, Bucknell Swimming School, and Bucknell University. He’s obviously gotten experience anywhere he could find it.

When the opportunity opened up to coach water polo at FAU, Huckins jumped on it.

“When I first heard about the position I just thought it’s probably the greatest opportunity that I’ve ever had. I’m very excited. I wish I was down there right now actually,” said Huckins. He basically wants to build a program that can compete for the National Title.

“It might take a couple years, but I’m hoping to get it done sooner rather than later. We’ve got a great facility and we have a chance to have a great team,” said Huckins. He is a demanding coach, but he also wants his players to have a good experience while they play for him.

“I demand a lot from the players but I know my players have enjoyed playing for me. I will [also] back my players up 100%,” said Huckins, who can’t wait to join FAU’s staff and to continue to get ready for 2003.

“I’ll be recruiting. I’ll be trying to get the best talent in the country and try to convince them that FAU’s the place to be,” Coach Huckins said about his plans for the next year.

Will sunny Boca Raton be a big change from Albany, New York where the College of St. Rose is located? “I’m originally from California. I like to visit the snow but I don’t like to live in it or anything,” said Huckins.

FAU continues to maintain a reputation for equality between Men’s and Women’s Athletics. With the new team, the women’s sports teams outnumber men’s 10-8 now and FAU also becomes the first college in Florida to offer a Water Polo program.