Class of 2024 Hall of Fame

Historic Triumph: From Underdogs to Eastern Prep Champions

In a dramatic come-from-behind win, the 1995-1996 Varsity Water Polo Team bested Lawrenceville by one goal to advance to the finals of the Eastern Prep Championships. The team edged out The Hill School in the final match, becoming the first Eastern Prep Champions in the young program’s seven-year history. The induction of this water polo team to the Hall of Fame is also a first for the program. 

 The team was coached by Jim Schmidt and assistant coaches Sheriff Upton ’91 and Glenn Cassidy Ed.D. ’90, both former players. Co-captain Matt Alban ’96 spoke for the entire team, expressing gratitude for lessons that spoke to the larger Benedict’s experience.

“Everything that was achieved by this group was only made possible from teamwork and brotherhood. And what’s more Benedict’s than that?” he asked rhetorically. “From the moment you step foot through the doors of 520 for The Overnight and take your first steps on The Trail, you live and breathe teamwork and tradition, and this team was the embodiment of that in every way. Like, ‘Whatever hurts my brother hurts me,’ no one wanted to let the other person down, no one wanted to be the reason why we lost, and no one cared who was the reason we won.”