LBCC dedicates Aquatic center to an Olympic swimmer

Long Beach City College dedicated their aquatics center to swim olympian and winningest coach in Vikings water polo history Monte Nitzkowski. 

In his 34 years of coaching the Vikings swim and water polo teams, Nitzkowski led the Vikings to 32 conference water polo championships and 12 swim titles. 

Prior to coaching at the college level, he coached the U.S. men’s Olympic water polo team at three Olympic Games, winning the bronze medal in 1972 and a silver medal in 1984. 

“He was a very difficult coach, but he was hard with a purpose, not just to be hard. He cared deeply about their growth, success, and development,” said LBCC dean of kinesiology, public health and athletics Randy Totorp. 

His effect on the LBCC water polo and swim teams can be felt to this day, with current day coaches still maintaining the culture that he left behind. 

Nitzkowski also traveled to colleges with his wife, Barbara, to try to establish women’s water polo in universities nationwide.

“The thing he is least known for is the women’s game. To be honest with you, that was more important to him than all the medals because he was really able to make an impact and establish women’s water polo,” Monte’s son, Jim Nitzkowski, said.

^{Jim Nitzkowski, son of Monte, speaks in honor of his father at the ceremonial dedication to the newly named Monte Nitzkowski Aquatic Center on Wednesday Oct. 1, 2025 at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. (Jessica Rodriguez)}

The success that Monte found in coaching in his life could not have been achieved had it not been for his rigorous coaching style and obsession with the sport. 

“He set a standard that we followed, even myself as an athlete a long time ago, and we’re trying to carry that as coaches,” Vikings men’s water polo head coach Djoko Radunovic said. 

Beyond his career in aquatics, he was also incredibly invested in the success of his students beyond college and into their adult lives. 

“With him, it’s about education. It’s about learning how to be a young leader and how to grow in your life,” Totorp said.

His impact in the sport will never be forgotten and the naming of the aquatics center only further cemented his legacy in LBCC aquatics. 

^{Barbara Nitzkowski, wife of late Monte Nitzkowski smiles in front of the newly renamed Aquatic Center during a ceremony Wednesday Oct. 1, 2025 for the dedication of the Monte Nitzkowski Aquatic Center at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. (Jessica Rodriguez)}