"Brenda Villa is one of the most decorated women ever to play the game of water polo, but it is her position as a role model and ambassador for the sport that sets her apart from others."
"Brenda is the most internationally decorated women's water polo player in the Olympic Era. Beginning with the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games through the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Brenda has won three Olympic Medals, two World Championship titles, three World League Super Final titles and two Pan American Games gold medals. Brenda is one of only two women's water polo players to win an Olympic medal at all three Olympic Games for women's water polo. In addition, Brenda was the 2005-08 Team Captain for Team USA."
3-time Olympian (2000, 2004 and 2008)
3-time Olympic Medalist (Silver: 2000 and 2008, Bronze: 2004)
World Champion (2003 and 2007)
Pan American Games Champion (2003 and 2007)
12-year USA National Team Member and captain since 2005
Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year Finalist in 2002
Named the Female Hope for Tomorrow by World Water Polo magazine
Peter J. Cutino Award Winner in 2002 and Finalist in 2003
NCAA Division I Water Polo Player of the Year (2001)
NCAA Championship All-Tournament First Team (2002)
Competed on Stanford's NCAA National Championship Team (2002)
Ready, Set, Gold
Coach at Cerritos Community College
Volunteer for Water Polo Club Clinics
Born On: April 18, 1980
Hometown: Commerce, California
Resides: Long Beach, California
Education: Stanford University '03 Political Science
Height: 5'4
THE SAINT OF WATER POLO
3-time Olympic medalist Brenda Villa got started in the sport of water polo to follow her older brother Edgar, but she ended up leading the way as one of the pioneers of U.S. women’s water polo.
When she began playing the sport at eight-years old, there was no thought of playing in the Olympics. Not because Villa lacked any skill or ambition, but because women’s water polo was not played as part of the Olympic Games. Now, Villa has been the leading scorer on three-consecutive Olympic medal winning teams, taking the sport to new heights through her commitment to ambassadorship.
One of the greatest amateur water polo players in American history, Villa was sought by top programs across the country. When it came time to make her decision on what school to attend, she chose Stanford University, based on their rich academics. She found her lessons outside of the classroom to be just as valuable, cherishing the rich diversity of the Palo Alto campus and the experience of camaraderie that came from competing on an NCAA team.
Villa’s vital role in the growth of the sports has been highlighted in publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Swimming World, and The San Jose Mercury News. The New York Times coined her ‘The Saint of American Water Polo’.
Villa has committed herself to spreading the sport, particularly in the Hispanic community. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Villa broke down barriers in her participation in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. An inspiration to so many, Villa has been featured in Latina Magazine, profiled in a book, “Latinos at Work: Career Role Models for Young Adults” and featured in numerous Spanish speaking broadcasts
Much of her success can be credited to parents who challenged her to strive for greatness. Villa remains very committed to her roots, coaching at Cerritos College in California and regularly visiting Commerce Aquatics, where she grew up swimming.
Gender has always been a moot point to Villa, who grew up with two brothers and always competed with the boys. The Olympic hero takes an active role in the Women’s Sports Foundation, empowering young girls to set their goals high and live an active lifestyle.
Villa regularly speaks on the importance that culture and empowerment played in her life and shares message points on the importance of childhood activity and goal setting.
She currently plays professional water polo in Italy, where she has picked up the English language and learned an appreciation for a new culture.
