Jan. 10, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - John Zeigler '91 has resigned his position as head men's and women's water polo coach at Bucknell University, it was announced Thursday by director of athletics and recreation John Hardt. Zeigler, who recently completed his ninth season as head coach, is leaving Bucknell to pursue a career as a practicing attorney.

John Abdou, the associate head coach of the Bucknell men's and women's water polo programs, has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2007-2008 season.

John Abdou has been named interim head coach of Bucknell's men's and women's water polo programs.

"I want to thank John Zeigler for the years of service he gave to the men and women of the Bucknell water polo program," stated Hardt. "We are sorry to see him go, but wish him the best of luck with all of his future personal and professional endeavors."

As head of the men's program, Zeigler compiled a career mark of 134-148 while taking his team to the Eastern Championships every season. This past fall the team won 20 games and finished the year ranked 19th nationally. In eight years at the helm of the women's program, Zeigler went 139-118, including a school record 23 wins in both 2005 and 2006.

Since arriving at Bucknell in the summer of 2005, Abdou has helped the men's team to a pair of fourth-place finishes at the Eastern Championship and a pair of top-20 national rankings. On the women's side, the Bison have posted a 38-26 record during Abdou's two years with the program.

"John Abdou has done an exceptional job in his three years working with both programs and we are fortunate to have him in this position to serve as interim head coach as practices for the women's program begin next week," stated Hardt. "I am confident that John can lead our women's program to a successful season and allow the administration the proper time to then conduct a national search for John Zeigler's replacement later this spring."

Abdou is a 2001 graduate of UC Irvine and served as the director and head coach of both the men's and women's water polo programs at Burbank High School in Burbank, Calif., from 2001-05, immediately before joining the Bucknell staff. A member of the water polo team at Irvine from 1997-2000, Abdou helped lead the Anteaters to 58 wins and three NCAA Tournament berths during his four campaigns.

Recently, Abdou organized and conducted district tryouts for United States Water Polo as the Wilshire District boy's cadet coach. He also worked with United States Water Polo as the C.C. Zone girl's youth assistant coach. Since 2002, Abdou has been part of the coaching staff at the Naval Academy Water Polo Camp.

Abdou, who was named coach of the Northeast Zone Women's National Team last year, played for the U.S. Junior National Team during his freshman year at UC Irvine.

The Bucknell women's water polo team opens the 2008 season Feb. 9-10 at the Hilton Hotel Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo.