Heather Moody
Encyclopedia
Heather Moody is an American water polo
player, who won a silver medal
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
. She was team captain of the US Women's National Team that captured the bronze medal
at the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens
, and the only member of the team not from California. Her position is center forward.
In 1999 and 2001, Heather was United States Water Polo Player of the Year.
In September 2001, Moody became the first American woman water polo player to play professionally, when she signed with top European Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni
in Greece
. She had been approached by a number of international club teams, but chose the Greek club after consulting with women’s national team coaches Guy Baker
and Kyle Kopp, the latter of whom played in the Greek professional league for four years before retiring in 2001.
In June 2005, Bill Barnett resigned as coach of the U.S. women's water polo team because he couldn't come to terms on a contract. Heather Moody, serving as assistant coach, became interim head coach at the FINA World Championships in Montreal one month later. The rookie
coach guided the United States to the championship game in women's water polo in July 2005, but lost to Hungary 10-7 in two overtimes. In September, Guy Baker
replaced Heather Moody as head coach of the U.S. women's water polo team, leaving his positions as national team director and head coach of the U.S. men. Moody resumed the role of assistant coach.
In February 2007, Moody was inducted into the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) Hall of Fame with fellow Olympic medalists Natalie Golda
and Nicolle Payne
. The three women were members of the bronze medal 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens, and are the first women added to the NYAC Hall of Fame.
In March 2007, Heather Moody served as an assistant coach of the USA Women's National Water Polo Team, which defeated Australia to win the gold medal at the FINA Water Polo Championships. In August 2008, Moody was still in her post as an assistant coach with the USA Women's National Water Polo Team when they were defeated in the gold medal match by the Netherlands at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
She now lives in Long Beach, California
, where she coaches men's and women's water polo at Cal State Long Beach in addition to her work with Golden West Water Polo Club.
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
player, who won a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. She was team captain of the US Women's National Team that captured the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
at the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, and the only member of the team not from California. Her position is center forward.
In 1999 and 2001, Heather was United States Water Polo Player of the Year.
In September 2001, Moody became the first American woman water polo player to play professionally, when she signed with top European Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni
Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni
The Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni, or "NOV" is an aquatic sports club, founded by local sportsmen in 1937 in the seaside resort of Vouliagmeni, south of Athens, Greece. The club is located on the eastern edge of the Mikro Kavouri peninsula, adjacent to the Astir Palace Hotel and overlooking the...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. She had been approached by a number of international club teams, but chose the Greek club after consulting with women’s national team coaches Guy Baker
Guy Baker
Guy Baker was the head coach for the United States women's national water polo team competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. He is now the Director Of Olympic Development of USA Water Polo...
and Kyle Kopp, the latter of whom played in the Greek professional league for four years before retiring in 2001.
In June 2005, Bill Barnett resigned as coach of the U.S. women's water polo team because he couldn't come to terms on a contract. Heather Moody, serving as assistant coach, became interim head coach at the FINA World Championships in Montreal one month later. The rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
coach guided the United States to the championship game in women's water polo in July 2005, but lost to Hungary 10-7 in two overtimes. In September, Guy Baker
Guy Baker
Guy Baker was the head coach for the United States women's national water polo team competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. He is now the Director Of Olympic Development of USA Water Polo...
replaced Heather Moody as head coach of the U.S. women's water polo team, leaving his positions as national team director and head coach of the U.S. men. Moody resumed the role of assistant coach.
In February 2007, Moody was inducted into the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) Hall of Fame with fellow Olympic medalists Natalie Golda
Natalie Golda
Natalie Golda is an American water polo player. Considered one of the greatest women's water polo players of all time, her senior leadership helped guide the 2005 UCLA Bruins to their seventh national championship. In May 2005 Golda received the Peter J...
and Nicolle Payne
Nicolle Payne
Nicolle Katherine Payne is an American water polo player, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics...
. The three women were members of the bronze medal 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens, and are the first women added to the NYAC Hall of Fame.
In March 2007, Heather Moody served as an assistant coach of the USA Women's National Water Polo Team, which defeated Australia to win the gold medal at the FINA Water Polo Championships. In August 2008, Moody was still in her post as an assistant coach with the USA Women's National Water Polo Team when they were defeated in the gold medal match by the Netherlands at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
She now lives in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, where she coaches men's and women's water polo at Cal State Long Beach in addition to her work with Golden West Water Polo Club.