One in 33,000: Player turned coach now inspires young water polo players

By Kimberly Krieger
January 25th, 2010
Section: Arts & Life

Sophomore Angel Hernandez, 19, is the water polo coach at the Boyle Heights Variety Boys & Girls Club. Photo Credit: Kimberly Krieger / Staff Reporter

When Angel Hernandez, a 19-year-old undeclared sophomore, left the Roosevelt High School water polo team in 2008, he vowed to one day take away his coach’s job.

“I hate that guy,” Hernandez said. “I dislike him with like, a passion.”

Now as a Boyle Heights Variety Boys & Girls Club water polo coach, Hernandez pushes his students to do their best, while cautioning them to avoid joining the Roosevelt High School water polo team.

“My kids could beat his kids,” Hernandez added.

The rivalry started when Hernandez was captain of the Roosevelt High School water polo team. Even though Hernandez said the team probably couldn’t have won without him, the coach did not afford him the Most Valuable Player award.

“I missed one meet and he said I don’t deserve it anymore,” Hernandez said.

When Hernandez tried to help the Roosevelt High School swim team go to a city meet, the coach refused to let him go. This, Hernandez said, made him very angry.

“He’s never played water polo in his life,” Hernandez said. “How are you going to teach something (when) you never played?”

As a coach, Hernandez claims to be very aggressive, and he pushes his kids to do more. He says that he is leaning toward majoring in Kinesiology, so that he can one day help students work out and play water polo.

“Teachers don’t really make that much, but I don’t really care,” Hernandez added.

Along with this, Hernandez also wants to be a P.E. teacher because he said it is an easy-going job.

“I was a big-time work out fanatic in high school, and I just think it would be fun,” Hernandez added.

One of Hernandez’s students is a 9-year-old boy he affectionately nicknamed “Fluffy”. The reason he gave Fluffy his nickname, Hernandez said, was because he is a little bit chubby and he looks like he is 12 years old. Originally, Fluffy was reluctant to be on the water polo team but Hernandez said that he pushed him to join.

“I told him if he keeps swimming, I would take him to Jack In the Box,” Hernandez said. “I just like this kid, so I’ll take him out either way.”

In the Summer of 2009 Hernandez started managing his own pool by helping kids ages 7-17 swim. Recently, Hernandez hosted his own swim meet at the Boys & Girls Club, where his team played against five other teams from East Los Angeles. Out of a possible 66 medals Hernandez’s team won 44.

“All my kids that swim for me are really fast,” Hernandez said.

Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Hernandez has been part of the Variety Boys & Girls Club since he was a small child. His brother, who is second in command of the water polo team, and cousin, who is third in command, helped him attain the position as coach.

Now as a college student, Hernandez is not considering joining the CSUN swim team.

“I’m good, but I’m not that good,” Hernandez said.

Instead, Hernandez enjoys the company of his roommates, while thinking of his pending decision about a major.

When asked about the inclement, wet weather going on outside, Hernandez said he does not mind the rain.

“I don’t like the rain,” Hernandez added. “But, I like swimming in the rain.”

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  • Kevin

    UPDATE: I just noticed the publishing date on the original article. The swim team was still active last Spring, but is now extinct.

  • Kevin

    Good thing Hernandez isn’t thinking about joining the CSUN swim team. IT DOESN’T EXIST.

    • Kevin

      UPDATE: I just noticed the publishing date on the original article. The swim team doesn’t exist now, but it did last Spring. Sorry.

  • Coach Garcia

    “One in 33000”

    As I was talking to my team during try-outs one girl stood up and said “my coach at the Boys and Girls Club told me not to join your team”. I asked her how come? She then led me to this article. I strongly believe that I must reply to your “One in 33000” article. Angel Hernandez was a player on the Roosevelt High School water polo team and was my captain for a reason. Not because of his skills or work habits but as a strategy to keep him in school and out of trouble. He has an explosive attitude and because of this got into trouble and was about to get kicked out of school. I stepped in for him as well as other teachers. We wrote letters to the principal and dean’s asking them to keep him at Roosevelt. I put out my reputation for this student and it worked out as he finished his high school education and moved on to better things. His accusations of me being a bad coach is a discredit to my profession. As far as him being indispensible, most of the games he played, he got kicked out because of his mouth. In the third place game for the city he got kicked out of the game in the 2nd quarter and we still won the game with out him. During the swim season Angel never showed up for practice and did not even make it past the League Championships. His arrogance and explosive attitude made him a tough athlete to coach. As far as my experience is concerned, he knows nothing. I have played water polo since the age of 16 and swam since I was 14 years old. I swam and played Intramural water polo for the University of California, Irvine for 5 years. He is the one with no experience but what I gave him. As far as inspiring young players, how can he? As a coach you want your players to move on to better things and if playing high school water polo is next then let it be. This young man still has a lot to learn as a person and as a coach. Finally if he thinks that being a physical education teacher is an easy going job, he needs to really go out and observe P.E. teachers. We are a young program only 5 years old, but we have made playoffs every year and continue to improve. I hope that Angel gets what he wants in life, but it will take him a lot more than his lack of education and mouth to take any job away from anybody. If you want more information please e-mail me at rgarc7@lausd.net.

    Thank you,

    Coach R. Garcia

  • mariana

    Angel Hernadez I’m Mariana. I’m now the girls water polo goalie, i came into this team as a freshman that i didn’t know how to swim or play, with the help of coach i learn how to do both things. And thanks to him now i have awards from the city. He is a great coach and i really don’t understand your dislike in him, your reasoning seems really illogical. And as your comment of that your kids could beat us email me and we can arrange a game.

  • Verenice

    My Name is Verenice and i am a member of RHS water polo team.I strongly disagree with your article. The water polo team both guys and girls are very good teams. If you want to “challenge” us then send me an email so i can put together a game. I’m sure we can beat you any time anywhere. The coach is an amazing coach and you must have been a real pain in the ass for him not to “treat you right” and not give you m.v.p. Daniel De la Rosa deserved it because he is a way better player and a great goalie. SO don’t be so cocky and try to make your self seem like if your the best because your not.

  • Junior

    Oh yea well Angle Hernandez I may not know you but I attend Roosevelt High School and I strongly believe you are wrong!
    As a soon to be member of the Roosevelt Water Polo team I think that this program is excellent! I couldn’t play because of a trnsfer of schools but I wish I could have played because its such and amazing teach following a good COACH! Well I read the article and I think that there is no possible way you can win us with the team you have. I would request a game in Water Polo your team against us! You can play if you want you will still LOSE!!!