Courtesy: Pepperdine Athletics
MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine men’s water polo associate head coach Merrill Moses has been inducted into the International Jewish Hall of Fame. He will join 10 others in the class of 2023, which will be recognized at the next induction ceremony in July 2025.
“I feel incredibly honored and blessed to be inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame” said Moses. “I want to congratulate the other 2023 inductees and thank the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame committee for choosing me to receive this great honor.”
A three-time All-American, Moses joined the Pepperdine water polo program in 1995, and helped the Waves capture their first national championship in 1997 as the starting goalie. He was one of three tri-MVPs of the NCAA tournament that year and in the same season, was named MPSF Goalkeeper of the Year. He left Pepperdine as the all-time leader in saves with 818 and he currently ranks third in the category.
Moses is a three-time Olympic water polo goalkeeper who earned a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also played for the Americans at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and won gold medals at three Pan American Games in 2007, 2011 and 2015, as well as silver medals at the 2008 and 2016 FINA World League Super Finals.
He was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2021 and is a member of the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Jewish Sports Heritage Association Hall of Fame in 2018 and Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
He played professionally for clubs in Spain, Italy and Croatia and played domestically for the New York Athletic Club.
Moses has been on the sidelines of the Pepperdine men’s water polo program since 2012. Starting as an assistant and then being promoted to the position of associate head coach prior to the 2017 season. Last year’s 2022 campaign marked his 11th on the staff. Over the past 10 years, the Waves are 141-118 (.544) and have won three conference titles.
The Hall, which is housed at the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport in Netanya, Israel, will recognize this year’s honorees at the next induction ceremony. Inductees are announced annually, but the ceremony itself is held every four years when the Maccabiah Games take place.
Merrill looks like a tough guy. Amazing career!!