A Champion In And Out Of The Pool

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Before Saturday’s game against UC Davis, UC Irvine will dedicate the new scoreboard in honor of legendary men’s water polo player Peter Campbell.

Campbell, one of the most decorated athletes in UC Irvine history, passed away on Jan. 11, 2023. His legacy as a player and person will live on at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.

Campbell, who played for the Anteaters from 1978-82, was a four-time All-American, NCAA National Champion and two-time Olympian. He was the first UCI athlete to be named NCAA Player of the Year in 1982.

He was prepped at nearby University High School in Irvine and recruited to UCI by head coach Ted Newland. Campbell arrived on campus in 1978 and made an immediate impact, leading the team in scoring as a freshman with 64 goals and earning his first All-American honor. The Anteaters won their first PCAA title and placed third at the NCAA Championship.

In 1979, Campbell paced the squad in goals, totaling 46 on his way to All-PCAA and All-American selections. 

He topped the team with 62 goals as a junior, collecting first team All-PCAA honors as well as All-American accolades for the third straight season. The team won another PCAA title and placed third at the NCAAs.

After redshirting in 1981, he would get to play his senior season with his brother Jeff who was a sophomore on the squad`. 

He ended the year second on the team in scoring, compiling 60 goals. Campbell was named NCAA and PCAA Player of the Year as well as first team All-American and Co-MVP of the NCAA Tournament. The Anteaters would capture the national title with a perfect 30-0 record. The prolific scorer would shine on defense and leadership and not on offense in the title run. 

He was named the Irvine Exchange Club Senior Male Athlete of the Year. While at UCI, the Anteaters were 96-25-1.

On the national level, Campbell was a member of the Junior National Team in 1978 and 1979, the World Student Games Team in 1979 and 1981 and a member of the U.S. National Team from 1980-88 and 1990-92. 

Campbell was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984 in Los Angeles and again in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea when the American teams won consecutive silver medals. He also served as the first alternate in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. His defense was still strong, leading the 1988 team in steals with nine. 

He also won gold medals at the 1983 and 1987 Pan American Games, and silver medals at the 1981 and 1983 World University Games as well as playing professionally oversees for several years before retiring from the sport.

He played professionally before being inducted into the UC Irvine Hall of Fame in 1997 and the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2000.

THE CAMPBELL FILE
Member of US National Team 1980-88 & 1990-92
Member of US Olympic Team 1984 (2nd Place)
Member of US Olympic Team 1988 (2nd Place)
Member of Pan American Team 1987 (1st Place)
Member of Pan American Team 1983 (1st Place)
FINA Cup Teams 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987
Member Goodwill Games Team 1986 & 1990
Member of World University Team 1981-1983 (2nd Place twice)
Member of World Championships Team 1983 & 1986
Played in 11 Outdoor USWP Championship (1st 1979-1985)
Member of UC Irvine NCAA Champions 1982

4-Time NCAA All-American
3-Time High School All-American
2 Silver Medals, Olympic Games 1984-1988
2 Gold Medals, Pan American Games 1983-1987
5-Time USWP Outdoor All American

A special Thank You to everyone that contributed to make the The Peter Campbell Memorial Scoreboard a reality!