Saturday 'Stache

Zac Polmanteer certainly looks the part of a water polo coach. 

But what caught my attention beyond the obvious was his response to an ugly hazing incident involving his team at Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif. 

During a tournament trip to the San Jose area, several players were subjected to humiliating and physically abusive treatment by teammates in a hotel room, leaving some injured. After learning what had happened, 

Polmanteer wasted little time addressing the situation, informing parents, interviewing players and working with school administrators to impose disciplinary measures.

Rather than dismissing the incident as boys being boys, the coach condemned the behavior and acknowledged that hazing is a cultural problem that affects an entire program, not just those directly involved. 

The consequences were substantial: The powerhouse team, which had just won its 19th consecutive league championship, withdrew from the playoffs while the investigation continued.

(Well done, Coach!)

Sure could have used a guy like this when I was on the freshman tennis team.