Reflections on Conversations w/ Legendary Wolf Wigo @ Fischer Cup
Water Polo and Lifelong Learning
We're engaged in the sport of water polo. Recently, I've had the opportunity to reflect on this during my weekend conversation with Wolf Wigo, one of the most respected figures in the world of water polo. Wolf has a distinguished record as both a player and a coach, having led teams at the University of Santa Barbara and founded a successful water polo company, KAP7.
Insights from Wolf Wigo
What's particularly striking about Wolf is his continued participation in the sport. Despite being 50 years old, he competes against players who are 18 to 22 years old. In one of our recent games, we faced off against the top players from the USA Junior Team, all under 20 years old. The game ended in a tie and went into a shootout.
This tournament, known as the Fisher Cup, is held at UCSD every year. It brings together college teams, clubs, and national team youth programs. The fact that Wolf, at his age, not only competes but also scores against college teams is impressive.
Continual Learning and Passion
When asked why he continues to play, Wolf simply responded, "he loves to score goals and playing water polo." He's also a contributor to the sport off the field, creating instructional videos for the younger generation. He has a family immersed in the sport, with his oldest child heading to Santa Barbara, named Athena after the 2004 Olympic host city, Athens.
Wolf was my roommate for part of that Olympic journey, and someone I admired greatly. He's not just an exceptional athlete but also an astute business person and leader.
The Future of Water Polo
USA Water Polo's staff and coaches are working tirelessly to develop our talent pipeline. However, it's a challenging endeavor. All of Team USA's athletes must find sponsors and secure stipends through donations, as we receive no government funding.
The Struggle of Athletes
Legislative efforts in California, Colorado, and a few other places are now trying to provide these athletes with free education. Schooling is one of the biggest obstacles for Olympic athletes. For instance, my colleague, Olympic athlete Zach Garrett, trained eight hours a day to win an Olympic medal while also earning a living coding software.
Mental Strength and Process
Our team's sports psychologist, Brian Alexander, had our national team read "Chop Wood Carry Water," a book about focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Zach even gave a talk about how the principles of archery align with business processes and systems.
Fast forward six years, we are now working on process engineering together, using JIRA consulting to help businesses execute their ideas.
Conclusion
What's truly amazing about all this is the value of just showing up. Participating in the Fisher Cup, playing water polo, and having fun with the team allowed me to learn so much. It's a testament to the power of engagement, passion, and lifelong learning.