LAW History
LAW's first season was the summer of 2003. New pools were added to Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) and Central (New Lenox) high schools in 2001 and water polo became a new, popular sport in the area. A few parents and a former Lincoln Way East Coach,realized the community needed a feeder club to support the local high school teams. The north suburban (Chicago) high schools had teams that had been playing since grade school and we needed to build our talent pool. Our mission continues to be to develop teamwork, professionalism, and sportsmanship in our players. Our goal is to develop skills, fuel the competitive fire, stay healthy, and build strength. LAW promotes a recreational atmosphere that enhances character, players' understanding of the game and provides a feeder program for the high school teams. And, we want to make it fun! Every summer we invite all interested boys and girls ages 10 - 18 to join LAW and attend 2-3 practices without obligation!
In 2003, we found our first home at the
THE KOOISTRA CUP HISTORY
In 2003, LAW’s inaugural year, a scrimmage was added to the club schedule. It was modeled after the “Wooster Cup” from the U.S.Naval Academy’s summer Water Polo Camp. Many of our LAW members attended the USNA camp in 03’ and continue to attend this camp, among others.
The name “Kooistra” was chosen in honor of two brothers, from the south side of Chicago, Bill and Sam Kooistra. Bill and Sam were two of four players from the Chicago area on the 1956 U.S.Olympic Water Polo team. These four were the last water polo players from the Midwest, who have made it to the Olympics. Bill also made the 1952 Olympic team and was an alternate for the 1948 games. Bill and Sam were the second brothers in modern Olympic history to be on the same U.S.Water Polo team. Bill and Sam, both retired Chicago Firefighters, were also on the 1959 U.S. team for the Pan-American games, hosted in Chicago. Their team took the gold that year. The brothers were inducted into the Water Polo Hall of Fame and were members of 15 National Championship Water Polo Teams. Both were selected as National All American Water Polo Players 13 times. The Kooistras began playing water polo at the Chicago Park District pools at a young age. Both served in the U.S Navy. Bill passed away in 1995. Sam attended the 2004 & 2005 Kooistra Cup and presented the LAW MVP award. Sam passed away in 2010. The Kooistra Cup is held at the end of every summer season.