Charles
Jellinek Endowed Fund for Water Polo
2024-25 Academic Year Highlights
PREPARED FOR GREG HEWETT
WATER POLO
The Charles Jellinek Endowed Fund for Water Polo was established in 2023 by memorial gifts from friends and benefactors as an endowed fund whose earnings support the SLUH Water Polo team, its facilities and equipment.
JOHN PENILLA ‘99 HEAD COACH
”The Water Polo team completed a successful season by capturing the State Championship. This was the second consecutive title for the Jr. Bills and the 24th overall for the school – the most of any school in Missouri. I’m humbled to lead the program and coach alongside some committed and passionate coaches: JV Head Coach Paul Baudendistel ‘90, Goalkeeper Coach Tommy Rea ‘94 and Assistant Coaches Dan Schulte ‘93 and Justin Jellinek ‘13 (new for 2025).
For the 2nd consecutive year, our Varsity coaches and athletes spent about 24 hours together (Friday evening through Saturday afternoon) at the Madonna Della Strada Retreat Center. Our goals were to build team unity and create personal and team goals. It was a resounding success and has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the year. The student-athletes seem to enjoy it and find the exercises beneficial.”
- Coach John Penilla ’99
THE IMPACT
’24 - ’25 ACCOLADES
• Captain Nick Zimmerman ’26 was recognized as both the Missouri Water Polo and All-Metro (Post-Dispatch) Player of the Year in addition to being 1st Team All-District.
• Captain Danny McAuliffe ’25 was recognized as the Missouri Water Polo Player of the Year, 1st Team All-Metro and 1st Team All-District.
• Evan Zimmerman ’25, brother to Nick and the third and final captain, was also 1st Team-All Metro and All-District. Evan additionally was recognized by SLUH with the Dunn-Martel Scholar Athlete award for his incredible accomplishments in athletics and academics.
• The SLUH Varsity team was undefeated this season in competition against St. Louis teams.
’24 - ’25 STATS
• 35 student athletes played in the Water Polo program: 17 Varsity and 18 Junior Varsity
• The Varsity team compiled a record of 18-3 and won the school’s 24th State Championship
Senior captain Evan Zimmerman takes a shot.
Goalkeeper Nick Robert ‘26 blocks a shot.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to the young men of St. Louis U. High.
FROM A GRADUATING SENIOR
“Playing Water Polo at SLUH has definitely been one of the most impactful things I have ever done. ‘Playing ball with my friends’ as Coach Schulte calls it, has become so much more to me than I ever imagined. I have learned many values from SLUH Water Polo, namely sacrifice, selflessness and dedication. In years where we both won and did not win the state championship, I have been able to look back at the season and see genuine growth from every single person on the team. SLUH water polo is not just a community; it is a culture that is created by coaches and fostered by each and every year’s team. The program strives for excellence and achieves it almost every year. SLUH water polo is something special.”
