CLOSE-UP : Pierce Water Polo Suits an Olympian

When Jody Campbell walked into the Pierce College water polo practice Monday, there was something remarkably different about his appearance.

Instead of the usual swimsuit, the 1984 Olympic silver medalist was wearing a three-piece business suit.

Pierce Coach Eldin Onsgard instantly recognized that team’s most valuable player. But the Pierce players didn’t recognize Campbell behind the sophisticated attire.

“You sure are dressed awfully nice for a water polo player,” said sophomore Matt Turley.

Campbell, 25, wears his suits to Coldwell Banker, a commercial real estate firm in the Woodland Hills. His Speedo had been hanging dry since the Olympics, but Campbell decided Pierce might be the place to get back into the water.

Campbell asked Onsgard if he could work out with the team.

“It was right out of the clear, blue sky,” Onsgard said. “This guy is to water polo players like John Wayne is to moviegoers.”

Campbell, who graduated from Stanford University in 1982, said he went into commercial real estate because it involves big people and big money.

“Unlike other amateur sports,” Campbell said, “water polo isn’t exactly going to pay the rent.”

When Campbell was 9, he set a goal of being an Olympian. Now his goal is to be one of the most successful real estate brokers in Southern California.

Onsgard believes Campbell’s presence will have a good influence on his team. The coach also thinks Campbell will recapture his desire to play water polo and decide to compete in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea.

Campbell isn’t committing yet.

“I always wanted to be in the Olympics and win a gold medal,” he said. “I’m semi-retired now, but I have an unfulfilled goal. That bothers me.”