Goalie Hackett Wants to Be a Water Polo World Beater

Dan Hackett has reached the pinnacle of his profession, earning the starting goalkeeper’s position on the U.S. national men’s water polo team.

The former UCLA and Irvine High standout will enjoy a homecoming of sorts when he leads the United States into the Newport Beach Cup tournament beginning today at Corona del Mar High.

U.S. Coach John Vargas said Hackett has developed into one of the best goalies in the world. But Hackett might not even be here if he had a better alarm clock when he was in high school.

Hackett only tried out for the Irvine water polo team after he missed early-morning basketball practice.

“I overslept 6 a.m. tryouts for the freshman team,” Hackett said. “I just ended up being a late bloomer. Back then, I was 5 feet 7, 115 pounds, and the greatest thing water polo gave me was the opportunity to play every day.”

Although Hackett had dreams of playing baseball or basketball while he was growing up, water polo became his passion. And by the time he finished his career at UCLA, Hackett was 6-6, 195 and on his way to a career with the national team.

“Things worked out pretty well,” he said.

Pretty good for someone who didn’t even like swimming.

“I couldn’t even do a flip turn until I was in college,” Hackett said. “When they asked me what position I would try out for, I thought goalie, because I wouldn’t have to swim as much.”

Hackett’s playing time with the national team didn’t increase dramatically until recently.

Former UC Irvine goalie Chris Duplanty started for the U.S. at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and helped the U.S. win the World Cup last year. But Duplanty, 32, who played on the 1988 Olympic squad that won the silver medal, decided to retire before this week’s tournament. Duplanty will be an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s national team.

“It was just time for Chris to retire and Dan to become the full-time starter,” Vargas said. “It won’t be a tough transition. Both are very good goalies, although their styles are a little different.”

Vargas started Hackett, 28, at the FINA Cup and the Newport International tournaments early this year. But Hackett still isn’t completely comfortable.

“Working out and practice is one thing,” Hackett said. “I need to keep working on my strength, skills and get my game speed up to the challenge.”

Hackett is not taking anything for granted and said he will miss Duplanty’s counsel and competition.

“We pushed each other pretty hard,” Hackett said. “And I know this is going to be a process, just like it’s going to be for the team as we get ready for the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.

“You could be 22, incredibly talented and cover as much of the cage as anybody, but it will still take you two, three, four years before you get to know all of the world’s best shooters. I have to keep reminding myself it’s a long process.”

In Vargas’ eyes, Hackett’s grooming is near complete.

“Dan is never satisfied and always wants to improve,” Vargas said. “He has good fundamentals, great positioning and his size presents problems for shooters. And he just doesn’t get fooled.”

Hackett provides the backbone for a defense that could help propel the U.S. to the top.

“I think we have the talent to beat anyone in the world,” Hackett said. “And if we pull together, we could be a medal favorite in 2000.

“Unfortunately in our sport, the focus always tends to be on the Olympics, even though we just won the World Cup.

“But even when we get to the Olympics, we have to just treat it as another tournament, even with all the media attention. You can’t expect to just go out there and play out of your head. It’s a process to get ready and it’s already started.”

Although the Olympics are the long-term goal, Hackett said he and his teammates need to keep focus on the task at hand.

“This week, we want to do well and provide a showcase for our fans here at home,” Hackett said. “Then we have the Goodwill Games coming up later this summer where we’ll see Russia, Italy, and Spain--all teams that have been consistent medal winners. That will give us a good indication of where we’re at.”