Water Polo - 1990

As a USC junior in 1972, Dennis Needleman was a first team All-America water polo star.

A Beverly Hills High School diving and swimming champion, Needleman developed into the highest scoring center-forward (hole) in CIF history. In 1969, his senior year, he scored 116 goals in 211 attempts, averaging 5.7 goals per game, earning All-CIF honors.

Needleman played USC water polo 1969-73, and in his All-America year, he was also named to the All--NCAA Tournament Team. Playing injured much of his senior year (1973), Dennis, nonetheless, was named second team All-America.

That year, Dennis also starred for the USA gold medal water polo team in the 9th World Maccablah Games. He returned to Maccabiah water polo in 1977, winning a team silver medal. As player and team chairman in 1981, Dennis again helped the U.S. team to a silver medal finish. For the 1985 Mac-cabiah Games, Dennis served as co-chairman of USA water polo.