Our Coaches
Scott Schulte – Executive Director, CT Premier Water Polo Club, NYAC Men’s Head Coach
Scott brings his lifelong experience as a player, coach, and business professional to his role as Executive Director at CT Premier Water Polo Club. Scott started as a swimmer and water polo player at Montclair Kimberly Academy (MKA) in Montclair, NJ, where he was an All-American water polo player. He continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Bucknell University, where he led the Bison water polo team to 4 Eastern Championships and 4 NCAA tournament appearances, as well as being a 2-time Second Team All-American. During that time, he set the record for the most goals at NCAA tournaments (50) and set the all-time leading NCAA career scoring record (586 goals), records that still stand today.
At the national level, Scott was a member of the USA Water Polo Junior and Senior National teams from 1978 to 1983. He represented the USA at the World University Games (1981) where his team won the silver medal. He represented the EAST at 9 U.S. Olympic Festivals and is a 12-time First Team All-American and 6-time MVP at Indoor Nationals. He has been honored as an inductee into the MKA, NY Athletic Club (NYAC), Bucknell, Collegiate Water Polo Association, and USA Water Polo halls of fame.
Scott continued his involvement in water polo after his playing career as Head Coach of the NYAC Men’s team for 20 years, where his teams have won 14 Senior National Championships, five Fischer Cup Championships, and two National League Championships. He has coached numerous Olympians including Tony Azevedo, Adam Wright, Merrill Moses, John Mann, Jesse Smith, and Layne Baubien.
Professionally, Scott has spent 37 years in the finance industry and is the Founder/Principal of MFS Capital Advisors. He lives in New Canaan, CT with his wife Lisa and their daughter Madison. His three older children, Taylor, Devan, and Logan, all played varsity sports in college. Scott is a member of the USAWP NE Zone Board and is excited to take on the challenge of coaching age group water polo athletes and developing a new east coast water polo powerhouse.
Valentin Horvath - Junior Director & Coach
Valentin is excited to take on the role of Junior Director at CT Premier where he will oversee the Development Age Group Program for our 8 - 14 year old players. In addition, he will also be the head coach of the 14U Boys teams.
Valentin began playing water polo at age 10 for Ferencvárosi TC in Budapest, one of the best clubs in Hungary. In 2018, he moved to the United States to play Division I water polo at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY, where he received an academic and athletic scholarship. The St. Francis Terriers were runner up to Princeton, beating Harvard in the semi-finals twice (2021-2022), when Valentin was the team captain. Upon graduating SFC, Valentin coached youth water polo in New York City from 2022-2023. He is excited to now continue his coaching career at CT Premier and instill responsibility, team mentality, good work ethic as well as establish core water polo fundamentals to those he coaches.
Gabe Maldonado - Coach
Coach Gabe joins our club from Greenwich Aquatics, bringing 9 years of coaching and refereeing experience. He is a Northeast Zone ODP coach, where he has worked with the Cadet Girls and Development Boys programs. He is also a FINA-certified international referee. Gabe has coached athletes who have gone on to play Division 1 and represent the U.S. National Team.
In addition to his extensive coaching experience, Gabe is the recipient of multiple USA Water Polo awards, including:
- Ted Newland Distinguished Coaching NEZ Award (2019 Development Men's Coach),
- Tom Hermstad Distinguished Referee NEZ Award (2021 Scholastic Referee),
- Brent Bohlender NEZ Award (2023 Development Women's Coach)
He is also a certified sports psychologist, bringing unique expertise in athlete development, mental performance, and team culture.
At CT Premier, Gabe will lead the Girls Teams, High School Boys team and oversee goalie-specific training.
Dawson Clark - Coach
Coach Dawson Clark will be leading the 14U Girls Team at the Junior Olympics this summer.
Originally from Greenwich, Connecticut, Coach Clark brings over ten years of water polo experience throughout the Northeast region. He began his playing career in the Fairfield County Swimming League and later competed with programs such as Greenwich Aquatics, Greenwich High School, and the Northeast Zone Olympic Development Program.
He continued his playing career at Michigan State University, where he participated in the Collegiate Club Championships. Since transitioning into coaching, Coach Clark has accumulated five years of experience, including the past year with our program. He is currently in his fifth year coaching at Greenwich Country Club.
Coach Clark is committed to fostering growth, discipline, and a competitive spirit in young athletes, and looks forward to guiding the 14U Girls Team through a successful Junior Olympics season.
Johnny Dunn - Coach
Coach Johnny Dunn will be leading our 12U Boys Team at Junior Olympics this summer. A proud New Canaan native, Johnny brings over a decade of experience competing in the Northeast Zone (NEZ).
His water polo journey began at just 7 years old with The Lake Club through the FCSL. By age 11, he was competing with Chelsea Piers and later became a member of the inaugural CT Premier 18U team.
Since graduating high school, Johnny has transitioned from player to coach while pursuing his college degree. This fall marks his third year coaching at CT Premier and his fourth season with The Lake Club in Wilton, CT. His dedication, firsthand experience, and passion for youth development make him a key asset to our coaching staff.
Meigan Loomis - Social Media
Meigan manages our social media and has coached with CT Premier in the past. In her first year coaching with us, she coached our 12U Boys from a 48th seed start to a 5th place finish at the 2023 Junior Olympics in the Classic Division.
She began playing water polo at 10 years old. She played for Ellis Aquatics, 680 Drivers and Lamorinda. In high school her team won back to back section titles and she was selected for 1st Team All-League 2015-17. During this time she was also selected to play for the Central Zone at ODP. Meigan signed to McKendree University but ultimately decided to attend Arizona State University where she played club water polo. In 2021 she coached at Mountain House HS and upon moving to CT she has joined our coaching family. Outside the pool she works in technology sales at CDW and enjoys making floral arrangements, reading and traveling.
