Ilija Duretic coming home to lead Terriers

Former SFC water polo standout named new head coach

August 25, 2021 John Torenli, Sports Editor

A member of the 2013 Final Four team, Ilija Duretic was named the new head coach of the historic water polo program at SFC Brooklyn last week. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

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Ilija Duretic understands the history-making tradition of water polo at St. Francis Brooklyn.

Now, he’s hoping to enhance it.

“I admire what this program represents and it’s an honor and privilege to come back to be the men’s water polo head coach at my alma mater, a place that is a big part of who I am today,” Duretic said last week after being named the leader of a program he has already played a role in developing.

The native of Serbia graduated from the Remsen Street school back in 2017 after helping the Terriers reach the NCAA Final Four in 2013.

He was named College Water Polo Association Rookie of the Week twice and scored three goals in SFC’s NCAA play-in game victory over UC San Diego.

But Duretic didn’t stop there.

He was consistently a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) Academic Honor Roll and received Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic Superior Team honors.

The former Serbian national team member was also head coach of the Brooklyn Heights Water Polo Club for the under-14 and under-17 teams right here on Remsen Street.

His homecoming after most recently serving as boys’ and girls’ water polo coach at Saint Andrew’s High School in Florida was heartening to SFC Athletic Director Irma Garcia, who believes Duretic is the right person for the job at the right time.

“We are excited to welcome Ilija back to the Terrier family as our new men’s water polo head coach,” Garcia noted.

“Ilija embodies the Franciscan mission as he is a servant leader; who achieved great success as a member of the men’s water polo team during his time as a student-athlete.”

The Terriers have won 10 conference championships and made four trips to the NCAA Final Four.

With Duretic on board for this coming season, SFC is doubtlessly hoping for a return to glory and perhaps even win the program’s first-ever national title.

“He is a great role model for all of our student-athletes, and we look forward to an exciting season this Fall,” Garcia added.

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The LIU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams got a new head coach in Robert Smith last week. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

Over at Long Island University, Robert Smith was named the new head coach of the Brooklyn-based men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs last week.

LIU Athletics Director Dr. William E. Martinov Jr. announced the hiring last Tuesday after Smith spent the past six years as head coach at Adelphi University.

“We are excited to welcome Robert Smith to the Shark family,” Martinov said.

“Coach Smith has a demonstrated record of success leading swimming and diving programs, knows the area, and knows what it takes to compete at the Division I level as a decorated swimmer himself. We are excited to have him join Shark nation!”

Smith led Adelphi to 26 new program records, 20 NEC-10 weekly honors and 12 consecutive CSCAA Scholar All-America team honors as well as guiding his swimmers and divers to the NCAA championship qualifying standard in 2020.

“I am extremely honored to share in the excellence of the LIU Swim and Dive program,” Smith said.

“I look forward to continuing the outstanding legacy the Sharks have built. With the steadfast support of the University and the athletic department, I am excited to take this team to the top of the Northeast Conference and cultivate an unforgettable experience for the student-athletes. Fins up!”

Smith captained the University of Pittsburgh swim team under head coach Chuck Knowles and also set seven Metropolitan Masters records in the pool during his competitive career.

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The defending NEC champion SFC Brooklyn men’s soccer team will open its 2021 campaign Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park vs. UMass-Lowell. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

Already tabbed the favorite to win its sixth NEC title in the past nine years, the SFC men’s soccer team will hit the pitch for its season opener at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. against UMass-Lowell.

The Terriers, who are looking for back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament after an historic run through the NEC playoffs and a first-round win over the University of Milwaukee, will travel to La Salle in Philadelphia on Monday for their first road match.

Head coach Tom Giovatto’s team will visit Monmouth on Sept. 4 before returning to BPP on Sept. 11 vs. St. Peter’s.

As usual, the Terriers and LIU Sharks will play one another in the NEC regular-season finale on Nov. 7.

The teams battled to a scoreless draw in last year’s NEC Championship Match at BPP before the Terriers won via shootout to reach the NCAAs.

SFC then upset Milwaukee and nearly beat No. 3 Indiana in the second round before falling in a shootout.

“We have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks, but we are looking forward to another season kicking off shortly,” Giovatto said earlier this month.