Luis Martinez
Why CPD: I swam and played water polo for Harrison Park when I was a kid. Coaching for CPD is a way to give back to a program that gave me a lot. Being at Harrison taught me a lot about self-discipline, making new friends, and having fun playing a sport that I love. Being a coach allows me to pass on some of these lessons to the next generation.
Favorite Sports Movie: Miracle
Favorite CPD memory: Cheering on the U12 girls as they won 3rd place at JO's 2018
Years of Experience with the parks/polo: 25+ years!
Favorite Water Polo Shot: Helicopter!
Brian Ruiz
Why CPD - We have a great organization, great athletes, great parents, and the best coaching staff in Illinois.
Favorite Sports Movie - McFarland USA ~ a great movie about resilience, perseverance, and heart.
Years of experience with the parks/polo - I have spent the majority of his life in and around the Chicago Park District. I both swam and played water polo for the parks, starting at the age of 11, and later transitioned into coaching. I have been an employee of the park district for 17 years, and a CPD club polo coach since 2011. I have also coached a few high school programs on both the boys and girls sides.
Favorite CPD Memory - The 2018 girls' 12u team getting the bronze medal in the Gold division at the Stanford pool.
Favorite Polo Shot - A shot from the post on a 6 on 5. This shot takes both awareness and execution and is always a beautiful shot.
Outside of the pool - Brian is a PE teacher at Jones College Prep.
Nicole Lum
Why CPD - Water polo is truly for everyone.
Favorite Sports Movie - Remember the Titans & For Love of the Game
Years of experience with the parks/polo - I began coaching with the parks in 2017. I have played polo since my freshman year of HS and continued on to play at Villanova.
Favorite CPD Memory - I was a pretty new coach with CPD at the 2018 JO's. On the third day of competition we had to win three games in order to get to the semi-finals and play at Stanford. All the girls knew was that the goal was to win three games in one day. We were about to play the third game of the day against a team from California and suddenly our entire 18U team, 14U team, coaches, and all the parents in town walked in and sat on the bleachers. You would have thought it was our home pool. Seeing a bunch of 18U and 14U girls doing sideline cheers, going crazy, and caring so much.... And when the 12s won, all the girls formed a tunnel and cheered them through. Those 12U girls felt like the most important people in the world in that moment. This is CPD. I may not have been born and raised in Chicago, but from that moment on I was all in.
Favorite Water Polo Shot - A field block…. JK, shot - A post shot on a 6-on-5
Sigfredo Cruz
Sigfredo joined the coaching staff in October of ‘23. He has a long history of coaching in Chicago at both the age group and high school level. We are thrilled he has joined us, and we look forward to filling in his bio shortly.
Roberto Henriquez
Why CPD - Grew up in the Chicago Park District, I love what our beautiful city has to offer in our local communities
Favorite Sports Movie - Friday Night Lights, "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose"
Years of experience with the parks/polo - I have spent most of my life deeply connected to the Chicago Park District. I began swimming and playing water polo at the age of 12, and eventually transitioned into lifeguarding and coaching. My coaching journey started at La Follette Park, where I gained valuable experience and formed lifelong friendships. Competing with several parks, especially Shabbona Park, was a highlight of those years. Eventually, I moved to Shabbona Park, which was closer to home, and I was greatly influenced by the late Juan Regalado, who encouraged me to pursue my passion for coaching water polo.
My Coaching Experience: La Follette Park Sealions: 2013–2015 - Shabbona Sharks: 2015–2023 -Taft Eagles High School Girls Swimming: 2024–Present - Taft Eagles High School Boys Water Polo: 2020–Present
Kelvyn Park High School Boys Swimming 2023-Present
Favorite CPD Memory - Coached alongside Coach Manny for the Shabbona Park 10U Water Polo team, where we had an undefeated season.
Favorite Polo Shot - Cross Cage Lob Shot
