Genai Kerr is an American water polo player. He is a member of the United States men's national water polo team and played in the 2004 Athens Olympics.[1] Genai was a member of the United States Men's National Water Polo Team for 12 years and played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2003 & 2007 Pan American Gold medal games, and multiple World Championships. He is one of the only athletes in history to compete internationally as a goalie and as a field player. Most recently he was named MVP of the 2012 US Open after he helped Newport Water Polo Foundation win the national championship. Genai has coached at every level, from age group to Division 1 college programs. Over the last 15 years he has run hundreds of camps with Nike 5meter Water Polo Camps.
Genai got involved in water polo by accident, following the whistles to what he thought was a basketball game and ended up at the pool at the age of 15. He excelled at both water polo and basketball at Coronado High School and received a water polo scholarship to UC Irvine to play under Coach Ted Newland. Genai went on to become an NCAA All-American in 1998 and 1999 and was awarded Big West Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year his senior year. He went on to become the first African American to represent USA Water Polo in a major World Championship.
Genai remains active in his community and has become a great role model. He has been a US Ambassador for the USADA (U.S. Antidoping Agency) since 2003 promoting clean sports for young athletes. He was a founding faculty member of the Sage Hill School where he was the Dean of Students, taught art and physical education, and started the aquatic programs. Genai has also created several community outreach programs to help mentor children in lower income households. Recently he has collaborated with KidWorks, USA Water Polo Spashball, and various YMCA programs.
