Morgan Tucker earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of Washington’s Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership (IAL) program in 2022. Since then, she has held multiple collegiate water polo coaching positions and served as the head coach for the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program. We recently reconnected with Morgan to hear about her IAL experience and the insights she’s gained throughout her coaching career.
Q: Tell us about your current role and what drives your passion for working in athletics.
A: I played water polo at a Division II school, California State University, Monterey Bay, where I currently coach. I am an assistant coach, a kinesiology instructor, and I teach several classes. I also recently took on the role of co-director for a youth club called Monterey Bay United. What really drives my passion for coaching and athletics is that moment when an athlete is working on something and it finally clicks. Whether it happens during a high-level scrimmage or in a game, seeing that realization and progress is powerful. When the athlete turns around and looks at you with that recognition, it is a shared moment of success. That feeling is something I continue to seek. Even the smallest achievements carry that same energy, and I love those moments.
Q: Which aspects of your current role do you find most rewarding?
A: In the college space, I feel a lot of gratitude for what my mentors have done for me. That time in life is challenging. You are on your own for the first time, developing as a young adult but not quite an adult. Having an impact on that age group is very meaningful to me. Being a mentor and helping them through life is a big part of our program. We talk often about how we are not just coaching water polo, we are mentoring life skills. These students are navigating independence, meeting new people, and adapting to different coaching styles. Our education as college coaches is often different from what they experienced in youth sports. For example, I do not need to yell to give feedback. We can have a conversation. That is something we learned through our training, and it has influenced both the rewarding and difficult parts of coaching.
Q: What motivated you to pursue the IAL M.Ed. program?
A: In 2019, I started volunteer coaching at San Diego State. That was my first experience in the Division I world. Volunteering there helped me realize that coaching, especially in college athletics and research, was the path I wanted to pursue. I remember attending the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in 2018. I spoke with someone at a booth and got connected with a person already in the IAL program. I reached out to her in 2020 and asked about her experience. She loved it. It felt like the right time to begin my professional journey and invest in myself.
Q: What were your goals going into the IAL M.Ed. program?
A: I knew a lot about water polo, but I did not understand the inner workings of collegiate athletics or youth programs. I had no idea how the structure of those systems influenced college sports. That was also when NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policies were coming into play, and everything was changing. My goals were to invest in myself and learn from others. I wanted to absorb as much as I could from professors, guest speakers, and mentors. That goal has not really changed. I continue to invest in my growth and revisit the resources I gained from the program. Now, a few years later, I have much more confidence in growing my career and stepping into new spaces. The IAL program gave me a foundation of confidence that continues to grow each year.
Q: What makes the IAL M.Ed. program a valuable step for individuals pursuing a career in athletics?
A: The connections are incredibly valuable. The variety of professors and their professional backgrounds, along with the guest speakers, bring a wealth of expertise. Everyone involved knows what they are doing and genuinely wants to help. I may have been one of the first, or possibly the only, water polo coaches in the program, and they adapted the teachings to fit the sport. Water polo is unique. Coaches are often on a different plane than athletes, and there is a lot happening that is not visible. Even in the coaching pedagogy classes, we spent time applying the material to my specific context. That individualized support was incredibly helpful. That is what makes IAL successful. The program adapts and supports you as an individual. They are not simply producing graduates who have all learned the same content. Each experience is unique, and that is what sets it apart.
Q: Were there any particular resources you found especially valuable during your time in the program?
A: Absolutely. The ambitious coaching framework and core practices still guide me today. I have them posted in my office, and whenever I need a reminder about my coaching pathway or feel stuck, I refer to them. I ask myself whether I need to adjust my feedback approach or provide more space for my athletes to learn. Now that I am a co-director of a club, we plan to use this resource with new coaches. I also share it with college athletes interested in coaching. It is a valuable tool, both for beginners and more experienced coaches, on how to be an intentional leader.
Q: What advice would you give to prospective students about building meaningful relationships through the program?
A: Stay connected. Even after the program ends, especially in that first year when you are used to being around everyone, just send messages or reply to Instagram stories. Those small gestures go a long way. One thing I learned through IAL is that everyone who participates wants to give back. They are there for a reason, and they want to be a resource. Keep reaching out, and they will respond. Even if it is just ten minutes of their time, many people in athletics are committed to helping others. That is a core part of why we do this work, and it is an important reminder to carry forward.
