STANFORD, Calif. – One of the most accomplished players in Stanford men’s water polo history, Ben Hallock, is returning to The Farm as an assistant coach. The three-time Olympian joins Dunlevie Family Director of Men’s Water Polo Brian Flacks’ staff as an assistant coach.
“Ben is the standard. He is one of the greatest water polo athletes in the world today and will go down as one of the best, if not the best, American water polo player in history and one of the greatest athletes ever to compete at Stanford,” said Flacks. “Beyond his accomplishments, he has been the perfect global ambassador for our institution and for the sport of water polo, representing both with class, humility, and excellence on the biggest stages in the world. His return to Stanford is a monumental moment in shaping the next chapter of our program.”
Hallock was a three-time All-America selection at Stanford, twice earning both the Peter J. Cutino Award and ACWPC National Player of the Year (2018, 2019). The native of Studio City, Calif. was part of the Cardinal’s NCAA Champion squad in 2019, his final season with the program.
“I’m incredibly grateful to return to Stanford Men's Water Polo and join the staff as an assistant coach. This program has meant a great deal to me, and the standards, relationships, and daily commitment to excellence I learned here have stayed with me throughout my career,” said Hallock. “Stanford is a special place because of the people and the culture that push you to be your best every day, and I'm excited to work with this group, help these athletes grow, and give back to a program that has given me so much.”
Hallock’s 194 career goals are the eighth-most in program history, coming in just three seasons of competition.
Internationally, Hallock’s resume is even longer. In the Paris Games, Hallock was named captain of the US team that took bronze. The hardware gave Team USA a medal in men’s water polo for the first time since 2008, and Hallock scored a pair of goals in the third-place game.
Hallock earned Total Water Polo Team Of The Olympics honors in 2024, after scoring seven times in the tournament.
Since making his international debut in 2015, Hallock has represented Team USA at the World Aquatics World Championships twice (2023, 2024), and been a part of first-place finishes at the Pan American Games twice (2019, 2023).
“What makes this truly special is that Ben is exactly what we look for in a Stanford student-athlete. While competing at the highest level and earning an Olympic medal, he pursued excellence as an undergraduate at Stanford and now continues to challenge himself intellectually at the Graduate School of Business,” added Flacks. “That balance and pursuit of excellence in every area of his life is what defines this place. We want student-athletes who strive to be exceptional not just in the pool, but in the classroom, in their leadership, and in the way they carry themselves. Ben embodies that completely.”
Professionally, Hallock is a three-time LEN Champions League winner with Pro Recco in Italy.
Hallock graduated in 2019 with a degree in economics, and is currently enrolled at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
“On a personal level, this is a full-circle moment for me. I had the privilege of coaching Ben when he was young and watching him grow into one of the best players in the world. To now work alongside him as a colleague, to learn from him, collaborate with him, and build this program together is incredibly meaningful,” continued Flacks. “As a coach, you hope to help young athletes grow into extraordinary competitors and even better people. Ben has done that at the highest level, and having him back at Stanford is special for both our program and for me personally.”