BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. - St. Francis College Director of Athletics Irma Garcia has announced Ilija Duretic ('17) has been elevated to Head Men's and Women's Water Polo Coach. Duretic, an alumnus of the College, was named the head coach of the men's water polo team on Aug. 13, 2021.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Terriers women's water polo team," said Duretic. "After a successful first season with men's water polo in the fall, I am honored to help guide the women as they return to the pool for the first time since 2020."
Duretic was previously a four-year student-athlete on the Terriers' men's water polo team from 2013-17.
"We are thrilled to have Ilija lead both water polo programs going forward. I was incredibly impressed with his work with the men's water polo team in the fall, leading the Terriers back to the Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship. He understands the ideals St. Francis College embodies and has shown he is equipped to serve our student-athletes," said Garcia. "I look to forward to seeing how Ilija can continue to develop our student-athletes in and out of the pool, and continue to advance the program as a whole!"
The SFC alumnus made a great impact in his first season as head of the men's team in the fall, bringing the Terriers back to the Northeast Water Polo Conference Championship for the first time since 2013, and guiding them to their first runner-up finish since 2017. Under his guidance, Aleksa Sisakovic and sophomore defender Adonis Vlassis were named to both the All-Conference and All-Tournament teams. Sisakovic went on to be named an
"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," said Duretic as he discussed being named the Terriers' Head Coach.
Duretic returned to the deck as the Terriers' Head Coach in 2021 after most recently serving as the boys' and girls' water polo Head Coach at Saint Andrew's High School in Florida from 2019-2020.
Before he took over both programs at Saint Andrew's, Duretic was the water polo Head Coach for the Florida Atlantic University Water Polo Club from 2018-2019. While at the Florida Atlantic University Water Polo Club, he guided the team to a third-place finish in the State Championship.
His coaching career began right on Remsen Street as he was the water polo Head Coach for the Brooklyn Heights Water Polo Club for the U14 and U16 teams from 2013-2015.
As a student-athlete, Duretic helped lead the Terriers to the NCAA Final Four in 2013. During his freshman season, he was named CWPA Rookie of the Week twice, and scored three goals in the Terriers' NCAA play-in game victory against UC San Diego. All throughout his career as a student-athlete at St. Francis, he was a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) Academic Honor Roll and received Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic Superior Team honors.
Duretic also achieved great success on the National level as a player. He was a four-time Junior National Champion of Serbia, as he was a member of the Serbian Junior National Team.
The Terriers women's water polo team opens play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference on Mar. 19 at 9:00 a.m against LIU.
