Special Delivery from Italy: Jacopo Parrella Leads Fordham Men’s Water Polo into the Postseason
Since Jacopo Parrella arrived in the Bronx from Italy sight unseen—Fordham Head Coach Brian Bacharach did not meet his star freshmen until he got to campus in early September—the first-year Ram water polo player has been an object of attention in Northeast polo circles. One of the highest-profile recruits in Fordham polo history, the 19-year-old Parrella brings from his native country a stellar resume of success, one that has helped the Rams (23-6; 11-1 MAWPC) to the best season in program history.
He won a European Championship in 2019 as a member of the Italian U18 side. Parrella followed that up with a silver finish in early September as Italy dropped a 10-8 decision to Serbia in the 2021 FINA World Junior Championship final, the sport’s most prestigious age group tournament. As a player for CN Posillipo, he was a starters on a club competing in Italian Serie A1 competition, among the world’s best professional leagues.
Parrella competing for CN Posillipo in the Italian Serie A1 league. Photo: CN Posillipo
From his first dip in the water with the Rams on September 12—he opened his Fordham career with a hat trick against St. Francis, Brooklyn—Parrella has been a reliable scoring option. He’s second on the squad with 50 goals and first in assists with 55—an impressive first season total of 105 points. He doesn’t shrink from the spotlight; his golden goal gave the Rams a scintillating 14-13 OT win in the Bronx against Bucknell on October 31.
The Rams will need his moxie as well as scoring touch when they open the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Championships this Friday against Mount St. Mary’s at Navy’s Lejeune Hall. On the line this weekend is the first-ever NCAA berth for one of college water polo’s storied programs.
At a poolside discussion following Fordham’s match Friday versus St. Francis, the fantastic freshman spoke about his hectic transition from Italy’s national team to Ram freshman, the hopes that he and his teammates carry going into the MAWPC Championships and how a boy from Naples finds his way around the Bronx.
- You finished FINA Junior Worlds on September 5, got on a plane and came to New York City—where you played in a match a week later. How have you managed this series of events?
Basically, the first weekend I was very scared—the first change is the referees. Your referees are American referees. I have to learn about American water polo, but I like it. I like to play at Fordham.
I’m very competitive so it doesn’t matter if I play in Europe or America or other countries. I always play my best.
- You came at an opportune time; this is the best season that Fordham men’s water polo has ever had. How is it to be a part of this?
When Coach Brian called me last year and explained the plan, I knew that it was a very good plan. We have a good team with a lot of talent. I’m happy because I feel our team could also play in Europe. This is just our first year but we have [another] three years [to develop].
For now we have to focus on our championship next weekend.
- This is what you live and play for; the chance to win championships.
Fordham’s Jacopo Parrella
All competitive players, their aim is to win. All the players in Fordham, especially this year, want to win [and] want to show that we are a good team. That this year, Fordham is a new reality.
- You are here in the U.S. but aren’t there clubs and universities in Italy that would have loved to have someone with your ability playing for / studying with them?
I chose Fordham because here I can both play and study. This is the problem in Europe with water polo. Like in other European countries, [athletes] can’t play and study together.
As for my family they are happy if I am happy. I miss my home, my city but I’m doing this for me for them—and in one month I come back [home].