There’s something poetic about finishing where you started. Three-time Olympian Alex Obert is about to do exactly that—step back into the University of the Pacific pool that launched his water polo career, this time to say goodbye.
On Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m., Obert will play his final moments in a Team USA uniform during an exhibition match against Team Italy at UOP. The catch? He’ll only be on the clock for the last two minutes of the second quarter. It’s a small slice of playing time for a guy who’s logged serious miles across three Olympic Games—Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021, and Paris 2024—but it’s the punctuation mark on a remarkable career.“It’s been awhile since I played,”Obert said.“I’ve stepped into dad life the last few years but I’m excited to get back in with a few of my teammates I trained with and get one last goodbye.”
That last Olympics was supposed to be his swan song anyway. Obert had actually retired before the Paris Games, then made the comeback decision to compete in 2024, where he helped Team USA secure bronze—the first medal for the men’s water polo program in 16 years. This time, the retirement is real. USA Water Polo itself is orchestrating the celebration, which is how you know it’s official.
But here’s what makes this moment bigger than one player’s final lap: these exhibition games are building momentum for what’s coming in two years. The LA 28 Summer Olympics are on the horizon, and Team USA is using this summer series—seven games against three different nations—to sharpen the squad while giving Sacramento-area fans a genuine Olympic-level experience without the airfare. Obert, who grew up in Loomis and graduated from Del Oro High School, is essentially helping write the opening chapter of that Olympic story for his home region.
What’s equally noteworthy is what Obert’s doing off the water. In 2025, he became the first collegiate general manager of the UOP Water Polo Team—a forward-thinking move by Coach Graham that speaks to how the program invests in its alumni. Obert scored 157 goals during his UOP career and clearly isn’t ready to leave the sport entirely. Stepping into the GM role let him give back to the program that“gave me everything,”as he put it.
Tickets are $30 and available through USA Water Polo. Whether you’re a water polo devotee or just curious about what Olympic-caliber play looks like up close, Friday night offers both: the chance to honor a local legend and to get a preview of what the LA Games will bring to California. That’s worth showing up for.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
