July 15, 1999
BERKELEY - Steve Heaston, who coached Cal's men's water polo team to three national titles in the last 10 seasons, passed away at his Pleasant Hill home Thursday morning after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 51. A memorial service for Heaston will be held at a future date.
"Steve's family wishes to thank everyone for their support over the past several months," Athletic Director John Kasser said. "Steve's courage and spirit are an inspiration to all of us, he will be missed by many, many people."
During his 10-year tenure as head coach of the Golden Bears, Heaston guided Cal to third place or better in the NCAA Tournament seven times. He led Cal to a second-place national finish in his first year as head coach in 1989 before taking the Bears to NCAA titles in 1990, '91 and '92. In 1993 and '94, his Cal squads placed third at the NCAAs, and in 1995 Heaston's young team placed second at the national championship.
Heaston was named conference Coach of the Year four times, most recently in 1995, and was voted NCAA Coach of the Year in 1990 and '92. He compiled an impressive 224-56 record for an .800 winning percentage.
Prior to accepting Cal's head coaching position, Heaston was an assistant for the Bears from 1982-88 under Pete Cutino. He was a part of seven NCAA title winning teams, having aided Cal as an assistant coach in the Bears championship seasons of 1983, '84, '87 and '88.
As well as coaching collegiately, Heaston was the assistant coach of the U.S. Olympic team that won a silver medal in the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. Most recently, he coached the U.S. team to a gold medal at the World University Games in the summer of '93 in Buffalo, N.Y.
Heaston launched his coaching career at Acalanes High School in 1971, a program that he built into a national powerhouse during his 10-year tenure. Acalanes captured six North Coast Section championships and produced 38 high school All-Americans along the way. When Heaston left his Acalanes position after the 1980 season, he owned a 183-57 (.763) career record.
A 1970 graduate of Fresno State, Heaston earned his master's degree in physical education from Saint Mary's College in 1982.
Heaston is survived by his wife, Marsha, and three children, Karen, Kristin and Brian.
Cal women's water polo head coach Peter Asch will take over as head coach of both programs, Kasser announced. Asch, a 1969 Cal graduate, led the women's team to a fourth-place finish at the national championship this past May in his first season as head coach. A former part-time assistant for the men's team, Asch was a standout water polo player who earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. team at the 1972 Olympics.
