PHS and John Muir High School Water Polo Rivalry Comes to Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

[photo credit: City of Pasadena]

Athletes from John Muir High School and crosstown rival Pasadena High School (PHS) will meet after all.

But it won’t be on the football field.

Instead, Pasadena’s crosstown rivalry is coming to the pool as the Bulldog and Mustang water polo teams square off in the “Tuna Tussle” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC), 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena.

The matchup brings the two Pasadena Unified School District rivals together at the RBAC Competition Pool for an evening of high school water polo, school pride and community spirit.

The contest dates back to the early 1960s when the Mustangs began their water polo program. At that point, Pasadena High School’s program had been ongoing for several years.

“Anytime Muir and PHS meet even if they’re playing chess, there is going to be extra intensity,” said Patrick Lancaster, who has coached at both schools and played at John Muir in the ’70s.

At stake is the vaunted tuna trophy. The trophy was created by PHS student Mike Maloney from a tuna can in the ’70s.

For John Muir High School Athletic Director Alfredo Resendiz, the game is an opportunity to showcase local student-athletes while bringing the two school communities together.

“The Tuna Tussle is about more than just the competition in the pool,” Resendiz said. “It’s a chance for our student-athletes to represent their schools, compete in a great environment and bring our communities together. We’re grateful to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center for giving our athletes the opportunity to compete at such an incredible facility.”

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is proud to provide a stage for local student-athletes and welcome the Pasadena and Muir communities for the rivalry game.

The evening will include team introductions ahead of the game, with the opening sprint scheduled for 6 p.m.

The event comes after the annual Turkey Tussle was canceled after Pasadena High School announced its varsity football team would forfeit the remainder of its games due to safety concerns.