A two-time All-American, Lindroth led UCLA to a 73-4 overall record and three NCAA Championships in four years. He was a freshman on UCLA's first-ever NCAA championship team in 1969 and led the Bruins to two more titles in 1971 and 1972. Lindroth scored three goals in the 1971 championship game and was selected the Tournament MVP in 1972.
A member of the U.S. National team from 1970-83, Lindroth helped Team USA win a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics, the first medal for the Americans in 40 years. He was also a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team (boycott) and a member of World Championship teams in 1973, 1975 and 1978. He helped the U.S. win Pan American Games gold in 1979 and silver in 1975. He was also a member of the 1983 FINA Cup championship team.
A winner at every level, Lindroth won a CIF championship in high school at Newport Harbor, multiple NCAA championships at UCLA, and a variety of medals won internationally with Team USA. Domestically, Lindroth won nine AAU Senior National Outdoor titles, all part of a storied career in the pool.
Lindroth was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1988 after playing in over 100 international matches. He was recently inducted into the UCLA Athletic Department's Hall of Fame as part of its 35th class on Oct. 5, 2018.
Memorial service information:
Saturday, July 20, 11:00 a.m. PT
Church at Rancho Bernardo
11740 Bernardo Plaza Ct.
San Diego, CA, 92128
The family is asking guys to wear Hawaiian shirts (Tommy Bahama, etc.) and sandals and women in happy colors in celebration of Lindroth's life.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to:
UCLA Men's Water Polo
Checks made out to
Bruin Water Polo
Attn: Adam Wright, MWP
UCLA Athletic Department
P.O. Box 24044
Los Angeles, CA 90024-0044
Or a memorial donation may be made to:
Melanoma Research Alliance
1101 New York Avenue, NW Suite 620
Washington DC, 20005
Please indicate the gift is in memory of Eric Lindroth
Summary of Lindroth Career:
Clubs: Phillips 66, Fullerton Aquatic Club, So. Cal. All Stars, Industry Hills
College: UCLA
High School: Newport Harbor H.S.
Playing Record: H.S. 1967-68, UCLA 1969-72, Club 1969-73 Phillips, 1974-75 Fullerton, 1976-79 So. Cal. A.S., 1980-83 Ind. H.
Participation:
- AAU Sr. National Championship Team outdoor nine (9) times
- US Pan American Team 1975 (silver) Mexico City MEX VII
- US Pan American Team 1979 (gold) San Juan PR VIII
- US Olympic Team 1972 (bronze) Munich GER XX
- US Olympic Team 1980 Moscow, Soviet Union (Boycott)
- Member of US National Team 1970-83
- Member of the World Championship Team 1973, 75, 78
- CIF Champions 1967
- NCAA Champions 1969, 71, 72
- FINA Cup Championship team 1983
Honors:
- High School All-American 1967, 68
- CIF Player of the Year 1968
- NCAA All-American 1970
- MVP NCAA Championship 1972
- Lawrence Johnson Award 1981
- AAU All-American 1971, 72
- MVP AAU Sr. National Championships 1974, James E. Lee Award
- Played in over 100 International matches so honored
- USA Water Polo Hall of Fame 1988
- UCLA Athletic Department Hall of Fame 2018