His is one of the more inspiring stories you’ll ever hear, but the humility of Tye Dutcher as he begins his 2nd year as the head coach for both the GCU Men’s and Women’s Club Water Polo programs keeps that story in the background while he focuses on building a relatively young GCU Club Sports program to prominence. While this is Dutcher’s first coaching job, overseeing the Lopes is less a job than the culmination of a lifelong dedication to the sport.
Dutcher first found the love for water polo in his hometown of Merced, California, when he jumped in the pool at the age of five and worked diligently to improve at his craft. At the age of 11, however, Dutcher endured a horrific lawn mower accident that resulted in the amputation of his lower left leg. Career in the water over? Not even close. The resilient and God-fearing Dutcher used it to renew his faith and focus, realigning as a swimmer and water polo player, earning All-State honors at both at Auburn Riverside High School, then changing gears after graduation to train as a Paralympian swimmer.
His drive and talent came to fruition at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, where he qualified for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in four different events. A year later, Dutcher went even further to represent his country, competing in six different events at the 2017 World Championships, and earning bronze medals in both the 100 meter backstroke and the 100 meter medley relay. He capped off his player resume’ with a gold and two bronze medals at the 2019 Parapan American Games.
Then, after earning his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from DeVry University with an emphasis in small business management and entrepreneurship, Dutcher retired from swimming at the age of 24 to focus on family and an even more prominent career. Since then, he moved to Phoenix, began training with Phoenix Swim Club and eventually jumped at the opportunity to take over the Lopes’ teams in 2023.
Dutcher even met his wife, Emma, while working as a barista in the Phoenix area. The two are now celebrating their 5th year of marriage, and welcomed their first child, Danny, into the world a little over a year ago.
Now Dutcher’s focus is on being a husband, father, head coach and inspiration to his Lopes’ teams.
