Honoring the Legacy of "His Lordship"
Support the Peter J. Accardy Pool Naming Campaign
For more than four decades, Coach Accardy built one of the most dominant programs in NCAA Division II history—right here at CSUN.
As head coach of the CSUN men’s swim team for 24 years and the women’s team for 15 years, Coach Accardy led the Matadors to a record-setting 13 NCAA national team titles, coached over 300 All-Americans, and made history as the first coach in NCAA history to win both men’s and women’s titles in the same season (1982). He was later named the NCAA Division II Coach of the Decade for the 1980s.
His greatest legacy wasn’t just what happened in the pool. It was the impact he had on generations of student-athletes—as a mentor, leader, and builder of character.
Today, we have the opportunity to honor Coach Accardy’s extraordinary legacy by naming the CSUN pool in his honor—and creating lasting support for the future of Matador aquatics.
CSUN’s aquatics offerings currently include NCAA division I women’s water polo, which continues to benefit directly from this facility. The team is consistently ranked among the top 25 programs in the nation. Most recently, they earned a 3.46 team GPA, with 15 student-athletes named to the ACWPC All-Academic Team.
We aim to raise a minimum of $1 million to secure naming rights for the CSUN pool and to establish a legacy fund in Pete’s name.
Funds raised will go toward:
- The official naming of the CSUN pool as the Peter J. Accardy Pool.
- Installation of a recognition wall honoring Coach Accardy’s legacy.
- An endowed scholarship for aquatics student-athletes.
- Renovations to the aquatic’s locker room and clubhouse.
- Installation of a permanent aquatics record board and historical display case.
The campaign is structured around clear fundraising milestones. This approach ensures transparency, accountability, and steady progress. Each milestone unlocks a meaningful part of the overall vision, including legacy displays, major facility renovations, and long-term scholarship support.
Campaign Milestones:
- Milestone 1: $250,000
- Activation of the Peter J. Accardy Aquatics Endowment
- Installation of an Aquatics Record Board
- Creation of a Swim and Dive Historical Display Case
- Milestone 2: $500,000
- Renovation of the Aquatics Clubhouse
- Milestone 3: $750,000
- Renovation of the Aquatics Locker Room
- Milestone 4: $1,000,000
- Installation of the Pool Naming Recognition Display
- Official renaming of the pool to the Peter J. Accardy Pool
We invite alumni, the CSUN family, community partners, and friends of Coach Accardy to contribute to this meaningful campaign. Let’s carry Pete’s legacy forward and ensure that future generations swim in the wake of his greatness.
If you’re interested in making a pledge or setting up a multi-payment gift, please contact Isaiah Thompson at (818) 677-4620 or Isaiah.Thompson@csun.edu.
#GoMatadors
*All donors will be invited to the Peter J. Accardy Pool Naming Ceremony and honored for their support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can I contact if I have any questions about the campaign?
For more information about the campaign or ways to give, please contact: Isaiah Thompson at (818) 677-4620 or at Isaiah.Thompson@csun.edu.
2. What is an endowment, and why is it important?
An endowment is a permanent fund where the principal is invested, and the annual earnings are used to support a specific purpose. For this campaign, the endowment will fund annual scholarships for CSUN aquatics student-athletes and support the long-term upkeep of recognition displays. Your gift helps build a lasting legacy in Coach Peter J. Accardy’s name for future generations of Matadors.
3. Who benefits from this campaign?
In addition to honoring Coach Accardy’s legacy, this campaign supports both current and future CSUN student-athletes, particularly the women’s water polo team. The pool is also used by the College of Health & Human Development (HHD) for academic programs, and it occasionally hosts community events during the summer. Your support will have a lasting impact across the campus and the local San Fernando community.
4. Can I make a pledge now and donate later?
Yes! Donors can make a pledge now and fulfill it at a later time. If you're considering making a pledge, please contact Isaiah Thompson at (818) 677-4620 or Isaiah.Thompson@csun.edu to set it up and discuss payment options.
5. Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. All gifts made through the CSUN Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. A receipt will be provided for your records once your gift is processed.
