Lava Bear Coaches

Tia grew up in Newberg, Oregon, where she played water polo since she was 7. Her high school team won two 6A Oregon State Championships, and then she played club polo at Oregon State University. This will be Tia's third year coaching Bend High Water Polo.

Tia moved to Bend in 2022 to work for Deschutes County Health Services. She's loving living, hiking, paddle boarding and exploring Central Oregon with her boyfriend and her dog, Smokey. 

She's so excited to be coaching the Bend High Girls Water Polo Team!”

Michael Bird began coaching the Bend High boys’ water polo team in 2024. 

Michael started playing water polo over 20 years ago in Lodi, California. When his family moved to Central Oregon, there was no club or high school water polo to join. The Bird family was instrumental in the founding of water polo in Bend. 

Michael is honored to coach the Lava Bears as an alumnus of Bend High Water Polo, graduating in 2013. Michael was a team captain all four years of his high school career, and earned 2nd Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Conference, and Conference MVP his freshman through junior years. His playing career was cut short due to a back injury his senior year and he remained a part of the team as an unofficial player-coach. Michael would continue to serve as assistant coach for the following two years. 

Go Bears!

Andy played water polo and did swimming alongside head coach Michael Bird for four years at Bend High School graduating in 2013. He played with his two brothers and many other close friends who have remained great friends to this day. Andy captained both water polo and swimming teams his senior year and is passionate about giving back to Bend High. 

Since moving back to Bend in 2018 after graduating with his Chemical Engineering degree, Andy has enjoyed working for Cascade Lakes Brewing Company and reintegrating with the community. Outside of work Andy enjoys trail running, biking, and being outside with friends.