Pegasus Water Polo Academy Board of Directors


 

Michael Slaughter, Chairman of the Board

Michael Slaughter has been a member of the Pegasus board since 2016, serving previously as Secretary. Over that time, he has been head of recruiting and fundraising efforts for the club, as well as actively working to promote water polo in North Texas. Michael is a native of Dallas and serves as Managing Director of a private real estate finance company.

Houston Hall, Chairman Emeritus

Houston Hall grew up in Dallas and played water polo for two Texas state championship teams at St. Mark’s in 1975 and 1977. He played varsity water polo at Harvard University for four years and was Co-Captain and MVP his senior year. He continues to play for the Dallas Masters Water Polo group of Pegasus. He has been actively involved in promoting the growth of water polo in Texas for the past 12 years. In addition, he has been a member of the USA Water Polo Board of Directors for the past six years. Houston is a professional investor focused on publicly-traded securities.
 

Nikola Zivaljevic, MD President and Director

Nikola Zivaljevic was born and raised in Germany and started playing water polo as a youth during summer vacations in Montenegro. He has established a water polo club in Pittsburgh and since moving to Dallas and establishing his Hand Surgery practice he has helped form and develop Pegasus Water Polo Academy.

Spencer Dornin was a member of the USA National Team from 2000-2007 (World Championship Team in 2005). He was a four year starter, All-American, and team captain at UC Berkeley before playing professionally in Hungary, Italy, and Australia.  After retiring from professional water polo, Spencer was an assistant coach for the varsity water polo program in Laguna Beach, California in 2007-8.  He coached in San Francisco from 2008-20012 with the SF Tsunami master’s team and the Palo Alto varsity high school women’s team. Since moving to Dallas in 2012, he has been coaching at St. Marks School of Texas. Email Coach Spencer

Tom Daulton, Treasurer and Director

Tom Daulton, a New Mexico native, was a four year varsity swimmer and water polo player at the University of New Mexico.  He was co-captain his senior year.  Since moving to Dallas in 1981, he has continued to be active in masters swimming and water polo.  For the past 15 years, he has competed at the US masters nationals water polo tourney with his college teammates.  He has also been active coaching and supporting DISD water polo since 2010.

 

Mihai M. Oprea, Director

Mihai Oprea was a PE Teacher from 1997 through Spring 2020, Head Varsity Coach and Aquatics Coordinator at St. Mark's for Water Polo and Swimming (and Team Handball).  In addition, for 19 years Mihai served as the Men’s and Women’s Head Coach of the Dallas Water Polo Club. Prior to coming to the US, Mihai trained as a player in 1984 – 1985 on the Steaua Bucharest, Elite League.  From 1986 – 1991 he served as Player and Assistant Coach for “Sportul Studentesc” water polo team – Romanian Elite League. Mihai received his B.S. in Physical Education and Coaching; “Institute of Physical Education and Sports”; The Coaching School of Water Polo, Swimming and Diving, Bucharest, Romania. and M.S. in Physical Education and Coaching; “The National Academy of Physical Education and Sports”, Bucharest, Romania. Mihai was also the head coach of Trident Water Polo Club and St. Mark's Water Polo.  Mihai returned to Romania in the summer of 2020 to open and manage a new natatorium and health and wellness center in Bucharest.  He regularly organizes, sponsors, and leads summer trips for Pegasus athletes to train and compete in Eastern Europe during the summers.