June 25, 2009

USAFA, Colo. - After serving as the interim head coach during the 2009 season, Eric Seremet has been officially named the head lacrosse coach at Air Force, as announced today by Deputy Director of Athletics Col. Billy Walker.

Seremet, whose career has also included stints at Dartmouth (1993), Stony Brook (1997-2000) and Cornell (2001), served as the Falcons' top assistant from 2002-2008 before guiding Air Force to a 7-7 overall ledger in 2009, including a 4-1 record in the Great Western Lacrosse League and a second-place conference finish.

"I can't begin to express my excitement at formally announcing Eric Seremet as our head coach," said Walker. "He's been a critical member of our staff for eight years and did an unbelievable job as our interim head coach this past season. Eric's selection, together with our move to the ECAC this upcoming year, has generated a great deal of excitement for Air Force lacrosse."

Air Force's seven wins this past season were the most since 2006 and more than in the previous two seasons combined, while the team finished at .500 for the first time since 1997. In addition, the Falcons' four GWLL wins were a school-record, while their second-place league finish matched a program-best (set previously in 1995).

A late-season surge by Air Force in 2009 saw the Falcons win four-straight contests, including their first win over Ohio State since 1997, to earn their first-ever bid to the GWLL Championship tournament. Over the course of the year, Air Force averaged nine goals per game, its highest offensive output since 1997, while allowing just 8.93 goals per contest.

A 1992 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Seremet was a four-year lacrosse letterwinner for the Tar Heels. He was a starter on the 1991 national championship team and a member of four ACC championship teams (1989-92). In addition, Seremet has several years of professional playing experience, as an eight-year member of the National Lacrosse League. Seremet began his pro career in 1993 with the Boston Blazers and has also played for the New York Saints, Syracuse Smash and Colorado Mammoth.

Seremet, who will lead Air Force in the newly configured ECAC Lacrosse League beginning in 2010, takes over the reins from the legendary Fred Acee, who retires this summer after more than four decades as a lacrosse coach.

"I also can't say enough about what Fred Acee has done for Air Force lacrosse," said Walker. "He's a nationally respected legend of the sport and he took our program to unprecedented levels. He and his wife, Linda, are valuable members of the Air Force family and we'll miss them greatly."