Lehigh coach Cassese named to role as assistant for U.S. Men’s National Team along with Pietramala, Tambroni

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/10/12
From Press Release

Lehigh men’s lacrosse coach Kevin Cassese has been named an assistant coach for the 2014 U.S. men’s national team, as announced on Friday. He will join a staff led by former Navy head coach Richie Meade, who was named the United States’ head coach in December. Also on Meade’s staff are Dave Pietramala (Johns Hopkins) and Jeff Tambroni (Penn State).

Cassese will serve as one of three assistant coaches at the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships, hosted by US Lacrosse from July 10-19, 2014 in Denver, Colo. The U.S. men’s national team is seeking its 10th world championship after reclaiming the gold medal at the 2010 FIL World Championships in Manchester, England.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named a member of the Team USA coaching staff,” said Cassese. “I want to thank Coach Richie Meade and US Lacrosse for selecting me. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with the U.S. National Team’s program as a player, and more recently a coach, since 1999.

Cassese recently coached the United States to an exhibition win over Denver in the Champion Challenge on Jan. 29. He is 4-0 as a coach in U.S. exhibition games, also defeating his alma mater Duke in Stars & Stripes Weekend while earning wins over Harvard and Notre Dame last season. One highlight as a player came when he co-captained the United States to a 12-10 win over archrival Canada in the summer of 2010 to capture the gold medal at the FIL World Championships

“Coach Cassese has been involved in the international game for more than 12 years,” Meade added. “He’s an expert at international lacrosse and the face-off game, and his familiarity with the current player mindset will help him relate really well.”

“Representing the United States of America at the highest level our sport has to offer is not something I have ever taken lightly,” said Cassese. “I look forward to contributing in any way possible to make sure the gold medal stays on U.S. soil for four more years.”