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Mike Cerino Resigns at W&L to Return to Limestone

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Washington and Lee Athletic Director Mike Walsh has announced that Mike Cerino has resigned as Head Men's Lacrosse Coach effective June 30 to return to Limestone College as Head Men's Lacrosse Coach and Associate Athletic Director.

"It has been a genuine pleasure to work for Washington and Lee University during these last five years," said Cerino. "I have enjoyed coaching a wonderful group of student-athletes and will miss my associations here. This position at Limestone provides me the opportunity to redirect the lacrosse program and move into athletic administration, while providing a unique opportunity to join my extended family in South Carolina."

In his five seasons at Washington and Lee, Cerino posted a 53-24 (.688) record and won two Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament Championships. His 53 wins over his first five seasons are the second-most by a W&L coach in school history, trailing only Jack Emmer's 60 victories. Cerino helped maintain a level of success that has seen W&L post 17-straight winning seasons, the best stretch in program history.

Cerino's initial squad in 2002 notched a 14-4 overall record, won the ODAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals. His 2004 team also went 14-4 overall, was the first team in ODAC history to go undefeated through the conference regular season and tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Additionally, Cerino's three NCAA Tournament wins are also tied for the best in program history.

"We thank Mike for five years of outstanding service to Washington and Lee University," said Walsh. "He has been an excellent coach and an exceptional emissary for our athletic department and University. We are very proud of the accomplishments of his teams and wish Mike every success in his new career opportunity. We are pleased that he leaves us with a program that is healthy and forward looking."

Cerino founded the lacrosse program at Limestone in 1990 and established it as one of the top Division II programs over 11 years, helping the Saints win 2000 National Championship.

Washington and Lee graduates just two players from its' 2006 team that went 7-6 overall with five losses to programs ranked in the Top 10. W&L returns 89.5 percent of its' scoring and five all-conference players, including the entire starting defense.

A national search for Cerino's replacement will begin immediately.

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Limestone College announced today that Mike Cerino will return as the men’s lacrosse coach. Cerino began the Saints lacrosse program in 1990 and concluded his time at Limestone by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2000. For the past five seasons, he has been head coach for Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., where he has also been highly successful. Cerino’s career record is 133-80, for a .625 winning percentage.

Cerino decided to come back to Limestone because of a strong bond with the lacrosse program and the College.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” said Cerino. “When you spend over a decade building something you cannot help but want to see it do well. Limestone Lacrosse is very dear to me and my family.”

He looks forward to continuing the success of the program when he takes the helm next fall.

“The lacrosse team will be built on the same foundation I started it on,” Cerino commented. “Players and coaches with character, strong team defense and attention to detail.”

Cerino left behind a huge legacy when he stepped down from the coaching position at Limestone in the fall of 2000. He founded the program in 1990 and had an 80-56 record (.588) during the 11-year period. During that time, he guided the Saints to three conference championships and a NCAA tournament berth. Additionally, the team earned a top-10 national ranking in the final Division II poll of the season on eight occasions.

For his success, Cerino was named Deep South Conference Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1998, and was the 2000 Street and Smith’s College Lacrosse USA Division II Coach of the Year. He is also a two-time recipient of the Jim "Ace" Adams National Sportsmanship Award from the National Intercollegiate Lacrosse Officials Association. Twenty-seven of his players were named All-Americans and 32 earned All-Deep South Conference honors.

After leaving Limestone in 2000, Cerino took a faculty and varsity head coaching position at Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, N.C. He then moved to Lexington, Va., to coach for Washington and Lee University. Cerino posted a 53-23 record in five seasons, while leading the team to two Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships and two NCAA Division III tournament berths. He was also named ODAC Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2004.

Cerino first came to Limestone after serving as Defensive Coordinator for the Victorian State team in their triumphant effort in the Australian Under-17 National Championship.

He has served on the USILA Division III All-America Committee, the National Ranking Committee and the NCAA men’s lacrosse executive committee. In 1996, he was chosen by his fellow coaches to be the coach for the South team in the 53rd Annual Division I North/South Classic.

After an outstanding playing career at Pfeiffer University, Cerino earned his bachelor of science in economics in 1988. He also earned a master’s degree in physical education from Gardner-Webb University in 1996.

At Limestone, Cerino will also serve as Associate Athletic Director and teach physical education courses.

James Dietsch Joins Limestone's Coaching Staff

GAFFNEY, S.C.- James Dietsch will join the Limestone College men's lacrosse coaching staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. He will also serve as the Saints Athletic Department's Director of Tutorial Services. Dietsch will bring valuable experience to Limestone including coaching stints from the youth to intercollegiate levels and directing of academic support programs.

Dietsch is no stranger to winning. As an assistant coach for the University of Maryland's men's lacrosse squad, he helped the team to five appearances at the NCAA Division I National Championship Final and two national titles in 1973 and 1975. The Terrapins also advanced to the National Tournament on five other occasions and won eight Atlantic Coast Conference Championships.

He served as the Academic Coordinator for the University of Maryland athletics department and was responsible for the design, implementation and supervision of the Terrapins' Athletic Academic Support Program.

In addition to his lacrosse coaching duties, Dietsch also was the head men's soccer coach at Maryland. Under his leadership, the team advanced to the NCAA tournament in 1976 and was runner-up in the ACC in the same year.

More recently, he was an assistant lacrosse coach at Catonsville Community College from 1987-2005, before taking the helm of the program in 2005.

Dietsch comes to Limestone from Laurel, Md., where he was an administrator and teacher at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School since 1987. He served as the school's assistant principal from 2004-05, was a Health Education and P.E. Instructor, and developed curriculum for the Montgomery County Public Schools.

He has also been active in the community, volunteering his time with the Maryland Special Olympics, Maryland Senior Olympics, and the Maryland State games. Dietsch was also an advisor for the NCAA Volunteers for Youth.

Dietsch's daughter, Erika, was a 2003 cum laude graduate of Limestone and a member of the women's soccer team.