Acee Receives Pair of National Awards
12/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Dec. 21, 2007
Air Force lacrosse coach Fred Acee, now in his 11th season at the helm of the program, was recently honored with a pair of national awards. Acee was named this year's recipient of the Frenchy Julien Service Award from the USILA (United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association), while earning the Creators Award from the IMLCA (Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association).
The Frenchy Julien Service Award is presented in honor of the USILA's former Chief Referee, Joseph R. "Frenchy" Julien for outstanding and continuous service to the sport. Meanwhile, the Creators Award, sponsored by Nike, is bestowed periodically to an IMLCA member for achievements in the core areas of advocacy, leadership, education, honor, spirit and service to the game of lacrosse.
Acee has served the game of lacrosse for more than four decades. Prior to arriving at the Academy, Acee spent 30 years as the coach at SUNY-Farmingdale, where he created a national lacrosse powerhouse, capturing National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championships in 1977, 1981 and 1987. In his three decades at the helm, the Rams advanced to the NJCAA Final Four an amazing 25 times. His overall record of 312-119-1 (.723 winning percentage) at Farmingdale is testament to his coaching skills.
Over the years, Acee has received numerous honors. He was inducted into the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1994, Coach Acee was the defensive coach for the world champion United States lacrosse team, assisting then-Johns Hopkins head coach, Tony Seaman. Most recently, Acee was chosen as a 2005 inductee into the Junior College Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Acee also served on the executive board for the 1998 USA World Team and is one of the founders of the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association.
He also has served on the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Rules Advisory Committee and is a past president of the NJCAA Lacrosse Coaches' Association. In the summer of 2001, Coach Acee was honored for his lifelong contributions to the game of lacrosse receiving the USILA's Howdy Meyers Man of the Year award.
