West Point U.S. Military Academy

United States Military Academy Athletics
ODIA, 639 Howard Rd. West Point, NY 10996

Division 1 New York Northeast

Public Small National competitor

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Coaches

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Michelle Tumolo

Michelle Tumolo was hired as the Noto Family Women's Lacrosse Head Coach in June of 2021.

Tumolo led Army on an unprecedented run to the NCAA Tournament in her second season at the helm of the Black Knights, earning an at-large bid to the tournament. Tumolo was named Patriot League Coach of the Year following the season, as Army reached the Patriot League Championship game for the first time in program history behind a program-record 15 victories. The Black Knights broke into the national rankings for the first time in 2023, achieving a rank as high as 13 while ending the season ranked 14th in the ILWomen/IWLCA poll.

Army's efforts in 2023 included multiple wins over ranked teams, including a pair of victories over archrival Navy in both the regular season star series matchup and in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Black Knights first-ever win over a top-20 opponent came on the road at Jacksonville before Army defeated its first-ever top-10 opponent in Rutgers at home. Tumolo coached Patriot League Rookie of the Year and USA Lacrosse Magazine Second Team All-American Brigid Duffy to a program 82 points across the season, with Kathleen Sullivan, Jolie Riedell and Julia Franzoni all joining Duffy on the All-Patriot League First Team.

It was announced that Tumolo would join the staff of the USA U20 Women's National Team in the summer of 2023 as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024 U20 World Cup. Rising yearlings Brigid Duffy '26 and Allison Reilly '26 were also named to the U20 training squad for the world cup cycle. Tumolo.

It was announced in September 2023 that Tumolo received a contract extension to remain at Army, following the success of her first two seasons.

Tumolo led the Black Knights to a 12-6 overall record in her first season at the helm for Army, which featured a 7-2 mark in Patriot League play. Army reached a program-record 10-game winning streak through the middle of the season, and was able to defeat archrival Navy for the first time in program history. Army saw five cadet-athletes named to the All-Patriot League teams, including Julia Gorajek and Jolie Riedell on the first team, along with Carleigh Armstrong, Kathleen Sullivan and Ceara Sweeney on the second team.

Tumolo is no stranger to the game of lacrosse, as she boasts an impressive resume both as a coach and a player. Under her guidance, Wagner became one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference (NEC), making the conference championship game in 2021 after winning the NEC title in 2019. Prior to Wagner, the former All-American made stops at Oregon, Florida and Syracuse as an assistant coach.

“I am beyond excited and honored to be The Noto Family Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Army West Point! I want to first thank Kristine Fowler, Mike Buddie, Anthony Noto and the entire search committee for this life changing opportunity. The time I spent with each member of the committee, the more I learned about the greatness of this academy and program. I can’t wait to lead these incredible young women, who have chosen a path of leadership and service. I cannot wait to get started. Go Army!!”

With Tumolo calling the shots at Wagner, the Seahawks posted a combined record of 29-13 while making two conference championship games and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The team’s 16-4 mark in 2019 was good for the best winning percentage in the program’s history. Along the way, Tumolo mentored five NEC First-Team selections, two players-of-the-year and seven academic honor roll students.

Tumolo’s experience as a player has helped her create a number of high-powered scoring offenses at her previous destinations. While in Eugene, Tumolo coordinated the Oregon offensive attack as their top assistant coach. Thanks to her insight, the Ducks set a number of school records in 2018 while racking up 336 points for the second highest total in the program’s history.

Tumolo returned to Syracuse as an assistant coach for the 2016 season under Gary Gait, helping the Orange to a final four appearance. Before returning to Syracuse, Tumolo spent two-years at the University of Florida where her offense led the NCAA in goals per game with 15.52. The Gators posted a 33-8 record in her two years with the program, making the NCAA tournament in both seasons.

As a player, Tumolo was one of the most dangerous attackers in Syracuse history, ranking third on the school’s all-time points list with 278. In her junior season, Tumolo finished sixth on the NCAA points list with 78 while also being named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Award - given every year to the nation’s top women’s lacrosse player.

Tumolo’s talents on the field helped land her a spot on Team USA, where she competed in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Surrey, England in 2017. Her 12 goals and 17 assists helped Team USA take home the gold medal in England. After her outstanding performance in the tournament, Tumolo was one of seven U.S. players to be named to the All-World Team.

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Sammy Cermack

Sammy Cermack was named Associate Head Coach of the women's lacrosse program at Army West Point in August 2023.

Cermack comes to West Point following an nine-year stint at Lehigh, having served as associate head coach over the past six seasons. A native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Cermack also had a standout playing career at Johns Hopkins.

"I am thrilled to add such an awesome person and coach to our Army Lacrosse program. I have admired Sammy's success from afar for a long time, and I feel beyond fortunate to share a sideline with her. Sammy brings a wealth of experience and excitement to West Point and I can't wait for her to get started working with our cadet-athletes. I look forward to welcoming Sammy, her husband Kevin and son Rocky to our family!" - Noto Family Head Coach Michelle Tumolo

During her time in Bethlehem, Cermack played a significant role in recruiting as well as team travel, equipment and apparel. She also assisted in all areas of team preparation, including video breakdown, scouting and player development. Cermack was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 2018 season after spending three seasons as assistant coach, and has helped the Mountain Hawks to the Patriot League Tournament in every season during her tenure.

Cermack helped the Mountain Hawks to sustained success throughout her tenure, including a 12-6 overall record in 2023 with a trip to the Patriot League semifinals. This was coming off a 2021 season which saw Lehigh advanc to the Patriot League Championship Game for the first time since 2010, finishing the season 9-4 overall (6-1 in the league). Offensively, Cermack oversaw an offense that consistently produced, which included scoring 20+ goals twice (for the first time since 2009). The Mountain Hawks ended the regular season winning seven of their last eight games (which extended to nine of 10 with a pair of postseason wins). Lehigh defeated a ranked Navy team in the regular season (12-7), then beat the Mids again in the Patriot League Quarterfinals (13-12 in overtime) to advance to the semifinals. Cermack coached Sondra Dickey who was named a third team IWLCA All-American selection, becoming Lehigh's first All-American in ten seasons. Dickey was also named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List and tabbed Patriot League Midfielder of the Year honors .

In 2020, Lehigh started strong, recording a 6-2 record when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the rest of the season. The Mountain Hawks were averaging 14.50 goals per game at the time. In 2018, Lehigh went 13-6, including a school-record seven Patriot League wins with just two losses. From 2016-18, the Mountain Hawks posted a 38-17 record, among the most wins in the nation in that stretch. Lehigh reached the Patriot League semifinals in three of the first five seasons with Cermack on staff.

Cermack also enjoyed a stellar playing career at Johns Hopkins, posting 149 career points behind 98 goals and 51 assists capped off by a 59-point campaign in 2014. Johns Hopkins finished 15-5 in her senior season which resulted in an NCAA Tournament appearance. Cermack was named an IWLCA All-American following her senior year.

While at Johns Hopkins, Cermack was named first team All-American Conference, while also tabbing first team Mid-Atlantic All-America honors. In addition, she received the Blue Jays Unlimited Award given to the Johns Hopkins varsity senior athlete who most exemplifies the spirit of Blue Jays Unlimited by demonstrating team spirit and leadership, promoting team unity and morale, and enhancing the athletic experience of her teammates.

Cermack received several other awards and honors over her career, including second team All-Conference as a junior and Johns Hopkins Midfielder of the Year as a sophomore. She went on to play for the Philadelphia Force in the United Women's Lacrosse League beginning in the professional league's inaugural season in the summer of 2016. While in Baltimore, she worked as a coach for the Blue Jay Elite Camp which included skill instruction and demonstrations for high level school aged participants. Cermack graduated from Johns Hopkins in May of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.