Fairfield Prep Names New Lacrosse Coach

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Prep has named longtime Yale assistant men’s lacrosse coach Graham Niemi as the next head coach of its lacrosse program.

Niemi has spent the past 13 years as the Defensive Coordinator (2004-2006) and Offensive Coordinator (2007-2016) for the Yale University men’s lacrosse team. He was also responsible for all of the on and off campus recruiting and prospect evaluation for Yale Lacrosse.

Niemi replaces longtime Fairfield Prep coach Chris Smalkais, who announced his retirement after 29 seasons last month.

In his time at Yale, Niemi coached eight all-Americans, four Ivy League Tournament MVP’s and 27 All Ivy League players, according to a press release from Fairfield Prep.

Read more from the press release below:

Yale has seen a rapid rise in success in their lacrosse program with Niemi as a coach, participating in the NCAA tournament in 2016, 2015, 2013 and 2012. Yale was also Ivy League Tournament champions in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 with Niemi on staff.

Before Yale, Niemi made coaching stops at University of Maryland, Loyola College and Washington College with various roles on the staffs.

Niemi also served as the head coach of the Finland Lacrosse National Team from 2006 through 2008.

As a player Niemi was a four-year letter winner and a two-year starter for the University of Maryland, where he participated in four NCAA tournaments and made it to the NCAA Division I final in 1995.

In addition to his college coaching experience Niemi also founded the Bulldog Lacrosse Club where he has worked with some of the best Connecticut high school talent over the past 11 years.