Brine Corp renewed its contract with Kevin Cassese as a member of the Brine Pro Player R&D Team. Brine Corp also announced that it has signed an official equipment supplier agreement with the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks Men's Lacrosse Team, where Cassese holds the position as the head men's lacrosse coach.  Brine will supply the Mountain Hawks with lacrosse heads, helmets and protective gear through the 2009 season.


Kevin Cassese, a former two-time All-American, three-time ACC selection and two-time captain at Duke University, has been a member of Brine's Pro Player R&D team since graduation from there in 2003. The Brine Pro Player R&D Team is an elite group of lacrosse players who are driving Brine’s research and development program. As a member of the R&D Team Cassese works closely with the men’s lacrosse category brand managers, improving on the offensive and defensive lines of lacrosse equipment, as well as lacrosse apparel and footwear. Cassese also represents Brine at various grassroots events across the country.


“I have had a relationship with Brine on many levels throughout my lacrosse career. I have been using Brine gear throughout my high school, collegiate, professional and coaching careers.” said Cassese. “Every NCAA Division I team that I have been affiliated with as a player and coach, Duke University and Stony Brook University, has used Brine gear. I wanted to ensure that the players at Lehigh University would also be playing with the best quality product on the market.”


Prior to being named the head coach at Lehigh, Cassese served as an assistant at his alma mater since 2005, helping lead the Blue Devils to an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Division I championship game. He also served as Duke's interim head coach for part of the summer of 2006. Prior to Duke, Cassese spent one season at Stony Brook as an assistant where he directed the nation’s top extra man offense and helped the Seawolves to a 10-6 record in 2004.


“We are looking forward to many great years ahead in our relationship with Coach Cassese as a member of the Brine Pro Player R&D team and as the head coach at Lehigh,” said Brine's General Manager Dale Kohler. “We are proud to have Kevin in the Brine family. He has had great success as a player and a coach, recently taking home the Major League Lacrosse Championship with the Philadelphia Barrage and leading the Duke Blue Devils to an NCAA championship appearance this past season. He has been a great inspiration to everyone in the lacrosse community.”