He comes directly from Sacred Heart University, where he served as head coach of the Pioneers for the past five seasons. His 2006-07 squad plcaed fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association, crowned on All-American and placed 40th in the nation. Under his leadership, Sacred Heart finished among the top half of the CAA all five years and was completing a steady climb toward the top 25 teams in the nation.
"Andy is a world class athlete and coach who will help our program get to the next level," Popolizio said. "His experiences of wrestling in the Olympics, coaching in the Olympics, as well as leading Sacred Heart to their first NCAA Division I All-American last year will be a valuable asset in our wrestling room."
In college, Seras compiled an undefeated dual meet career (64-0-2) at University at Albany. He was a four-time conference champion, four-time All-American and won the 1985 NCAA Division III National Championship. He is a distinguished member of both the NWCA Division III and Albany Halls of Fame.
Last September, Seras coached the US Greco-Roman Team at the 2006 FILA World Championship in Guangzhou, China. The team equaled its best ever performance, finishing third out of seventy countries. Team USA secured three medals, including a Gold Medal from Joe Warren at 60 KGS and Bronze Medals from Lindsey Durlacher (55 KG) and Harry Lester (66 KG). In 2004, he coached the US Olympic Greco Roman Wrestling Team and in 2005 US Junior World Team (19-20 years). He previously served as the US World Team Head Coach at the World Championship in 2001 and 2002, as well as leading the 2001 and 2003 World Cup Teams for Team USA.
Seras has received many National awards in his coaching career. In 2004, he was given the "Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award" presented "in recognition of outstanding accomplishments as a college coach who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student athletes." He was awarded USA Wrestling's "Greco Roman Coach of the Year" in 2001 and 2004, as well as, the US Olympic Committee's "National Wrestling Coach of the Year" in 2002.
The 43-year-old Seras has been involved in the sport for 35 years as an athlete and coach. He worked as an assistant coach at Albany from 1985-96 and at Sacred Heart from 1999-2002 before taking over as head coach. As an athlete Seras compiled an impressive resume, earning a spot on the 1988 US Olympic Team which competed in Seoul, Korea, placing ninth. Seras earned the No. 1 ranking in the country for six of seven years from 1988 through 1994. He competed in the World Championships five times, placing sixth in 1991, ninth in 1989 and 10th in 1994. He also won Gold Medals at the 1994 World Cup, 1990 Pan American Championships and 1991 Pan American Games. A five-time National Open Champion, Seras reached the finals of the nationals for 12 consecutive years.
A native of Niskayuna, N.Y., Seras is married to Karen and has two daughters Jackie and Morgan.
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