The Buffalo Bandits announced Monday that Ted Sawicki has been named the team's head coach for the 2000 season.

Sawicki, a resident of Stony Creek, Ontario, has been an assistant coach for the Bandits the last four seasons and was associate coach last year.

"Ted was a natural choice," said Bandits general manager Kurt Silcott. "He's been with our organization for a number of years, and he knows the players pretty well. We are confident that his background as a coach and a player has prepared him to take the next step as head coach of the Bandits."

Sawicki replaces Les Wakeling, who was not retained by the Bandits after a disappointing 10-15 record at Buffalo's helm the past two seasons. Wakeling was the victim of extreme expectations, following a vastly successful six-year stint by current Toronto coach Les Bartley.

Sawicki has spent the past few weeks assisting the Canadian Lacrosse World Team at the recently-completed World Games in Baltimore.

As a goaltender for the Detroit Turbos, Sawicki was named team MVP in 1989, 1990 and 1993. Sawicki set the record for saves in a game, sixty-three, in a 1989 game, a mark which still stands. He won a league championship with Detroit in 1991, and added another championship ring as a coach with the Bandits in 1996. He also played for the Baltimore Thunder and for Team Canada at the 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Championships.

The Outsider's Guide contributed to this article. Thanks to Bandit for providing the article.