SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco men's soccer team mourns the loss of Hall of Famer and All-American Serge Burenin, who passed away last Thursday. The three-time letter winner played for the Dons from 1958-61.

"Serge Burenin was a Don through & through," said Joe Dugan, men's soccer radio analyst and former men's soccer player. "He held the men's soccer program in great regard and was one of the program's biggest fans over the years. USF Soccer is better off because of Serge's unwavering support. With Serge's passing we have lost a giant of USF men's soccer. May he Rest In Peace."

Burenin was born in Shanghai, China, in April 1939 to parents Nicolai and Eugenia. His early years were spent constantly on the move – starting in Shanghai and Peking, to Tsingtao, and eventually to a camp for Russian refugees in the Philippine Islands.
 
Ultimately, Serge and his family emigrated to the United States, settling in San Francisco.  He attended Aptos Junior High and George Washington High School, where he blossomed as an All-City Soccer player.  There he caught the eye of legendary head coach Gus Donoghue and was offered a scholarship to attend the University of San Francisco.
 
The center back played three seasons for the Dons, two under Donoghue and one under Bob Braghetta.  When asked what drew him to the University he said, "USF is an excellent business administration school, and its reputation for an outstanding soccer program." Burenin always admired previous USF soccer players Bob Braghetta, Steve Negoesco, and Gus Donoghue and had the privilege of being coached by all three of them.
 
In three seasons, he went 21-4-1.  His first year on the pitch he helped guide the Dons to a perfect 8-0-0 record, capturing USF's 11^th consecutive Northern California Intercollegiate Soccer Conference championship. The Dons outscored their opponents by an amazing 65-2 goal difference. USF boasted lopsided wins over California, Stanford, Santa Clara, and San Francisco State en route to a final fifth- place ranking in the soccer polls.  He earned the first of his two all-conference awards that season, taking home All NCISC Honorable Mention honors.
 
In 1961, after missing the 1960 season, Burenin led the Dons to their second NCAA Tournament appearance, where they fell in the opening round to runner up St. Louis. Head Coach Bob Braghetta went on to call that contest Burenin's finest of the season, even though he was playing on a pulled hamstring.  That February he would be named a Second Team All-American.
 
Following graduation, Burenin's playing career was temporarily halted.  He began his long career in financial services with Merrill Lynch – however, that was soon interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army.  As a naturalized citizen, he was all too proud to serve.  Following basic training, upon recognizing his soccer talent, the Army sent Serge to Stuttgart, Germany to join the US Army soccer team. After being honorably discharged, Serge returned to San Francisco to resume his Merrill Lynch career.
 
A number of promotions led Serge to move, starting with a journey across country to Pittsburgh, Pa where he met the love of his life, wife Ginger. He also had stops in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York.  Serge and Ginger eventually settled in his native San Francisco.  Upon retirement, his love of fast cars saw him search out racetracks across the country so he could race his red Ferrari.
 
Burenin remained an avid sports fan late in life, and Serge and Ginger regularly attended numerous baseball games as loyal Giants' fans.  He also attended World Cups in France, Germany, and the United States.
 
Serge is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ginger, his brother, Walter, and many nieces and nephews.