Al Albert (soccer coach)
Encyclopedia
Al Albert is an American college soccer coach. Albert is best known for his longstanding tenure as the head coach of The College of William and Mary men's soccer program in Williamsburg, Virginia.
High School ('65). In those years, Albert was an avid sports fan passionately supporting Baltimore professional sports teams and playing neighborhood lacrosse. Albert left Baltimore to study at The College of William & Mary ('69) where he played lacrosse and soccer and majored in sociology.
Albert led the William and Mary "Tribe" men’s soccer team as head coach for 33 seasons before retiring from coaching in January 2004. He amassed a record of 401-187-64 (.664) during his tenure and became just the eighth coach in NCAA Division I history to reach 400 wins, and just the third to have earned all those wins at one school. Throughout the 1990s, the Tribe ranked as one of the top programs in the nation, placing eighth in wins (149) and 13th in winning percentage (.708).
Under his supervision, the Tribe strung together 29 consecutive winning seasons and 26 straight campaigns of 10 wins or more. This level of winning consistency has only been matched by a handful of elite soccer programs across the country: UCLA, Clemson, St. Louis, Indiana, SMU, and UVA.
Many of Albert's former players at William and Mary went on to have successful professional soccer careers; while many distinguished themselves in other ways outside the game. A great communicator, one of Al's trademarks at W&M was the way he connected personally with his players on and off the field - even after graduation.
In tribute to Albert's lasting impact on the landscape of sport at William and Mary, the university hosts all of its home soccer and lacrosse games at Albert-Daly Field
, named after Albert and long-time women's soccer head coach John Daly.
in Israel, earning the silver medal in 1981. More recently, he assisted Amos Magee
at the 2007 Pan-Am Maccabiah Games
where the U.S. men's open team won the gold medal defeating the host Argentina 2-0 in the final game.
were a dominant youth soccer team, based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Albert coached the Wizards for ten seasons; and his son was a player on the team. The Wizards, consisting of boys born in 1979 and 1980, traveled across the country and Europe competing against the best teams in their age group. At home, the team won six Virginia State Cup championships at u-11, u-13, u-14, u-15, u-16, and u-19.
with his wife. They have two children.
In semi-retirement, Albert is currently the Associate Director of Athletic Development at The College of William and Mary.
Early life
As a young man, Albert attended Baltimore City CollegeBaltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
High School ('65). In those years, Albert was an avid sports fan passionately supporting Baltimore professional sports teams and playing neighborhood lacrosse. Albert left Baltimore to study at The College of William & Mary ('69) where he played lacrosse and soccer and majored in sociology.
Coaching at William and Mary
In 1971 at the age of 21, Albert accepted an offer to be the full-time coach of the men's lacrosse and soccer programs at The College of William and Mary. Over time his love for lacrosse gave way to the world's game - soccer became increasing popular both on campus and across the country - by 1977 he was focusing exclusively on soccer at W&M.Albert led the William and Mary "Tribe" men’s soccer team as head coach for 33 seasons before retiring from coaching in January 2004. He amassed a record of 401-187-64 (.664) during his tenure and became just the eighth coach in NCAA Division I history to reach 400 wins, and just the third to have earned all those wins at one school. Throughout the 1990s, the Tribe ranked as one of the top programs in the nation, placing eighth in wins (149) and 13th in winning percentage (.708).
Under his supervision, the Tribe strung together 29 consecutive winning seasons and 26 straight campaigns of 10 wins or more. This level of winning consistency has only been matched by a handful of elite soccer programs across the country: UCLA, Clemson, St. Louis, Indiana, SMU, and UVA.
Many of Albert's former players at William and Mary went on to have successful professional soccer careers; while many distinguished themselves in other ways outside the game. A great communicator, one of Al's trademarks at W&M was the way he connected personally with his players on and off the field - even after graduation.
In tribute to Albert's lasting impact on the landscape of sport at William and Mary, the university hosts all of its home soccer and lacrosse games at Albert-Daly Field
Albert-Daly Field
Albert-Daly Field is a multi-use sports facility located in Williamsburg, Virginia on the campus of the College of William and Mary. It is home to the soccer and lacrosse teams for the college....
, named after Albert and long-time women's soccer head coach John Daly.
Community Partnership
The Soccer Community Partnership in Williamsburg, VA was founded by Albert in 2003 after his retirement from college coaching. The organization exists to provide local elementary school children the opportunity to play organized soccer regardless of socio-economic status. All of the programs are made possible by private donations and a legion of devoted volunteers. Hundreds of local children have participated in clinics, after-school activities, and the local recreational league through the Soccer Community Partnership.Maccabiah
Albert assumed the role of head coach of the U.S. men's open soccer team at the 1981 and 1985 Maccabiah GamesMaccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
in Israel, earning the silver medal in 1981. More recently, he assisted Amos Magee
Amos Magee
Amos Magee is the former head coach of the Minnesota Thunder. Magee received his bachelors degree from Wesleyan University and his masters in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota...
at the 2007 Pan-Am Maccabiah Games
Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
where the U.S. men's open team won the gold medal defeating the host Argentina 2-0 in the final game.
NSCAA
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America ("NSCAA") is the largest single sport coaching organization in the world. In 2006, out of 22,000 members worldwide, Al Albert was elected to serve as the NSCAA's 60th President. Today Albert continues to be an active statesman within the organization, where he supports various coaching and developmental initiatives. Albert was selected by the NSCAA as the 2011 recipient of the Association’s Honor Award. The prestigious Honor Award is the final presentation given annually at the NSCAA Awards Banquet.Tidewater Soccer Camp
Al Albert owned and operated Tidewater Soccer Camp for over 35 years. Tidewater Soccer Camp provided a soccer camping experience to thousands of young men and women from 1974 to 2009.Williamsburg Wizards
The Williamsburg WizardsWilliamsburg Wizards
The Williamsburg Wizards were a dominant American youth soccer team, based in Williamsburg, Virginia.-Team Formation:In 1989, Williamsburg Wizards head coach Al Albert went door-to-door to elementary school gym teachers in Williamsburg, Virginia asking them for names of the most athletic students...
were a dominant youth soccer team, based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Albert coached the Wizards for ten seasons; and his son was a player on the team. The Wizards, consisting of boys born in 1979 and 1980, traveled across the country and Europe competing against the best teams in their age group. At home, the team won six Virginia State Cup championships at u-11, u-13, u-14, u-15, u-16, and u-19.
William and Mary
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, Williamsburg WizardsWilliamsburg WizardsThe Williamsburg Wizards were a dominant American youth soccer team, based in Williamsburg, Virginia.-Team Formation:In 1989, Williamsburg Wizards head coach Al Albert went door-to-door to elementary school gym teachers in Williamsburg, Virginia asking them for names of the most athletic students...
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Personal
Albert resides in Williamsburg, VirginiaWilliamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
with his wife. They have two children.
In semi-retirement, Albert is currently the Associate Director of Athletic Development at The College of William and Mary.