Al Albert (soccer)

Al Albert authored the historical record William and Mary Men's Soccer (Images of Sports), published by Arcadia Publishing in 2010 as part of their Images of Sports series. The book is a 45-year retrospective of the program, and contains a foreword written by Tribe soccer's most famous alumnus, Jon Stewart of the Daily Show.[1]

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.[4]

Albert assumed the role of head coach of the U.S. men's open soccer team at the 1981 and 1985 Maccabiah Games in Israel, earning the silver medal in 1981.[5] 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.[6]

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.[5] Albert was selected by the NSCAA as the 2011 recipient of the Association's Honor Award.[7] The prestigious Honor Award is the final presentation given annually at the NSCAA Awards Banquet.[8]

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.[9]

The Williamsburg Wizards were a dominant youth soccer team based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Albert coached the Wizards for ten seasons. The team consisted of local boys born in 1979 and 1980. The team traveled across the country and Europe competing against the best teams in their age group. The Wizards won six Virginia State Cup championships at u-11, u-13, u-14, u-15, u-16, and u-19.[10][11][12]

• Jon Stewart 1984 – Host of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central
• Mark Goldberg – Former owner/chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club (played 1982 and 1983 only)
• Steve Christie – NFL veteran kicker (played spring only)
• Curtis Pride – Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter (played spring only)
• Greg Lalas – Soccer journalist (played 1990 only)
• Scott Budnick 1993 – American professional soccer player
• Paul Grafer 1996 – American professional soccer player and US Soccer Youth National Team Assistant Coach
• Steve Jolley 1997 – American professional soccer player
• Wade Barrett 1998 – American professional soccer player and former MLS coach
• Adin Brown 2000 – American professional soccer player
• Ralph Bean 2002 – Bermudian soccer player and coach
• Carlos García 2003 – Colombian professional soccer player

• Jeff Agoos, 1985 World Maccabiah selection – American professional soccer player
• Matt Behncke, Williamsburg Wizards – American professional soccer player
• Daniel Cruz, Tidewater Soccer Camp – Colombian professional soccer player
• Jarryd Goldberg, 2007 Pan-Am Maccabiah selection – American professional soccer player
• Noah Palmer, Williamsburg Legacy – American professional soccer player
• Gonzalo Segares, Williamsburg Legacy – Costa Rican professional soccer player