Alberts to Represent US at Pan American Maccabi Games

Former head coach Al Albert will serve as an assistant coach, while his son and W&M alum Graham will compete for the US squad.

12/14/07 3:15PM

Williamsburg - The William and Mary men’s soccer program will be represented by a father-son duo at the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Former W&M head coach Al Albert was named an assist coach for the U.S. Open men’s soccer team last March and will be joined by Tribe alum and his son, Graham, who will compete for the U.S. squad. The Games will take place from Dec. 26, 2007 through Jan. 2, 2008.

The Alberts will join 50 families with two or more members competing for the USA at the Games. They will have the opportunity to experience international athletic competition, cultural and educational experiences with other members of Team USA and as a family.

It will not be the first time Al has worked with Maccabi USA. He was the junior boys soccer head coach in 1981, 1985 and 1993. Albert spent 33 years at the helm of the Tribe, racking up an impressive 401 wins, 12 NCAA bids and two trips to the Elite Eight. The 401 wins ranks ninth all-time for a head coach in NCAA Division I history. He is currently the president of the NSCAA. In addition to his impressive collegiate resume, Albert was one of the founders of what has now become the Virginia Legacy SC. Albert is currently the Associate Director of Athletic Development at W&M.

Graham will compete in his first Maccahi Games. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Tribe, playing in 65 matches with 57 starts and amassing 43 points on 16 goals and 11 assists. Graham was a two-time All-CAA selection, including earning first team honors as a senior in 2003. He was also a third-team NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region choice in 2003.

Over his W&M career, the Tribe went 47-32-8 and advanced to the NCAA in 2001 and 2002. During the 2002 cam-paign, the College advance to the NCAA Round of 16, before falling in overtime at Penn State. Graham is currently a financial analyst in New York.

Since 1948, Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel has sought to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the sponsor of the U.S. Team to the World Maccabiah Games in Israel. It also sponsors U.S. participation in Maccabi competitions in Pan America, Europe and Australia and supports Jewish youth through the JCC Maccabi Games.