WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary Athletics Department announced that they have established an endowment in the name of Al and Gail Albert through the generous support of W&M Soccer friends and alumni.  
 
"The Al and Gail Albert Endowment is a great tribute to all the Albert family has given to grow William and Mary Men's Soccer," stated Tribe Head Men's Soccer Coach Chris Norris.  "It is a testament to the many lives they have positively impacted that so many former student-athletes eagerly and generously gave to create this endowment."
 
The initial gift, made by Tribe Men's Soccer Alumni and their families, is working toward reaching a goal of  $100,000.  The endowment was established to support student-athlete scholarships for the men's soccer program, and was announced during the Tribe men's soccer 50th anniversary celebration earlier this year.   
 
With an ultra competitive home schedule on the horizon, and a strong returning nucleus, there has never been a better time to be involved with the program!
 
"Gail and I are incredibly honored and humbled by the generosity of the men's soccer alums who surprised us with the endowment announcement during the recent Celebration of 50 Years of Tribe Men's Soccer," stated Al Albert. "It will be a real treat to have such a special connection to the young man who receives this aid to be part of our W&M soccer family!"
 
The Tribe is looking to building on the legacy Al Albert built in his 33 seasons at helm of the program.  When he retired after the 2004 season, he was the eighth NCAA coach to win more than 400 career matches, and only the third to have 400 wins at one school. His final career record was 401-187-64, which is a .664 winning percentage and included 12 NCAA Tournaments appearances.
 
He played soccer for William & Mary during the team's move from club to varsity levels. He graduated from W&M in 1969 and returned to be an assistant lacrosse coach before taking overhead coaching duties for soccer in 1972.
 
Albert is a co-founder of both the Virginia Legacy Soccer Club and Tidewater Soccer Camps, and has served as president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
 
"With the public announcement of the Al and Gail Albert Endowment, I am certain that many others who have the honor of knowing them will be compelled to give," said Norris, who is an alumnus of the program.  "We are heavily reliant on private funding to support the Men's Soccer program.  Since his retirement from coaching, Al has worked tirelessly to raise funds for William and Mary Athletics and specifically Men's Soccer.  I know it brings him great joy to see that the work he and Gail have done for many decades has inspired this endowment, which will directly support deserving Men's Soccer student-athletes and tangibly and appreciably further the program's pursuit of excellence."
 
To continue to support the Al and Gail Albert Endowment, click here and in the comment box write Al & Gail Albert Endowment.