2012 Army Lacrosse Guide

Page 29

2010 PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

“There is no better institution in the country to get an education, to learn about leadership, or to learn about yourself than West Point. It is the kind of place that, if you choose to come here, you’ll be different when you leave. Certainly, there will be challenges, but you will have the strength of your teammates, your coaches and all those around you for support. If you are willing to meet those challenges head-on, you’ll be a better person for it. I’m not sure there is a nobler thing than to serve your country. It says a lot about who you are.” - ARMY HEAD COACH JOE ALBERICI

second-straight appearance in the Patriot League Tournament Championship game. Two of his players - attackman John Walker ‘06 and defenseman Matt Luyster ‘06 - capped their Army careers with Honorable Mention All-America honors while leading the squad to its ninth-straight season with at least eight victories against one of the toughest schedules in the country. Alberici’s tenure at Duke coincided with the Blue Devils’ rise to national prominence, which culminated in their magical run to the Division I title contest in 2005, a game in which they fell 9-8 to top-ranked Johns Hopkins. Ranked second in the nation behind the Blue Jays for much of the spring, Duke forged a remarkable 17-3 ledger and established an NCAA record for victories in a single season. Two of Duke’s losses were one-goal defeats at the hands of Johns Hopkins, including an 11-10 double-overtime loss at JHU’s Homewood Field in early April. e Alberici’s duties at Duke included recruiting director, assisting with the e daily administration of the program, serving as the Blue Devils’ defensive e coordinator and coaching the team’s goalkeepers. After serving as offensive ht coordinator and working with Duke’s man-up offense during his first eight nyears, he assumed the roles of defensive coordinator and coach of the mand down defense during his final season. He was promoted to associate head coach in 1999.

In his present role as the face of Army’s storied program, Alberici has assumed control of a club that remains intertwined with the rich history of collegiate lacrosse. In 94 seasons, the Black Knights have amassed 725 victories, trailing only Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Navy in all-time wins at the Division I level. Army has produced eight national champions, while 12 men associated with the program (eight players and four coaches) have been enshrined in the National Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame. Alberici served a term as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Lacrosse Team at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England, helping the Americans to the gold medal. In 2007, he was also appointed to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Board of Directors, the sport’s national governing body. Alberici and his wife, P Petra, etra, son, Maximus, and

reside at West Point with their daughter, Isabella.

e During Alberici’s nine years on head coach Mike Pressler’s staff, the Blue e Devils forged a sparkling 96-47 (.671) record, made seven appearances in the n NCAA Tournament - including a run of six-straight postseason trips between 1997 and 2002 - and captured a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference titless n (2001 and 2002). The Blue Devils reached the Final Four for the first time in e 1997, Alberici’s initial year in Durham, before embarking on their remarkable n postseason run in 2005. Under Alberici’s watchful eye, Duke ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, surrendering just 6.91 goals per game. h, Alberici spent the 1995 and 1996 seasons at West Point as an assistant coach, and helped the Black Knights to a 10-5 showing and an NCAA appearance e er in 1996. Army won its final five games that season, including victories over Hofstra, Navy and Rutgers, to earn the Academy’s 12th postseason berth. A 1991 graduate of Alfred University, Alberici was a two-time lacrosse All-lAmerican in 1990 and 1991 and also garnered Academic All-America a accolades as a senior. A four-year starter at attack, he set six school scoring g records and led the Saxons to winning seasons in 1989, 1990 and 1991. A three-time team captain, Alberici led the entire nation, including all three divisions, in assists as a junior, garnering 78 helpers in 17 contests for a 4.6 assist per-game average. In 2001, Alberici was inducted into Alfred’s Hall of Fame. Following graduation, Alberici remained at his alma mater for two years in the e role of graduate assistant coach, earning his master’s degree in education in n 1993. He accepted his first head coaching assignment soon thereafter when n he was named to the top post at SUNY Oneonta. In 1994, the Dragons forged an 8-6 record and established a single-season n school record for victories, earning Alberici Empire Lacrosse League Coach of the Year laurels. It was on the heels of that spectacular season that Alberici ci made the move to West Point. A native of Auburn, N.Y., Alberici was inducted into the Auburn High School ol Hall of Fame in 2008, joining his older brother, John and father, Gino, ass enshrinees.

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