After 34 years, Sam Albert has decided to step down to become an assistant coach (“Kiski Area football coach Sam Albert hangs up head coach’s whistle after 3 decades,” Nov. 20, TribLive). He was a great coach, mentor and motivator.
My first contact with Albert was after his first season at Highlands at the football banquet. During a “rose ceremony,” he called each senior to the stage, gave him a rose and asked him to present it to someone in the audience who influenced his life. I turned to my wife and said, “That is the man I want coaching our son for the next three years.” Anyone who can make 17-year-olds think about someone other than themselves I wanted influencing our son. We went on to win conference championships and a lot of games over those next three years, but that night told me all I needed to know about the man.
Albert taught his players about doing everything in life in a first-class manner (nothing to do with money but everything to do with your actions). My son has 65 brothers that he still has a lifelong bond with thanks to Albert. He was quoted as saying his success came from how he related to his players: “If they believe in you and they know that you love them and care for them, then they’ll do anything for you.” We need more coaches like Sam Albert.
Mike Choma
Buffalo Township