NORWOOD, N.J. -- More than 200 friends, family members, former student-athletes and professional colleagues gathered Sept. 16 to celebrate the distinguished career of former William Paterson University baseball coach
Jeff Albies, who announced his retirement June 21 after 33 seasons as the Pioneers' head coach and associate athletic director.
At the event, William Paterson retired Albies' #42 jersey, making him the first person in Pioneer athletics history to have his number permanently honored. In addition, several distinguished guests offered their thoughts and congratulations to Albies while addressing the audience at the Colonial Inn in Norwood, including
Arnold Speert, William Paterson University President;
Dr. John Martone, Vice President for Student Development;
Sabrina Grant, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics;
Mike Lauterhahn, who succeeds Albies as the Pioneers' baseball coach; and
Ashlee and Erika Albies, the two children of Jeff and his wife, Andie.
Albies coached two national championship teams and finished his career ranked eighth all time in Division III victories (862). Achieving a 862-401-15 (.680) record during his 33 seasons (1975-2007), Albies led the Pioneers to the 1992 and 1996 NCAA Division III national championships, six NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional titles (1982, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999) and the 1985 NCAA South Atlantic Regional crown. Seven times a participant in the College World Series (1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999), William Paterson qualified for the NCAA Tournament 18 times during Albies' tenure (1977, 1981-89, 1991-93, 1995-99) and won 11 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championships (1982-83, 1986-89, 1991-93, 1996-97).
Twenty-eight of Albies' charges were lauded as all-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), and 31 Pioneers went on to play professionally, including former New York Yankee Dan Pasqua ('82) and former Baltimore Oriole Bruce Dostal ('88). Six NJAC Players of the Year, five Pitchers of the Year and three Rookies of the Year benefited from Albies' instruction, while seven different Pioneers were named the New Jersey College Baseball Association (NJCBA) Division II/III Player of the Year and five earned the organization's Pitcher of the Year award. In all, 19 of his former players have been already been enshrined in the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame.
A member of both the American Baseball Coaches Association and the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Halls of Fame, the 26-time Coach of the Year honoree finished his career ranked eighth overall and sixth among active Division III coaches in victories (862), and 21st overall and 20th among active coaches in winning percentage (.680). The only New Jersey Division III coach to earn 850 career victories, he is one of just three Garden State college baseball coaches to reach that milestone (Mike Sheppard, Seton Hall, 1973-2003, 998-540-11; Fred Hill, Sr., Montclair State/Rutgers, 1977-present, 935-578-8).
