A look around the four walls of Jeff Albies’ office provides a timeline through a glorious era of William Paterson baseball. It is something of a Pioneer baseball museum, with Kodak moments, all-America plaques and framed newspaper clippings decorating nearly every available inch of wall space. Even the entrance to his office has giant articles from when the Pioneers captured their Division III national championships in 1992 and 1996.
Indeed, Albies has accomplished nearly everything a man could in his coaching career. He has mentored all-Americans and Major League Baseball draft choices. He has seen his players become successful in their non-baseball pursuits. As far as individual achievements go, he is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and William Paterson University Alumni Association Halls of Fame – honors usually bestowed upon a coach at the time of their retirement, only he appears as if he could keep going forever.
You see, Albies has never been one to rest on previous laurels, which explains the enduring success of the Pioneer baseball program. Entering his 33rd season, he owns a career record of 843-386-13, just the tip of the iceberg of one of the best resumes ever assembled in Division III. Albies has led William Paterson to two national championships, seven trips to the Division III College World Series, 11 New Jersey Athletic Conference crowns, 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and 26 Coach of the Year awards. Twenty-eight of his charges earned all-America honors, and 31 players signed professional contracts. He enters the 2007 campaign fourth among active coaches and eighth all time in Division III in victories, and he is tied for 19th all time in winning percentage.
When Albies took the William Paterson job on a part-time basis in 1975, there were those who doubted he could succeed with a long-dormant program. He simply shrugged off the criticism, using a formula predicated on diligence, teaching proper fundamentals and relating well to his student-athletes. The latter served him especially well on the recruiting trails, as the Pioneers began attracting some of New Jersey’s top high school players.
In 1977, Albies’ third season, the Pioneers earned the first of their 18 NCAA Division III Tournament bids under the legendary coach. This streak continued through the years when he lured prospects such as Dan Pasqua, a product of nearby Harrington Park who helped William Paterson slug its way into their first NCAA Division III College Word Series in 1982 before getting drafted by, and going on to play for, the New York Yankees.
Although the Pioneers lost in the Series in 1982, there would be more to celebrate in seasons to come. In their fourth trip to the Series, William Paterson finally broke through. A Ralph Perdomo blast gave the program a victory over California-Lutheran and the Division III national championship, capping a memorable season.
After the customary water-bucket dousing, Albies built upon his legacy in 1996. The Pioneers beat California-Lutheran again for the
Division III title, only this time the winning home run came off the bat of Mark DeMenna. It was the same result, though: a selfless team with great camaraderie and talent forming a celebratory pile on the pitcher’s mound.
Albies’ passion for the game has extended off the field, where he has served as the national baseball chairperson of the NCAA Division III Championship and Mid-Atlantic Region committees. In addition, he has been on the NCAA Division III All-America, NCAA Selection and Legislative Action, and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) committees. He has also coached in the prestigious Cape Cod League that showcases the nation’s top college players each summer.
Prior to his coaching career, Albies played second base in the Atlanta Braves’ organization from 1965-68 before playing professionally in Canada from 1969-70. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Long Island University in 1968, a master’s in health and physical education at Hunter College in 1972 and an administration and supervisory certificate from Fordham University in 1975.
As much fun as the game is, he also enjoys off-the-field pursuits such as cooking, fishing, traveling and going to Broadway plays with his wife of 37 years, Andie, with whom he resides in Hillsdale. They have two daughters: Erika (31) and Ashlee (28).