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 Al Miller is truly
a renaissance man with an extraordinary record of
accomplishments both on and off the field. Born in Lebanon,
Pennsylvania he attend East Stroudsburg State College where in
1958 and '59 he was named to the All-American team for his play
as an attacking midfielder.
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Personal Information |
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Class of 1995 |
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Born: Ono, PA - December 17, 1936
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He went on to
coach the Albright College golf team to a Middle Atlantic
Championship before moving to New Paltz State University of New
York where he served as head soccer coach for five years. During
that period he won three NY Conference Championships and one
NCAA Atlantic Coast Region Championship.
He then moved to
Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, home of the National Soccer
Hall of Fame, where he won five NCAA NY Division I
Championships, leading his team to the NCAA semifinals in 1970.
His professional
coaching career commenced in 1973 when he was recruited by the
Philadelphia Atoms. And in his first year with the Atoms, Miller won the
NASL Championship, and was named Coach of the Year.
.jpg) What was equally
remarkable was that he guided Philadelphia won the 1973 NASL
Championship in their first year of existence (To this day this
is the only franchise to ever win a championship in its
inaugural year).
In 1974 Miller was
named as the United States Men's National Team coach. He went on to coach
the Dallas Tornado from 1976 to 1980, leading the team to the
NASL semifinals in his final year. After that he coach the
Calgary Boomers to the playoffs in 1981.
Soon after the demise of the NASL he
embarked on a successful soccer management career in the Major
Indoor Soccer
League (MISL). He served as the
General Manager of the Cleveland Force from 1984 to 1987 and
after a brief hiatus during which he served as General Manager
of the United States Soccer Federation national teams, coaches
and referees, he returned as President and General Manager of
the Cleveland Crunch.
His management
expertise was evident during his ten-year stint with the Crunch
where he not only compiled a record three MISL Championships but
equally as important set records for attendance and revenue.
 His talents were
not limited to the the soccer field. ESPN recognized his ability
to analyze and effectively communicate what was happening on the
field and hired him as as color commentator on ESPN's Mundial
Sports.
In his spare time
he also managed to develop and narrate a series of thirteen
films entitled 'Soccer for Everyone' as well as writing a
popular book 'Winning Soccer'. He has just finished
writing a chapter on Player Management for the 'The Soccer
Coaches' Bible' which is now available.
Somehow he and his
Dotty Ann found the time to raise five children (Karen, Kathy,
Molly, Wes and Andy). Al is an avid golfer and still plays
competitive racquetball.
They currently
reside in Wooster, Ohio where he is President of the Wooster
Area Chamber of Commerce.
Al was inducted
into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1995. |
