2021 Recreation Alumni Award Albert Man

Albert joined the Recreation department as a coach for the lacrosse team in 1996-97, during his first year of graduate school at UC San Diego. He was the head coach from 1997-2004, assistant coach from 2005-2007, and head coach again from 2008-present. “It's hard to narrow down the list of special moments or teams, because I'm getting old now and they are all pretty special to me. I just enjoy every step of the entire team and season building process, which is completely different every year… when I see a player take a huge leap, the team really starting to gel, and when everyone's hard work finally pays off, [that’s special]. I enjoy those moments of planning, reflecting, celebrating, or even agonizing about the team with the other coaching staff.” Albert also shared about how meaningful their annual alumni weekend is, “it’s like the best kind of family reunion to me.” He has also enjoyed many off-field memories and impactful moments, like officiating the wedding of alumnus, Jeremy Adams, and his wife Madalyn, celebrating with other lacrosse alumni who were present. Albert has supported generations of Tritons on and off the field, and his commitment to the student experience is profound. His generous contribution along with over four decades of lacrosse alum kick started the UCSD Men’s Lacrosse Excellence Endowment that will ensure the team is supported for many more generations to come and long after he leaves.

When asked what UCSD Recreation means to him, Albert shared, “UCSD Recreation is special because it is one of the departments that the students join, by choice, to enhance and enjoy their college experience. For the players in the UCSD lacrosse program it is a level higher, and probably the most significant part of their college experience. We run the UCSD Lacrosse program so that players have a true collegiate student-athlete experience, and players choose it themselves - they make that significant sacrifice and time dedication. Recreation's support of the UCSD Men's Lacrosse team means a lot to me. Two of the biggest supporters of the lacrosse program through my 25 years here were Scott Berndes and Liz Henry, our Sport Clubs Directors for most of those years.”

Albert shares that when you are working for Recreation, its more than a job, and it’s really important to know that you are helping make the students’ UCSD experience a better one. Albert is still the head coach of the Men’s Lacrosse program, and when he’s not putting his Triton degree to use with his work in Biotech, he is working on his recent passion project as Managing Partner of Local Roots. “We brew incredible tasting Hard Kombucha's, a better-for-you alcohol, and we have tasting rooms & a brewery in Solana Beach and Vista.”