Kurt Albrecht Hired as Illinois College Men’s Soccer Coach
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Illinois College Director of Athletics Mike Snyder has completed the search for a new men's soccer coach at IC with the hiring of Kurt Albrecht to lead the Blueboys into the 2015 season and beyond. Albrecht most recently coached at St. Ambrose University and also has Division III experience at Elmhurst College and Augustana College.
"I am thrilled to welcome Kurt to Illinois College," said Director of Athletics Mike Snyder. "It was evident throughout the process that Coach Albrecht had the experience we were looking for in our next head coach. With stops at Augustana, Elmhurst and St. Ambrose, Kurt developed strong ties in the Midwest recruiting scene that will help us as we continue to build a championship program."
A Chicagoland native, Albrecht earned a scholarship coming out of high school to play for DePaul University. After two years at the Division I school, he ended his career at Augustana College and graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2009. During his time as an assistant coach at St. Ambrose, he earned a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership.
An impressive and varied coaching career was launched by Albrecht before he had even completed his time in the classroom at Augustana. In the summer of 2008, he served as the Buffalo Grove High School boys' soccer summer league coach and took them to a second place finish in the North Suburban Soccer League. He then worked as an assistant coach with the Augustana women's soccer team for the 2008 season, helping the Vikings to a 15-4-0 mark.
Moving to Elmhurst College for the 2009 season, Albrecht became a men's assistant for the Bluejays for three seasons, helping the team win its first-ever CCIW title and earn its first berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. He then returned to the Quad-Cities where he spent two seasons at St. Ambrose University, leading the Fighting Bees to their first winning season in five years, as well as their first national ranking in 2013.
Following the 2014 season, Albrecht has spent the last few months in Florida as head coach of the CCSA Cyclones Select U16 Girls and U13 Boys teams. He's also worked in the Florida Olympic Development Program as a coach and scout, and has been the head coach of the Cape Coral Hurricanes of the National Premier Soccer League.
"I am very grateful to Illinois College and the Athletic Department for giving me this opportunity," Albrecht said. "I would also like to thank my friends and family for supporting me through this process. I am looking forward to building upon the success of this program, both in the classroom and on the field. I was impressed with the entire IC community's commitment to the student-athlete and I knew that I wanted to be a part of the IC family."
Albrecht will begin his duties with Illinois College immediately. The Blueboys get their 2015 season underway on Sept. 1, facing Webster University in a home match slated for 7 p.m.
