Al Miller, the first ever coach for the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team, will be honored as the recipient of the 2019 Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award. He will be presented this award at the United States Soccer Convention this January in Chicago.
The Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award honors the legacy of former soccer coach Walt Chyzowych,. The award is given to those who have dedicated their lives to the game of soccer in America, and exemplify the principles of life and sport as upheld by Chyzowych.
Miller had his first head collegiate coaching position at SUNY New Paltz starting in 1961. He coached the Hawks for six years and achieved a record of 42-10-2, leading the team to NCAA Atlantic Coast Regional Tournament finals in 1963 and the championship title in 1965.
"I had a great group of young men and they gave everything to be successful. I learned that athletes with character when challenged respond and achieve things they never thought possible" said Miller. "These men were my first players and we are all proud of what they accomplished. We dreamed big dreams and made them come true."
Miller was inducted into the SUNY New Paltz Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.
After his final season coaching the Hawks, Miller went on to coach at Hartwick College where his team earned six NCAA Tournament appearances. He complied a record of 64-12-3 over six years and holds the highest winning percentage for any Hartwick soccer coach.
Miller accepted his first professional coaching position in 1973 with the Philadelphia Atoms of the North American Soccer League (NASL). He led the Atoms to a NASL championship title during his first season, which earned him The Sporting News Professional Coach of the Year.
He continued coaching as an assistant for the U.S. Olympic and national teams. In 1975, Miller was offered the position of interim head coach for the U.S. men's national team, while also continued coaching in the NASL for years.
In 1995, Miller was inducted into the Hartwick Athletics Hall of Fame, and into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
