Former University of Albany Athletic Director & Wrestling / Soccer Head Coach Joe Garcia Dies at Age 87

Albany, N.Y. - Joe Garcia, who served the University at Albany as director of athletics, wrestling head coach, men's soccer head coach and associate professor of physical education, died on Sept. 18 in Foxfire Village, N.C. He was 87.

Garcia, who was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985, came to UAlbany nearly 50 years ago and promptly founded the varsity wrestling program. Garcia coached two All-America wrestlers and received the NCAA Wrestling Coaches Association 25-year award. He was made a member of the New York State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1977 and served on the NCAA Wrestling Executive Committee.

In addition, Garcia was the school's head men's soccer coach from 1950-68. In that period, UAlbany produced six All-Americans and more than 20 student-athletes who were chosen as New York State All-Stars. He also coached the varsity baseball team from 1950-55 and was the junior varsity basketball coach during that same period.

Garcia also served the physical education, athletics and recreation division as director of athletics from 1973-77 and for five years previous to that appointment as associate athletics director. He was a member of several administrative groups, including the ECAC tournament selection committees in basketball, lacrosse and soccer.

A 1949 graduate of the University of Illinois where he was a two-time Big Ten Conference runner-up in his weight class, Garcia worked as a graduate teaching assistant and assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University for one year prior to arriving in the Capital Region. He earned his master's in education from UAlbany in 1958. During World War II, Garcia served his nation as a sergeant in the Pacific with the 892nd Combat Engineers and was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Garcia is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two children, Michael and Rebecca. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Southern Pines, N.C.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information