Albie Loeffler – the founder of the Staples (Conn.) High School soccer program – died Sept. 6, one day before his 94th birthday. Loeffler is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a referee. One of the premier soccer officials in the nation, he refereed the first-ever two-man system college game, as well as the first NCAA Division I final.
He retired as Staples soccer coach in 1978 with a then-national record 314 wins. His teams won 13 FCIAC championships – including five in a row – and seven state titles (including a then-national record five in a row). More than 175 of his players went on to play college soccer; many became captains, and several enjoyed professional careers.
Current Staples head coach Dan Woog said: “The Staples soccer community – all of Staples, in fact – has lost a legend. None of us who love Staples soccer would be here today without his quiet leadership and determined vision. He created something that has positively impacted thousands of lives directly, and tens of thousands more indirectly. I would not be who I am had I not known Albie Loeffler – and I know countless others say exactly the same thing.”