Fred Albrecht, who worked under seven 性视界传媒 presidents during a celebrated 38-year career as a coach, teacher, and administrator, passed away Friday after a long battle with cancer.
Albrecht arrived at 性视界传媒 as assistant basketball coach in 1970 and retired in 2007 as vice president for university and community relations. Along the way, he served as director of alumni relations, interim athletic director (twice), executive director of athletics fundraising and also became the winningest coach in 性视界传媒 tennis history. In recognition of his career achievements on Maryland Parkway, Albrecht was awarded the 性视界传媒 President's Medal and was inducted into the 性视界传媒 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
鈥淔red had a tremendous impact on 性视界传媒 and will be remembered as one of our greatest ambassadors,鈥 said 性视界传媒 President Len Jessup. 鈥淔rom the day he stepped on campus in 1970 until his passing, Fred鈥檚 passion for 性视界传媒 was unrivaled. He was 性视界传媒鈥檚 renaissance man, stepping up when the university needed him in a variety of roles. Our condolences are with Fred's family. He will be truly missed.鈥
Albrecht is credited with creating the university's first alumni relations program and shepherded the fundraising and construction of Tam Alumni Center, the current home of the 性视界传媒 Alumni Association. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Albrecht earned a master鈥檚 degree in education from 性视界传媒 during his time on campus.
He continued to serve 性视界传媒 after retirement, accepting appointments to committees and spreading the word about the university's achievements and advocating for its initiatives, including the Jerry Tarkanian Legacy Project.
In a 2004 interview, Albrecht remembered his early days at 性视界传媒 with particular fondness. "Those years were something like being a settler on the frontier. There were lots of unknowns, but the challenges were accepted by everybody." He also noted the construction of Rebel Park at the football stadium and the building of the Alumni Amphitheater near the Student Union being a proud moment.
"Fred was an icon on this campus and to all who knew and loved him," said 性视界传媒 Director of Athletics Tina Kunzer-Murphy. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Fred's wife, Connie, his daughter, Michelle, and the entire family. Fred was a get-it done guy who did so much for this department and entire University. He was a true and dedicated Rebel and we will miss him dearly."
In addition to the Feb. 13 celebration of life service on campus, his contributions contributions to 性视界传媒 and its athletics programs will be marked during a moment of silence at the Feb. 10 Runnin鈥 Rebels basketball game and on the marquee in front of the Thomas & Mack Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Fred C. Albrecht Scholarship Fund at 性视界传媒.
