PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Former Hartwick College men's soccer head coach Al Miller will be inducted into the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2026 on the evening of Friday, January 16.
A two-time All-America selection at East Stroudsburg State University, Miller began his coaching career in 1961, leading SUNY New Paltz to multiple conference championships and an appearance in the NCAA National Tournament. He later brought his success to Hartwick College, where he guided the Hawks for six seasons from 1968 to 1972.
During his tenure in Oneonta, Miller led Hartwick to five NCAA Championship appearances and helped secure the program's first-ever Final Four berth in 1970, cementing the Hawks as a national power during the early years of NCAA men's soccer.
Miller went on to make history at the professional level, leading the Philadelphia Atoms to the 1973 North American Soccer League Championship. With that achievement, he became the first American-born head coach to win a professional soccer title, earning NASL Coach of the Year honors.
His coaching success continued with the Dallas Tornado, where his teams earned four NASL playoff appearances, and later with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, capturing the 1982–83 indoor championship. In the mid-1980s, Miller transitioned into front-office leadership, serving in management roles within the Major Indoor Soccer League in Cleveland. As general manager of the Cleveland Force, his teams led the league in both attendance and revenue, and the Cleveland Crunch went on to win three league championships.
A long-time leader in coach education, Miller became a regular presenter at the NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches Convention beginning in the early 1970s. After assisting legendary coach Dettmar Cramer on the first national tour of the U.S. Soccer Coaching Schools, Miller was named National Director following Cramer's departure.
Beyond the field, Miller is the author of Winning Soccer and wrote and narrated a 13-part instructional film series titled Soccer for Everyone, further impacting the sport's growth at the grassroots and professional levels.
Miller's Hall of Fame honors include inductions into the United States Soccer Federation, Central Pennsylvania Soccer, Hartwick College, SUNY New Paltz, and East Stroudsburg University Halls of Fame.
His induction into the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame marks yet another milestone in a career that has shaped generations of players, coaches, and the sport of soccer in the United States. Al Miller joins fellow Hartwick greats, Glenn Myernick '77, Jim Lennox, and Francisco Marcos '68 to garner this prestigious honor.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
