Head Coach Jerry Block

Jerry Block completed his fifth season as head coach of the men's soccer team at Albion College in the fall of 2004. He led the Britons to a 10-9-1 record overall and a 8-6-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. Block helped breathe new life into the soccer program, which continues to improve, as Albion responded with it first winning season since 1998.

In addition to his soccer duties, Block works in Albion's admissions office.

Block brings a wealth of championship experience, both as a player and coach, to an Albion program that is making strides each year in a building process toward the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. In 2002, the Britons finished with a 6-6 league record and defender Josh Menig achieved all-MIAA first team and all-region second team status. In 2003, Albion finished fourth in the MIAA (its highest placement in the league since 1998) and sophomores Jeff Bennett and Chris Himes earned all-MIAA second team awards. In 2004, Albion finished in fourth place in the MIAA, just three points shy of third. Striker Jason Smith garnered all-MIAA first team status while Eric Johnson was an all-MIAA second team pick. In addition, Chris Himes was selected to the first team of the 2004 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District IV College Division Soccer Team.

As a collegiate player at DePauw (Ind.) University, Block finished his four-year career with the second highest point total in Tiger soccer history. DePauw teams compiled a 51-16-5 mark while Block was a member, making NCAA Division III tournament appearances in 1993 and 1994.

After graduating from DePauw in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, Block coached with development soccer clubs in Massachusetts and Illinois, and also served a season as junior varsity coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

From 1998-2000, Block served as an assistant coach with the Springfield College men’s soccer program. Considered “The Birthplace of Basketball,” Springfield also is known for its solid soccer program, highlighted by a 15-win season (15-6) and NCAA Division III tournament appearance in 1999. His coaching responsibilities included overseeing recruiting, as well as scouting and analyzing opponents.

At Springfield, Block also worked for the College’s Department of Athletics and Office of Alumni Relations while earning a Master of Education degree in Athletic Administration.

Assistant Coach Marvin Alexander

Marvin Alexander will join the Albion College men’s soccer program for the 2004 season as an assistant coach. Alexander will also work in an administrative capacity the Britons’ athletic department during the 2004-2005 academic year.

Alexander has spent the past two years coaching in Ohio, culminating in a master’s degree in exercise, sport and health studies from Miami University of Ohio in August of 2004. As the graduate assistant coach with the women’s soccer team at Miami, Alexander helped the RedHawks capture the Mid-American Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2002. Alexander also served as the head coach of Miami’s men’s soccer club team.

In addition to his coaching at Miami, Alexander held the position of director of soccer operations for Miami University-Trenton-Oxford-Preble County. In that position, Alexander worked with the area high school coaches to organize spring teams.

Alexander, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport, health and exercise from the University of Durham in England in 2002, served as a camp counselor and camp director at Playsoccer Camps in Marlborough, Mass., in 2000 and 2001.

Updated December 01, 2004 by Albion College Sports Information