RIVERDALE, NY — Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Kerri Inman is pleased to announce the addition of Alberto Garcia to the coaching staff. Garcia is tasked with overseeing the training of Manhattan's jumpers.
"I am thrilled to be bringing Al Garcia on board to join our diverse and talented staff," said Inman. "Al brings a wealth of knowledge as an athlete and coach and a diverse skill set having coached at the high school and college level as well as having worked in high school administration for many years. Al's coaching style is marked by preparation, professionalism and individual attention that the athletes will respond very well to."
Garcia is a popular name in track and field circles, having coached at LIU (1988-1994) and Staten Island's Our Lady of Good Counsel School (2000-2008); and serving as an assistant for Notre Dame Academy (Staten Island) from 2008 to 2014 before taking over as head coach at NDA (2014-2021). As head coach, Garcia brought NDA's program to new heights, overseeing seven consecutive outdoor and indoor CHSAA city championships, and spearheading an unbeaten streak in cross-country, indoor and outdoor titles which spanned five years. Garcia also led NDA to five CHSAA Catholic High School State Titles in cross country. In addition, while at the helm, the NDA girls team had the best finish ever by any CHSAA team at the NYS XC Federation Meet
In 2021, Garcia was appointed as an assistant coach at St. Francis Brooklyn by current Manhattan Director of Athletics Irma Garcia, who previously held the highest position for the Terriers' department for 16 years.
"We are thrilled to add a coach of high pedigree like Alberto Garcia," said Garcia. "I loved working with Al during our time together at St. Francis, and I am confident that he will pour everything he has into helping our student-athletes become the best version of themselves both on the track and in the classroom."
Garcia is also known for his exploits on the track during a career that brought him from Mount St. Michael's Academy in the Bronx to St. John's University in Queens.
At the Mount, Garcia won three CHSAA titles on the track, including clocking in at 4:12 in the 1600m and navigating the famed 2.5-mile course at Van Cortlandt Park in 12:37. Garcia recorded the fastest time at VCP of any Catholic-school high school runner in the 1980s decade. His success on the high school circuit was a preview to a remarkable run at St. John's, which included him running a 3:48 in the 1500m and helping set a school and state record in the 4x1500m relay. Garcia delivered a memorable performance at the 1987 Big East Championships; he scored in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the 5K and the 4x800m relay to help St. John's clinch the title.
In his heyday, Garcia continued his climb toward the mountaintop of runners in the city by winning the Metropolitan Section of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile in 1988.
"Manhattan University has a rich tradition in track and field," said Garcia, who was also a national outdoor champion in Puerto Rico. "I remember battling with Manhattan University while at St John's. Manhattan has always been a magnet for academic and athletic excellence, and that is why I was humbled and honored to join the program."
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