April 17, 2002

Columbia, S.C. – Norman “Yank” Albers, one of the creators of the USC Soccer Club, was killed Sunday night in a tragic car wreck in Florida. Albers teamed up with the late Dick Fernald in 1972 and initiated the University of South Carolina’s club soccer team. Head Coach Mark Berson later took over the team in 1978 when it became a varsity sport. Albers was also known for starting the USC-Aiken men’s soccer team.

Few details are known at this time, however it is understood that Albers was returning to his home in Zephyrhills, Fla. following a family function earlier in the evening.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Yank Albers,” stated USC Head Coach Mark Berson. “He was one of the real pioneers of soccer in the state of South Carolina and one of the founding fathers of the University of South Carolina varsity program.”

Source: USCSPORTS.COM