WATERBURY, Conn (March 1, 2011) Al Sokaitis, in his first season as head coach of Post University's men's basketball program, has been named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year. It is the seventh time in his storied coaching career that Sokaitis has received the honor and the fourth time in his last six years coaching.

“This is an incredible honor for Al and it is very well deserved,” said Anthony Fallacaro, Post University Athletic Director. “Al took over the program late in the recruiting year and was able to construct a formidable class in a short period of time but more importantly, he was able to get the returners to work well with the new group and adapt to his system quickly.”

Sokaitis turned the Post University basketball program around leading the Eagles to a 14-4 conference and 16-10 overall mark entering the playoffs. It is the best record the Eagles have had since the 2002-2003 season. The team is currently riding a seven game win streak, the second longest in the last decade.

“Coach of the Year is a team award,” said Sokaitis. “It is a tribute to players who 'buy in' to the program and assistant coaches working countless hours behind the scenes. I have certainly been blessed over the years on both accounts.”

Sokaitis received Coach of the Year accolades a total of seven times including three times at North Adams State, twice at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, once at Western State College in Colorado, and now at Post University.

Two times in his career, in 1999 and again in 2002 while coaching at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Sokaitis was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Month.

The CACC Coach of the Year Award is voted on by each men's basketball coach in the conference indicating that Sokaitis is highly respected among his peers.