Al Sokaitis enters his fifth season as head coach in 2014-15. Sokaitis has more than 20 years of collegiate-level coaching experience and has served as a private instructor for NBA players. In addition to his duties at Post, Sokaitis was also named the head coach of the Tanzanian National Basketball team in 2012.
Over his four seasons in Waterbury, Sokaitis has led the Eagles to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Tournament each year, including a semifinal appearance in 2010-11. He has mentored six All-Conference honorees and was named CACC Coach of the Year in 2011. In 2012, Sokaitis was inducted into the Alaska State Hall of Fame and in the summer of 2013 earned a spot in the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 2012-13, Post got off to a hot start, winning eight of its first nine games and received votes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Top-25 for the first time ever.
Sokaitis has taken three different programs to six conference championships and seven NCAA Tournaments, including advancing to two regional finals. Sokaitis has been named Coach of the Year 11 times throughout his career, and was named NCAA National Coach of the Month twice. Additionally, Sokaitis has defeated eight Division I programs with a Division II team.
“My philosophy is not simply coaching this Post University basketball team, it is coaching a program that includes academics in conjunction with athletics,” said Sokaitis. “It is not only about being a good player on the floor, but also learning how to handle life in general, which is the key to success later in life.”
In addition to coaching five different college basketball programs including Western State College, Alaska Fairbanks, University of Southern Maine, and North Adams State College, Sokaitis coached the Alaska Dream in the ABA for one season. The Dream started the season ranked 24th and improved to become the second ranked team nationally.
Sokaitis has served as lead clinician at 13 consecutive NCAA Division I Final Fours, and most recently worked individually with David Lee of the New York Knicks who is now scoring more than 20 points per game in the NBA.
“Winning is not about my system, it's about fitting players into a style of play where they can be successful,” added Sokaitis. “Our team goal will be to win the league and the NCAA's, which calls for commitment, heart, and basketball IQ."
Off the court, Sokaitis’ resume is just as impressive. He has served as the United Way State Chairman in Alaska, was elected to Alaska’s Special Olympics Board of Directors, has served as a motivational speaker for the United States Army, and currently serves as the co-director of the Challenge Life Youth Foundation to help disadvantaged communities reach a higher level of mental and physical awareness.
