Joe Alberici loves working at Army, a place he calls “the greatest leadership institution in the world.” He’s going on 15 years with the Black Knights, and he has no plans to go elsewhere.

Alberici, an Italian through and through, is as compassionate a coach as there is in college lacrosse. He spoke with Paul Carcaterra about his passion for the Army lacrosse program and what makes the Army-Navy game so special.

Here are the top takeaways:

Alberici’s First College Lacrosse Game Featured Army

Alberici is an Upstate New York native and had seen the Iroquois Nationals play live as he was growing up, but he had never seen college lacrosse on television until 1984. That’s when he tuned into an NCAA semifinal matchup at the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse’s opponent that day? The Army Black Knights.

Alberici enjoyed watching the Nelson brothers take on an Army program which he’d later take over.

“It was a tremendous atmosphere, so there was the first college game I ever watched,” he said. “Fast forward 20-plus years, and I get a chance to be the head coach. A little bit of irony to all of that.”

Alberici’s Italian Roots

It’s not hard to see that Joe Alberici has a little Italian in him — Carcaterra himself made a joke about both last names ending in vowels. However, his family’s story is as authentic and true to the American dream as it gets.

Alberici’s grandfather, Gino, arrived at Ellis Island from Italy, hoping to start a new life in America. He traveled to Auburn to start a career and sent money back to Italy for his fiancée (and later wife) Giaconda to meet him in America, and she did so at 18.

Gino and Giaconda had five kids — the youngest of which was Gino, Joe Alberici’s father. Although his grandfather died before he was born, Alberici remembers the time spent at his grandmother’s house.

“I remember her with a walker,” he said. “She’d come around with the walker and make sure we had enough to eat. Then we’d all go out in the yard and play ball, then my Uncle Bruno would give us some snacks and treats and sodas. Then we’d head back home.”

He Witnessed the Rise of Duke Lacrosse Firsthand

After years of coaching at Oneonta and West Point, Alberici joined Mike Pressler’s staff as an assistant at Duke. In the late 1990s, Duke was a quality program, but one with a lot of room to grow.

“Coach was working with very minimal scholarships,” Alberici remembers. “Our home field had a port-o-potty. It was Duke, but they had not invested in it. Because of Coach, things started moving in our time together.”

The Blue Devils made the final four in 1997 and had a run of quarterfinal appearances leading into the new century. Alberici’s last season came in 2005, when Duke lost to Johns Hopkins by a goal in the national championship game.

That offseason, he took the head coach position at Army.

How Alberici Recruits his Players

The Army lacrosse program is unique in that it represents a major outlet for developing leaders at the historic institution. Alberici said most of the players he recruits didn’t grow up dreaming of serving in the Army but had the characteristics of leadership that fit at West Point.

In the recruiting process, Alberici tries to dispel the stereotypes of combat that accompany the U.S. Military Academy.

“It’s not about tanks. It’s about helicopters,” he said. “This is an institution of leadership. … We try to help recruits understand who we are. It’s very evident that lacrosse and athletics are an important part of this institution. [This program is] seen as a leadership laboratory.”

Can Army Win a National Championship?

The Army lacrosse program has had its success in the past, but it hasn’t reached a final four since 1984. Alberici has made it a goal to bring the program back to Memorial Day Weekend, much like its rival, Navy, did in 2004.

Alberici dreams of the day he can bring the Black Knights to the limelight.

“[Our institution] is a place that attracts people of great character,” he said. “Talent helps you win games, character helps you win championships. The fact that because of what this place is and because of what our lacrosse program is all about, that's what gives me my hope.”